GIBRALTAR GOVERNMENT OPPOSES SUBMARINE REPAIR

The Gibraltar Government has just spoken out opposing the repairs because the Ministry of Defence has refused to show them its safety case. A protest is being planned to take place in Gibraltar on Monday.

Scottish CND called on the Ministry of Defence not to begin repairs on HMS Tireless which are due to start in Gibraltar on Monday. The nuclear powered submarine suffered a serious loss of coolant accident on 12th May and was taken to Gibraltar. There has been strong opposition there to plans to repair the reactor in Gibraltar harbour. 1,500 people and 35 boats took part in a protest on Tuesday 15 August.

"The Ministry of Defence are totally ignoring the wishes of the citizens of Gibraltar in the same way they have consistently ignored the people of Scotland in their opposition to nuclear submarines. They are keeping secret from everyone the true risks of their nuclear fleet" said John Ainslie, Administrator of Scottish CND

Scottish CND has been providing advice to local people and lawyers in Gibraltar and we have written reports on the issue in general and the technical problems.

Further details of the situation in Gibraltar are in the local news section of www.iberianews.com and www.panorama.gi