Pacific Ocean, 7 July 1995, 12 noon NZ time -- The French warship currently
tailing the Rainbow Warrior suddenly changed course today in order to evade two
Greenpeace inflatables approaching the naval vessel to deliver a letter of
protest.
In an apparent attempt to disguise its presence, the French naval vessel also
turned off its navigation lights temporarily, in violation of maritime law.
The French warship is thought to be the Dumont D'Urville, which was last seen in Tahiti five days ago. The ship, which is armed with surface-to-air missiles, 40mm guns and carries a helicopter, has now resumed its position and is again monitoring the Rainbow Warrior from a distance of around 12 miles.
Greenpeace's Stephanie Mills said armed surveillance of the Rainbow Warrior would not deter Greenpeace from its protest mission to Moruroa.
"The threat of force and armed surveillance will not deter us from our non-violent protest to prevent the tests resuming at Moruroa," she said. "The French military may try to make a show of its military might, but they cannot stop the force of world opinion which is clearly opposed to nuclear testing."
The Rainbow Warrior is now under sail towards Moruroa and is expected to arrive near the 12 mile zone within the next two days.
Contact: Stephanie Mills on board the Rainbow Warrior 00872 1300312; Michael Szabo or Glyn Walters in Auckland on (09) 3776 128 or (025) 790 817.