From: Greenpeace Vessel SV Rainbow Warrior
Date: Wednesday 5-JUL-95 19:20:44 GMT
Subject: Internet diary

UPDATE FROM HEREHERETUE - "GREY FRIEND" ON THE HORIZON

We have been joined by a "friend" keeping a 12 mile distance on the horizon -- a French warship of some kind (too far away to identify but probably a frigate). It is maintaining a steady distance from us.

We have arrived off the island paradise of Hereheretue (population of approximately 20!), where some of the crew will go ashore to be welcomed by the inhabitants. This visit is a courtesy call at the request of the mayor of the island, as we visited them in 1992 to take some "control" samples of coral and biota before going on to Moruroa.

Hereheretue is a classical coral atoll, a ring of coral with a few small motu (islands) along the ring covered with coconut trees. It is a contrast with Moruroa in many ways -- a pacific island in the real sense of the word, with no installations, military personnel, reef and lagoon damage etc.

The local people are coming out to take us over the reef (the pass is only about 1.5 metres wide, so the RW is moored outside), and we will have lunch with them before proceeding onwards later today.

Cheers,
Stephanie