Greenpeace had icy reception’

Press, 10 March 1987, Page 4

Greenpeace had icy reception’

PA Wellington An icy reception New Zealand authorities gave members of Greenpeace establishing a base in the Antarctic warranted a public investigation, said the expedition leader, Mr Peter Wilkinson, yesterday. The Greenpeace berthed at Wellington’s Overseas Passenger Terminal after successfully establishing a scientific base at Cape Evans, where four Greenpeace members will remain over winter. However, Mr Wilkinson said that success was hindered by unco-operative New Zealand authorities working at Scott Base and United States officials at the McMurdo Base. “Petty officialdom” on behalf of the New Zealanders and Americans, including the denial of landing rights for their helicopters, entry to bases, and weather information were deliberate efforts to stymie Greenpeace’s objectives. The lack of co-opera-

tion revolved round trivial issues, and the only reason for that seemed the fact that they were Greenpeace, he said. “Greenpeace was accused of interfering with other scientific projects on the ice, when in fact Greenpeace was denied entry to Scott Base to carry out sampling surveys. . “The boot should have been worn on the other foot We were safety conscious, careful not to interfere and simply at the bottom of the pile when it came to courtesy being handed out” Mr Wilkinson said. However, In spite of official refusal to enter Scott Base, Greenpeace exercised the right to freedom of access and entered the base as well as documenting five other bases in the Antartic. The Research director of the D.5.1.R., Antarctic Division, Mr Bob Thomson, yesterday denied Greenpeace allegations as false interpretations of what really happened.