IRAQ: GREENPEACE DEMONSTRATION OUTSIDE OFFICES OF THE U.S. ADMINISTRATOR IN BAGHDAD ABOUT THE CONTAMINATION FROM THE TUWAITHA NUCLEAR PLANT.
Record ID:
230549
IRAQ: GREENPEACE DEMONSTRATION OUTSIDE OFFICES OF THE U.S. ADMINISTRATOR IN BAGHDAD ABOUT THE CONTAMINATION FROM THE TUWAITHA NUCLEAR PLANT.
- Title: IRAQ: GREENPEACE DEMONSTRATION OUTSIDE OFFICES OF THE U.S. ADMINISTRATOR IN BAGHDAD ABOUT THE CONTAMINATION FROM THE TUWAITHA NUCLEAR PLANT.
- Date: 3rd July 2003
- Summary: (U3) BAGHDAD, IRAQ (JULY 4, 2003) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. WS: OF DEMONSTRATION, PEOPLE WITH BANNERS 0.05 2. CU: OF BANNER. 0.09 3. CU: OF BARREL CONTAINING "YELLOW CAKE" 0.13 4. CU: OF BANNER. 0.18 5. WS: ENTRANCE TO UNITED STATES ADMINISTRATION OFFICES. 0.23 6. MV: GREENPEACE DEMO 0.27 7. VARIOUS: OF GREENPEACE WORKERS TESTING SAMPLE. (4 SHOTS) 0.45 8. SCU: (SOUNDBITE) (English) GREENPEACE OFFICIAL, MIKE TOWNSLEY SAYING: "He has consistently denied that the radioactivity spread throughout the Tuwaitha community represents a public health threat. He has continually denied that there is any problem. Further he is blocking the international community from addressing that problem. He's got his head buried in the sand." 1.04 9. CU: GRENPEACE WORKER TESTING SAMPLE. 1.07 10. WS: GREENPEACE OFFICIAL AT THE DEMONSTRATION. 1.13 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 18th July 2003 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: BAGHDAD, IRAQ
- Country: Iraq
- Reuters ID: LVAEEFDDY89WCY58TZXCI8T8Z5Q4
- Story Text: Activists from the environmental group Greenpeace have
held a small demonstration outside the offices of the
U.S.-administrator for Iraq accusing him of ignoring the
people affected by contamination at a nuclear plant that was
looted during the war. They had earlier tried to hand over
radioactive material they had collected from residents.
The Greenpeace officials and activists were concerned
by the apparent lack of concern from the U.S. administrator
for Iraq, Paul Bremer.
The wanted to present a sample of "yellow cake"
radioactive material that they have been recovering from local
residents who lived near the Tuwaitha Nuclear Plant.
Greenpeace claim that the United States has not allowed
experts in to come and assess the extent of radiation after
slum dwellers went on a looting spree after the fall of
Saddam, unaware that the material they were carting away had
been storing radioactive material extremely hazardous to their
health.
"He has consistently denied that the radioactivity spread
throughout the Tuwaitha community represents a public health
threat. He has continually denied that there is any problem.
Further he is blocking the international community from
addressing that problem. He's got his head buried in the
sand," said Mike Townsley on Friday (July 4).
Most of Tuwaitha residents carted away what they saw as
attractive and had no idea of their scientific or other value.
One resident reportedly kept the radioactive material inside
their family shack for about six weeks.
Local doctors have reported rising cases of people showing
signs of radiation sickness like nose bleeds and vomiting in
the past five days.
Bremer did not meet the Greenpeace official.
Greenpeace has been conducting surveys in the area in the
recent past and said that contamination levels were so high
that their counters were almost beeping continuously.
Scientists with Greenpeace say that more action should be
taken by the Americans or UN experts should be allowed access
to avert a major ecological disaster.
- Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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