Namibia's nuclear nightmare

Since July 1987 Liverpool dock workers refused to handle shipments of Namibian and South African uranium. They are hoping to extend the blockade to other ports in Britain. The recipients of the uranium hexafluoride, British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. (BNFL) have had to find other routes for their shipments of uranium. The main argument for not allowing access to Namibian uranium is to protect Namibia's natural resources, but it is also a stand against aparteid. URENCO, a uranium enrichment consortium with British participation is accused by the United Nations Council for Namibia of processing Namibian uranium at its Dutch plant. Writs have been served but it may be 1989 before the hearings take place. An effective blockade is called for throughout Britain. The routes by which movement of uranium from South Africa takes place is shown schematically. (UK)