GREENPEACE wants local yachtsmen to join a peaceful protest against a nuclear shipment passing the island. The US and French governments are planning to transport up to 150kg of weapons-grade plutonium from New Mexico to Cherbourg.
It will pass within 20 miles of Guernsey and eight miles of Alderney.
‘If we get a few local boats going, that would be great,’ said local Greenpeace activist Jon Castle, who is currently living in England.
‘When the ships come, it’s going to be a very peaceful protest, just yachts, so the public can witness the moral outrage. There won’t be any attempts to stop them because it’s not appropriate in this case.’
He added that the island was tied into the nuclear system through its cable link with France and so was morally responsible.
‘We’re just a small island and voice, but it’s important for witnessing and to make a moral commitment to make our voice known.’
It was important not to be complacent and take the matter lying down, he added.
‘We deserve a voice in it and the more we do it together, the better.’
The shipment is being undertaken as part of the US and Russian programme to dispose of weapons-grade plutonium.
It is being shipped to France by the Department of Energy because there is no US facility capable of manufacturing it into experimental plutonium fuel, mixed oxide fuel.
‘We’re against the Mox fuel because you generate more waste and you have to transport it all across the water. Once you’ve got this stuff, you should keep it there for 20,000 years.’
Two Greenpeace yachts, the Akela and Rori, are currently in St Peter Port Harbour to help raise the profile of the campaign.
They will be travelling on Saturday to Cherbourg, where 20 others are already set to protest, in an attempt to generate more interest through means such as street theatre.
Mr Castle, who will take his 31ft yacht, the Eowyn May, on the protest, said the island should get involved because it is part of the global community.
‘And also because it’s passing through our waters and no one bothers to ask us what we think.
‘The Yanks have decided to do a trade in plutonium and it’s passing within a few miles of the coast of Guernsey.’
The plutonium will be transported 1,500 miles across the US to the Charleston Naval Weapons Station in South Carolina.
From there it will undertake the 4,100-mile trip to Cherbourg in the two ships, Pacific Pintail and Pacific Teal.
Trucks will take the plutonium 700 miles to Marseilles, where it will be processed and taken back to Cherbourg and the same ships used to take it back to America.
‘Occasionally it’s just the actions of a few people that make a spark and it can take off, so it’s good to give it a go,’ said Mr Castle.
Article posted on 18th August, 2004 - 12.00am
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