Environmental
group Greenpeace has voiced concern over a planned shipment of plutonium from
the US to France, adding to worries already expressed in Congress this week. The
group expressed fears over the security of the transit, and potential for
accidental or terrorist incidents en route. Congressmen Jim Turner and Edward
Markey also questioned the protection of the shipment.The 140 kilogram cargo is set to be shipped from South Carolina to Cherbourg, where it will then be transported for processing in the south of France.
"This shipment is unnecessary and dangerous and must be stopped," said Tom Clements of Greenpeace International. "While on the one hand Bush is voicing his concerns about international terrorism and security, on the other he is pushing forward this dangerous plan to ship nuclear material around the world. It's a relief to hear these ill-conceived plans being questioned."