Date: Wednesday 24th May. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GREENPEACE ACTIVISTS WHO OCCUPIED BRENT SPAR ARRIVE IN SHETLAND WHILE LEGAL EFFORTS TO STOP THE DUMPING CONTINUE IN LONDON

LONDON, 24 May, 1995, 1:30 BST -- (GP) The remaining Greenpeace activists who occupied the Brent Spar in protest of plans to dump the toxic oil platform at sea have just arrived in Shetland.

The first group of eight activists and six journalists were taken by Shell helicopter yesterday from the Stadive to Shetland. None of those returned have been charged. The remaining Greenpeace activists on the Stadive refused to leave until all were safely off the Brent Spar.

Shell told reporters that Jon Castle will be taken to Aberdeen this evening from Shetland and will then be released.

Greenpeace is currently in court proceedings in the High Court in London to attempt to challenge the government's decision to allow the dumping of the highly toxic and radioactive oil platform at sea.

"Although our occupation of the rig has ended, the fight to stop the dumping of the Brent Spar oil platform is not over yet," said Jan Rispens, one of Greenpeace's Brent Spar activists. "We continue to work to stop the dumping in the courts and at the North Sea Conference."

Criticism against Shell and the UK government's plan to dump the Brent Spar continues to grow with Germany adding its voice to those of the EU Environment Commissioner, European Parliament (EP), Denmark, Belgium, Iceland and even the UK's own Labour Party. The issue is likely to be hotly debated at the upcoming meeting of the North Sea Conference in Denmark (June 8-9).

"The occupation of the Spar has again highlighted Shell and the UK government's outrageous attitude towards our seas," Rispens said. "They seem determined to take the cheapest option rather than the safer alternative known to them."

Contact: Mary Morrison, Greenpeace Shetland: ++44(0)-1595-694-099
Simon Reddy, Greenpeace Aberdeen: ++44-0374-695-814
Blair Palese, Greenpeace Communications: ++44(0171)-833-0600

UK GOVERNMENT USES LEGAL TECHNICALITY TO BLOCK GREENPEACE CHALLENGE ON DUMPING OF BRENT SPAR

LONDON, 24 May 1995, 4 pm -- (GP) The High Court quashed any possibility of a Greenpeace challenge to the UK Government's decision to allow the dumping at sea of the Brent Spar oil platform in a British court today.

The UK Government and Shell had argued that the case should be heard in the Scottish courts. After nearly a full day in court, the judge ruled that the English courts had no jurisdiction over the case despite the fact that he agreed Greenpeace would have no standing in the Scottish courts. The judge suggested the case be taken to Scotland anyway.

"This decision, based on a legal technicality, means that no British court can hear Greenpeace challenge the Government. In effect it is a decision by the UK Government to allow Shell to dump toxic chemicals and radioactive waste at sea," said Madeleine Cobbing of Greenpeace. "If the Government could justify what it is doing it could defend itself in court. It is obviously too frightened to argue the case with Greenpeace."

Criticism against Shell and the UK Government's plan to dump the Brent Spar continues to grow with Germany adding its voice to those of the EU Environment Commissioner, European Parliament (EP), Denmark, Belgium, Iceland and even the UK's own Labour Party. The issue is likely to be hotly debated at the upcoming meeting of the North Sea Conference in Denmark (June 8-9).

"The UK Government can still stop the dumping of the Brent Spar if it has the courage to take the right decision. We call on them to respond to the International condemnation from other Governments, and cancel the dumping of the Brent Spar immediately."

As the last of the Brent Spar occupiers returned to the mainland, Greenpeace pledged to continue its campaign against the dumping of the Brent Spar and of all hazardous substances into the sea.

Calls from other North Sea States to eliminate the discharge of hazardous substances into the sea are still being resisted by the UK Government. A Greenpeace report* released tomorrow reveals that the UK is still the worst polluter of the North Sea.

Contact:
Sue Cooper, Greenpeace UK: (44) 0171 354 5100
Blair Palese, Greenpeace Communications: (44) 0171-833-0600

*"The North Sea - A Dirty Story" -- for copies, contact the numbers above.