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Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2001 20:14:31 -0000
From: [log in to unmask]
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To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [wa-afr] [Lonely Planet] Africa Becomes Nuclear Dumping Ground

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/scoop/afr/eri.htm

Travel News Review

11 May '01

Africa Becomes Nuclear Dumping Ground

A recent study by an independent Italian investigative agency has
revealed that Africa is fast becoming a dumping ground for the
radioactive waste of rich Western countries. According to the report,
thousands of tons of deadly substances are regularly unloaded off the
coasts of Somalia, Sudan, Eritrea, Algeria and Mozambique in a
lucrative 'eco-mafia' ring worth an estimated US$7 billion per year.
The Italian environmental organization, Ligambiente 2001, claims that
over 600,000 tons of radioactive material are currently lying on the
ocean floor off the western Sahara coast alone. In addition, three of
the world's largest illegal dumping grounds are located in Somalia,
where forced laborers are made to handle the waste without any
protective clothing or equipment.

Sources say radioactive rubbish is transported in heavy metal
containers via cargo vessel and simply thrown overboard at its
destination, where it sinks to to bottom of the sea. Lloyds of London
is currently looking into several cases in which ships carrying
radioactive waste to African coastal areas are believed to have been
deliberately sunk and then reported as accidents. At present, there
are no heavy penalties for the illegal trafficking of waste;
violators are subject only to minor administrative sanctions, which
pale in comparison to the enormous profits generated by this new form
of environmental and humanitarian crime.



Our next meeting is Wednesday, July 25, Safeco Jackson St. Center, 23rd S and S Main, Suite 200, Seattle
7:00 PM WASAN business meeting
7:30 PM Program: "Prep for WOMAD: Primer on African Music"
We usually meet the last Wednesday of the month. For a calendar of local Africa events see www.ibike.org/africamatters/calendar.htm .  To post a message: [log in to unmask]  To subscribe sending a message to [log in to unmask]  To unsubscribe send a message to [log in to unmask] . The egroup's archives are at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wa-afr-network

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