Date: Wednesday 28th June.
COOK ISLANDS GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS RAINBOW WARRIOR MISSION
Rarotonga, Cook Islands, Wednesday June 21 (GP):- The Cook Islands Government today endorsed the Rainbow Warrior's mission of protest against French nuclear testing as the ship arrived in Rarotonga this morning.
The Deputy Prime Minister welcomed the ship on behalf of the Cook Islands Government, along with a large crowd of local elders and church leaders, school children, a traditional dance party and local environmental activists.
"Make no mistake, these people are here not to protest, but to support your voyage," Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Inatio Akaruru told the ship's crew. "The Cook Islands Government and its people support your mission and wish you well."
The Rainbow Warrior is calling at the Cook Islands en route to the French nuclear test site at Moruroa atoll in French Polynesia.
"We are here to show our support for Pacific nations' protest against a resumption of French testing, and to appeal to the United States, Britain and France to respect the wishes of Pacific peoples and sign the Treaty of Rarotonga," Greenpeace's Stephanie Mills said. The Treaty, banning nuclear tests and declaring the South Pacific a nuclear free zone, was signed in 1985, but these three nuclear weapon states have refused to sign its protocols.
Greenpeace sent a message to President Clinton of the U.S. and Prime Minister John Major of Britain today, urging them to sign the Treaty urgently as a signal of their commitment to an end to testing and a comprhensive test ban treaty.
"By signing the Treaty, the two nuclear weapons states could indicate to France that its position on testing is isolated and out of step both with Pacific island nations and the rest of the international community," Mills said.
She said a delegation from the Rainbow Warrior crew would meet the Cook Islands Prime Minister, Sir Geoffrey Henry, tomorrow (Thursday) to discuss further steps that could be taken by Pacific Island nations to urge President Chirac of France to reverse his decision.
Contact: Stephanie Mills on board the SV Rainbow Warrior +872 1300 312 Blair Palese, Greenpeace Communications, London +44 171 833 0600 Glyn Walters, Greenpeace Pacific, Auckland, +64 9 3776 128
Footage and photos of the Rainbow Warrior's arrival into
Rarotonga are available. Please contact Greenpeace Communications
or Glyn Walters for details.
Rarotonga, Cook Islands, Friday June 23rd (GP):- A march protesting against French testing from the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior to the Avarua town centre today drew record crowds.
The Prime Minister, Sir Geoffrey Henry addressed more than 1500 people -- nearly one quarter of Rarotonga's 8000 population --in the civic centre. The crowd included representatives of sports codes, the churches, the public service and traditional leaders. Local observers said the march was the biggest ever seen on Rarotonga.
A colourful crowd, with women singing traditional songs, a band and a wide range of home-made banners, walked the half-mile from the wharf to the civic centre to express their peaceful protest at French testing.
The Prime Minister said protest against French tests would
continue, and urged all the churches to pray for President Chirac
to find the courage to reverse his decision to resume nuclear
testing.
Contact for further information:
Stephanie Mills, SV Rainbow Warrior, +872 1300312 Glyn Walters or Michael Szabo, Greenpeace, Auckland +64 9 3776 128 or +025 790 817. Blair Palese, Greenpeace Communications, London +44 171 833 0600
Pictures of the protest are available via Reuters or AFP. Footage will be available shortly: please contact Glyn Walters for further information.