For interviews contact: Angenette Heffernan, Greenpeace campaigner, 992 2044 Emma Tagicakibau, Pacific Concerns Resources Centre: 3303 469

 http://www.greenpeace.org.au/media/nukes_details.php?site_id=11&news_id=690
NGOs join forces to protest nuclear shipments
Monday, 17 June, 2002 : Members of Fiji church and community groups today asked the Japanese government not to send nuclear materials through the Pacific region as the Fiji Government registered its strong opposition to the shipments in Senate. Members of the NGO Coalition on Human Rights this morning held a peaceful protest outside the Japanese Embassy in downtown Suva, and delivered a message to the Japanese government; “don’t turn the Pacific into a nuclear highway.”
***

Australia as the supplier of 50% of Japan's uranium has a responsibility and a capacity to protect the rights of our Pacific Island neighbours.

 http://www.greenpeace.org.au/media/nukes_details.php?site_id=11&news_id=692
Senate leads way on nuclear shipments, it's time for Government to follow
Thursday, 20 June, 2002 : Greenpeace welcomes today's Senate resolution calling on the government to stop the shipment of radioactive material through the region- and urges the Government to follow suit.

"The Senate has displayed the sort of leadership the Government needs to be showing on behalf of our Pacific Island neighbours, who will see the faulty fuel shipped through their exclusive economic zones despite their opposition," said Greenpeace nuclear campaigner, Stephen Campbell. "This shipment poses all kinds of environmental and security risks".
***

 http://www.nuclearfreeflotilla.org/press.htm
for Flotilla info. There are Flotilla around globe and in the Irish sea for when/if the shipment make it "safely" through the high seas...(winter on the Cape)



The route the return shipment will take from Japan back to the UK is still unknown, but whichever route it takes a protest flotilla will be there to meet it. If it is the Pacific and Tasman Sea route the shipment is expected to pass through the protest zone in mid July. At least eight boats are preparing in Australia, Vanuatu and New Zealand to form a symbolic chain across international waters to protest the shipment through the Pacific and Tasman Sea.

The quality of the French plutonium MOX, delivered to Japan last year has also been called into question. Public referenda and concerns over the use of MOX in Japanese reactors have meant no MOX fuel that has been delivered to Japan has been used.
***

 http://archive.greenpeace.org/pressreleases/nuctrans/2002apr26.html
"The industry is creating a floating terrorist target and a dangerous hazard simply in order for BNFL to be able to get new contracts with its Japanese customers. This would result in yet more shipments of plutonium fuel, perhaps as many as 80 over the next decade," Mr Burnie said.