The blockade has now been in place for three days. Tensions have been building, but it looks as if the barricades will be lifted today. Protest marches have also taken place on five other islands and on Tahiti the marches actually began more than a week ago and circumnavigated the island. The people are demanding a referendum on the subject of a resumption of nuclear testing: a fair enough demand, as they are the people who must live with the immediate and long-term consequences of the testing. There is tremendous feeling over this issue and concern for their children and children to come.
For the Rainbow Warrior, apart from active participation in the various anti-nuclear demonstrations, it is a time for last minute preparations. The ship is fully supplied again, to sail for who knows how long? Using the medium of the local press, it is made quite clear to us that the military authorities will not tolerate the ship entering the military exclusion zone around the atoll. What is in store for us remains an open book...
Alice Leney