Spanish Government reduces bond for Greenpeace flagship
Rainbow Warrior free to continue campaign to save the world’s forests
Madrid, Spain. 4 July 2003—Greenpeace received word this afternoon, that the Government of Spain through its Ministry of
Public Works and Transport has resolved to lower the bond that was placed on the organisation’s flagship, the Rainbow
Warrior, from €300,000 to €6,000.
In the official communiqué from the Spanish authorities, the Ministry admitted that “ the amount [€300,000] corresponds
to a violation of ‘very grave’ character”, that “ The facts that have given way to the current measures have not tended
to secure any personal profit or interest, therefore the existence of any commercial or lucrative gain is discarded” and
that “it should be taken into account the time which has already transpired since June 13, when the ship was detained in
the port, and the inherent consequences of said detention all parties have suffered.”
Greenpeace will deposit this bond as soon as possible to allow the ship to depart the Port of Valencia and continue its
campaign to protect the world’s last remaining ancient forests. Moreover, Greenpeace will appeal to the appropriate
courts as the facts contained within the process have already been tried.
“Common sense has finally prevailed,” said Juan Lopez de Uralde, executive director of Greenpeace in Spain. “In any
case, we will continue to defend in the courts the illegality of this case, but the ship must continue its work to
protect the ancient forests and the environment.”
The reduction in the amount of the bond, comes after weeks of international pressure to demand the release of the
Rainbow Warrior. On 2 July, activists in 14 cities around the world protested in front of Spanish embassies. Also, over
30,000 Greenpeace supports world-wide sent e-mails to the Spanish government asking for the release of the ship.
The Rainbow Warrior was detained by Spanish authorities on 13 June after activists carried out a peaceful, non-violent
protest against the timber transport ship, Honour. The Honour was carrying timber from Cameroon, belonging to companies
known to be involved in illegal and destructive logging. After the demonstration, the Rainbow Warrior was boarded by the
Spanish Civil Guard and detained in the Port of Valencia.
Greenpeace International Press Office pcuonzo@ams.greenpeace.org