Latest New Zealand News
Protesters says no to plutonium
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/irnstorydisplay.cfm?storyID=37700&newsection=3&newsubsection=
18.02.2001 12:00

A flotilla of ships is preparing to leave the Bay of Islands at midday today to protest as two boats carrying plutonium fuel pass through the Tasman Sea.

The plutonium ships are travelling from France to Japan but must avoid both New Zealand and Australian economic waters.

Crewman on board flotilla ship Siome , Dr Tony Atkinson says the ships will chain together and stretch across the ocean.

He says they will spread out up to 17-kilometres apart to cross over the fuel boats path.

Dr Atkinson says the flotilla ships leave today following a blessing from local Maori, politicians and public.

He says the crews are hoping their protest will lead people to ask why.

Dr Tony Atkinson says the reason they are sailing to protest is to alert people to the danger the ships pose to this country as they pass through.

He says it is a symbolic protest and participants are hoping people will at least ask why it is being done.

Bulletin supplied by IRN Limited © 2001 IRN Limited.