christic@labrea.Stanford.EDU (06/12/91)
/* Written 5:01 pm Jun 8, 1991 by gn:nenig in cdp:pn.alerts */ /* ---------- "Stop Nuclear Marine Pollution" ---------- */ We need your help in an URGENT issue for the protection of our seas. At present the dumping of radioactive waste (and other toxic wastes), UNDER the seabed, with access from the land, is not controlled by any international convention. Several countries are considering such proposals, including the UK for its huge stockpile of radioactive waste. If radioactive waste is allowed to be dumped UNDER the seabed, it is likely countries will also want to dump other hazardous wastes under the seabed. The Paris Commission is the international, inter-government convention which controls marine pollution from land-based sources in the Atlantic Ocean (north of 36N and east of 42W), North Sea, Arctic Ocean, Barents Sea and the Greenland Sea. At its 1991 meeting in The Hague, Netherlands, on 17 - 20 June, Iceland, Norway and Denmark are sponsoring a proposal to bring the dumping of radioactive wastes, under the seabed, into the control on the Paris Commission and to prevent any dumping if radioactive substances will leak into the marine environment. If the recommendation is adopted it would be a major step forward in protecting the seas. If your country is a member of the Paris Commission we need your help to persuade your Government to support this recommendation at the June meeting. Please use whatever methods you find appropriate. Any help you can give would be appreciated. Please inform us either by telephone/post/fax/or Greennet of responses from your Government. If you require any further information please contact us. This is urgent - the Paris Commission meeting starts 17 June. Thanks for your help - Chris Bunyan and Rose Young Campaign Directors NENIG --------------------------------------------------------- * The member countries of the Paris Convention for the Prevention of Marine Pollution from Land-Based Sources are: Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, UK, France, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, and the European Commission. -------------- * The dumping of radioactive wastes INTO the sea, or INTO the seabed is controlled by and banned at present by the London Dumping Convention, an inter-governmental convention which regulates marine pollution from sea-based sources (such as ships and oil rigs). -------------- * NENIG, the Northern European Nuclear Information Group, is based in the Shetland Islands and works on marine pollution, particularly radioactive pollution and the nuclear issues of reprocessing, radioactive waste and the transportation of radioactive materials. We have two staff and work primarily with Scandinavian governments, MPs, and fishing and trades union organisations. We are financed by Greenpeace International, the Faroe and Iceland Governments and Shetland Islands Council. ---------------- * NENIG, Bain's Beach, Commercial Street, Lerwick, Shetland, UK, ZE1 OAN. Telephone: +44 (0)595 4099. Fax: +44 (0)595 4082. Greennet: nenig Home telephone numbers for staff: Chris Bunyan +44 (0) 595 71 449. Rose Young +44 (0) 595 71 339. ---------------------------------------------------------