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MEDIA RELEASE: Australian Conservation Foundation: 
http://www.peg.apc.org/~acfenv

ACF calls uranium sales to Indonesia madness
--------------------------------------------
The Australian Conservation Foundation today called the comments by
Resources Minister Senator Warwick Parer advocating the sale of uranium 
to
Indonesia as sheer madness.

Executive Director, Jim Downey, said "Selling uranium to Indonesia is a
recipe for disaster in terms of the environment and health.

"Indonesia is one of the world's geologically most unstable countries.
Nuclear power generation in this densely populated area on Australia's
doorstep is a high risk proposition with no nuclear reactor safe from
earthquakes or volcanic activity. Northern Australia could itself be 
subject
to radioactive fallout from an accident.

"Sales to Indonesia would also involve opening new uranium mines in 
places
such as Kakadu National Park.

"And despite assurances there are still no failsafe guarantees to ensure
long term storage of nuclear waste - and may be pressure on Australia to 
be
Indonesia's waste depository - nor an absolute guarantee that Australian
uranium won't end up in weapons.

"Australia needs to take moral leadership on this issue, not run after 
the
first scent of a market opportunity".

Further information: 
Jim Downey (03) 9416 1166 or 018 360423 or
Michael Krockenberger (03) 416 1166 or 0419 373002
---
Australian Conservation Foundation
340 Gore Street
Fitzroy VIC 3065
Melbourne, Australia
Tel: (03) 9416 1166
Fax: (03) 9416 0767
Email: acfenv@peg.apc.org
WWW: http://www.peg.apc.org/~acfenv