From: Greenpeace Vessel SV Rainbow Warrior
Date: Thursday 29-JUN-95 02:17:26 GMT
Subject: Press Release
3pm local time, 29 June 1995, Papeete:- French authorities today refused to allow the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior to dock at the main public quay in Papeete, as more than 15,000 Tahitian anti-nuclear protesters blocked roads demanding an end to nuclear testing and a berth for the Rainbow Warrior at the public quay.
The Rainbow Warrior was initially due to dock at the Quai D'Honneur at 10am this morning. However the French authorities barred the ship from berthing there late last night. This morning, more than 15,000 protestors who had been due to welcome the ship set up human road blocks on all roads into Papeete, paralysing the city. French authorities also reportedly flew in 200 riot police from New Caledonia for today's protest.
The Rainbow Warrior is calling into Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia, to support local protest against a resumption of French nuclear testing at Moruroa atoll, 650 miles east of Tahiti.
Greenpeace's Jean-Luc Thierry said:
"President Chirac must listen to the concern and outrage of the people of Tahiti, whose land and sea are being violated by yet more nuclear tests."
Stephanie Mills, campaign coordinator aboard, said France had tried to suppress public opposition to nuclear testing by intimidation by riot police and harrassment of the Rainbow Warrior.
"Clearly this has failed. The people of Tahiti will not be silenced in their condemnation of nuclear testing. French authorities have used the pretext of a threat to public order to try and stop the people of Tahiti from welcoming the Rainbow Warrior. Ironically, the public order problem is of their own creation: first, because of the decision to resume nuclear testing, and secondly because of a petty decision to restrict access to the ship and prevent Greenpeace crew joining a peaceful demonstration."
The Rainbow Warrior is now moored in a temporary anchorage in the middle of Papeete harbour, pending a decision by the authorities. Meanwhile, Greenpeace crew plan to join the demonstration outside the French High Commission in Papeete this afternoon.
Two crew members deported from Tahiti in 1992 after a previous protest voyage by the Rainbow Warrior have been banned from landing in Tahiti. The two, Stephanie Mills and Philip Pupuka, have been informed that they will be deported on the first plane out if they go ashore.
Mills said such banning orders would not stop Greenpeace's protest. She said sustained protest in Tahiti was necessary, together with opposition in France and around the world, to overturn President Chirac's decision.
While in Tahiti, Greenpeace plans to meet with local anti-nuclear groups, community leaders and Tahitian authorities. Tahitian activists have staged almost daily protests over the past ten days.
The Rainbow Warrior is scheduled to depart Papeete for Moruroa early next week. Leading anti-nuclear activists in Tahiti will join the ship on its protest voyage to Moruroa, including the mayor of Faa'a and independence leader Oscar Temaru, and a representative of Hiti Tau (a local anti-nuclear group), Pastor Temarama Arapari.
Meanwhile Foreign Minister Gareth Evans is in New Zealand for talks with the New Zealand government on the response of South Pacific nations to the proposed resumption of French nuclear testing in the Pacific.
Contact: Jean-Luc Thierry, Stephanie Mills, Steve Sawyer aboard the SV Rainbow Warrior + 0011-872 1300312
Footage of the Rainbow Warrior's arrival is available from AP TV and BBC.