Close Johnston incinerator, says Greenpeace

AUCKLAND -- “No number of scientific teams to Johnston Atoll will change the fact that an incinerator is an incinerator and there isn't one on the planet that burns cleanly”, said Bunny McDiarmid, Greenpeace spokesperson, in response to the May 27 announcement that scientists from Pacific Forum countries would visit the atoll's facility for destruction of chemical weapons.

“It is understandable that the Pacific wants to ensure that all possible safety precautions are being taken, but the only foolproof precautionary action open to the US is to shut the place down.”

Following negotiations with the US, a team of scientists is to visit Johnston Atoll in June to monitor the facility, built to incinerate stockpiles of chemical weapons.

The construction and operation of the facility caused widespread opposition in the Pacific. It has been plagued by shutdowns and problems since it began operating last year; in fact, the visit of the scientific team has been delayed by a shutdown. -- Greenpeace/Pegasus

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