FINAL SOLO MEDIA UPDATE WHILE TRACKING NUCLEAR WASTE SHIP

PACIFIC PINTAIL OFF JAPANESE COAST SOLO LEAVES PACIFIC PINTAIL AND STEAMS FOR TOKYO

After the Japanese nuclear industry and government confirmed the arrival of the Pacific Pintail and its radioactive waste on April 25th in Mutsu Ogawara in the Japanese province of Aomori, the Greenpeace vessel Solo has changed course and is currently heading for Tokyo. Solo is expected to arrive in Tokyo on April 21st, where a press-conference will be held on Saturday April 22nd, on board at 1300 local time in Tokyo Harbour to discuss the Pintail's controversial journey. We left the Pacific Pintail this morning at 1000 GMT after 56 days tracking her at sea.

At 11:00 GMT the Pintail was in position 32 degrees and 17 minutes North and 154 degrees and 04 minutes East. The Pintail is sailing towards Mutsu Ogawara in Aomori Prefecture, on a course of 310 degrees at a speed of 9.5 knots. Given this course and speed, Greenpeace expects the Pacific Pintail to arrive late on the 23th of April.

During the past days it has become clear that the nuclear waste ship could reach Mutsu Ogawara the morning of the 22nd of April, should the ship sail at its normal operating speed of 13 knots. The delay of the Pacific Pintail is most likely to be due to government fears that the arrival of the radioactive waste could effect the outcome of the local elections in the region on April 23rd.

This final Pacific Pintail position update from the Solo concludes a long tracking voyage of 56 days. During this journey, many countries have spoken out against this particular and future shipments of radioactive waste and plutonium through their waters. Many more will follow if the nuclear industry continues to ignore public and governmental opposition to its irresponsible practices.

Greenpeace will continue work with countries and grass-roots organizations over possible shipping routes of future departures from Europe and Japan of ships--owned by Pacific Nuclear Transport Limited (PNTL)--that carry nuclear waste, spent nuclear fuel and plutonium, as part of our campaign against plutonium production and radioactive waste generation.

Greenpeace strongly condemns the Japanese nuclear industry in its reluctance to halt plutonium separation. Japan is jeopardizing global security by producing and stockpiling enormous amounts of commercial plutonium since this encourages other countries to follow Japan's example. With the radioactive pollution caused by the separation of plutonium the nuclear industry is gambling with the lives of people not only in Japan but also in France and the United Kingdom. The industry also deliberately exposes the public in coastal nations to the effects of a possible nuclear waste ship accident. Furthermore, it should be noted that shipments of commercial plutonium and radioactive waste constitute prime targets for terrorist attacks.

In New York this week the Review and Extension Conference of the- Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) has begun. The 170 States party to the Treaty will vote on extending the NPT after discussing the prevention of the spread of nuclear weapons, weapons technology and materials in the context of full nuclear disarmament and global security. Unless the international community seriously commits itself to nuclear disarmament and an end to the spread of nuclear technology, the spiral of nuclear proliferation could continue indefinitely.

Fifty years after the bombing of Hiroshima, this NPT conference is an opportunity to say, enough is enough. Greenpeace calls on states to oppose an indefinite extension of the Treaty and to demand for a series of NPT extension periods linked to a firm and real timetable for nuclear disarmament. Instead of following a policy of encouragement of weapons-usable, commercial plutonium production, Japan should take the leadership role in the international community to end the production and stockpiling of this dangerous material.

If information on the Pacific Pintail's voyage or it's cargo of plutonium waste is required, please contact Bas Bruyne on the Solo (phone:++ 872-1301166--Warning, $10 per minute). Photo, video, or other media requests to Greenpeace Communications (phone: ++44-171-8330-600).

For information in Japan, and on the Solo's press conference contact Greenpeace Japan, Damon Moglen at ++81-3-5351-5400 or John Willis at ++81-3-5351-5416.

Best regards and No Nukes!
Ulf Birgander (Captain)
Bas Bruyne (Campaigner)