From: Greenpeace vessel MV Solo tracking Pacific Pintail
Date: FRI 7-APR-95 18:52:43 GMT - DAY 44, PART II

PLUTONIUM WASTE CONTINUES THROUGH PACIFIC FOR JAPAN

hide random home http://www.greenpeace.org/~comms/44.html (Einblicke ins Internet, 10/1995)

The Pacific Pintail's position (1900 GMT) is 06 degrees 23 minutes North, and 148 degrees and 30 minutes West. The Pintail's course is 310 degrees and the ship's speed is 14 knots. For distances to Pacific Islands please see enclosed table.

The radioactive waste onboard of the Pintail was generated by the commercial plutonium production programs of France, the UK and Japan. The trade in plutonium is extremely dangerous to current non-proliferation objectives since commercial plutonium can directly be used for nuclear weapons purposes. No international regime currently exists to limit the production and trade in this fissile material. The Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Extension Conference (April 17, New York) is expected to debate the subject of plutonium trade. France, Japan and the United Kingdom have repeatedly expressed their resistance to any restraints on their commercial proliferation activities.

Greenpeace is calling for a world-wide ban on the production of all plutonium, both military and commercial. The organization is encouraging countries around the world to call for a halt to the plutonium industry at the NPT Conference. Greenpeace is also calling on all Pacific Island States to withstand the pressure of nuclear weapon states and to oppose an indefinite extension of the Treaty which is tatamount to maintaining the nuclear status quo. Pacific States will play a crucial role during the final vote on the modality of the Treaty's extension. An indefinite extension would protect the nuclear weapon states and their ability to threathen global security with their nuclear forces. France, the United Kingdom as well as the other nuclear weapon states have actively promoting an indefinite extension of the NPT.

Direction and distances of the radioactive waste shipment with the Pacific Pintail to some of Pacific Island States. The Pacific Pintail sails per day a distance of approximately 330 nautical miles.
Pacific State City/Island Distance/Direction relative to PP's course

Hawaii Honolulu 1,050 miles, 18 degrees right of PP
Islas Marquisas Ua-Huka 1,060 miles, 160 degrees left of PP
Tahiti Papeete 1,430 miles, 130 degrees left of PP
Kiribati Bairiki 2,330 miles, 50 degrees left of PP
Nauru Nauru Island 2,710 miles, 50 degrees left of PP
Western Samoa Apia 1,850 miles, 80 degrees left of PP
American Samoa Pago Pago 1,820 miles, 80 degrees left of PP
Tonga Nuku'Alofa 2,250 miles, 90 degrees left of PP
Tuvalu Funafuti 2,150 miles, 65 degrees left of PP
Fiji Suva 2,460 miles, 80 degrees left of PP
Solomon Isl. Honiara 3,250 miles, 60 degrees left of PP
Vanuatu Palikulo Bay 2,970 miles, 65 degrees left of PP
F.S. Micronesia Pohnpei 3,200 miles, 40 degrees left of PP
Marshall Isl. Bikini 2,760 miles, 35 degrees left of PP
Guam Guam 3,980 miles, 35 degrees left of PP
The Greenpeace paper "The Right to Control Passage of Nuclear Transport Vessels Under International Law" is available from Greenpeace International, or as a hypertext document. Return to the home page and access the Multilateral Treaties page or go directly to: http://www.xs4all.nl/~duncanc/nuk-law.html

For additional information on the Pacific Pintail's voyage or it's cargo of plutonium waste, contact Bas Bruyne on the Solo (phone: ++872-1301166--WARNING $10 PER MINUTE), or Karen Richardson at Greenpeace UK (phone: ++44-171-226-3151). Photo, video, or other media requests to Blair Palese at Greenpeace Communications (phone: ++44-171-833-0600).

Best regards and No Nukes!
Ulf Birgander (Captain)
Bas Bruyne (Campaigner)

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