彩虹勇士號仍未獲准泊岸
【本報訊】
環保署未表態礙行程
曾於2005年訪港的彩虹勇士號，
張韻琪批評現行需要一個政府部門書面支持的規限，
政府發言人表示，已按一貫程序處理綠色和平申請。
東方日報
| 環團旗艦申請來港未獲批 |
【本報訊】曾於○五年訪港的綠色和平旗艦「彩虹勇士號」
綠色和平項目經理張韻琪表示，該會去年十一月向產業署申請，
張指出，「彩虹勇士號」原定下月七日訪港，並計劃於同月十二日、
South China Morning Post
Officials blamed for Greenpeace ship delay
Greenpeace
has accused the Hong Kong government of obstructing its application for
a berth for its flagship Rainbow Warrior II, which is due to visit the
city in two weeks on her farewell voyage.
The environmental group said formal approval had not yet been
secured from the Environmental Protection Department despite more than
two months of processing.
The ship, which is now visiting Taiwan,
is due to be in Hong Kong for about three weeks for a series of
educational campaigns and activities to promote environmental protection
- as part of its farewell voyage after 21 years of service on the high
seas. Greenpeace said it had applied to the Government Property Agency
in November for a licence for a berth at a public pier in Central.
Various government units consulted by the agency said they had no
objection in principle to the licence, Greenpeace said it had been told.
But, according to government internal guidelines, the agency still
needs to secure a positive approval from another government department
before a licence can be granted.
Greenpeace campaigner Gloria
Chang Wan-ki said: We learned the agency has asked the Environmental
Protection Department for formal approval, but there has not been any
word from the department so far.
The department is supposed to encourage and facilitate green
activities - and Greenpeace is a world-known environmental group. We do
not understand why the department has taken so long, she said.
Senior
officials from the Environment Bureau had declined invitations to
attend the welcoming ceremony or guided tours of the ship during its
stay in Hong Kong, she said.
We appreciate that they are busy people. But it is a bit strange that not even one of them can be available, Chang added.
The
green group, known for its eye-catching protests, embarrassed Donald
Tsang Yam-kuen by hanging a huge wanted banner emblazoned with his face
on a government offices building in Central, saying the chief executive
was a climate fugitive, as he had failed to launch any policy to combat
climate change. In November, activists from the group hung a huge
anti-nuclear power banner on the Convention and Exhibition Centre, where
Tsang was hosting an environmental meeting.
A government spokesman said: The application is being processed in
accordance with established procedures. An Environment Bureau
spokeswoman said no political considerations were involved: Regarding
the application, the bureau has no objection to it.
Red tape marred the ship's 2005 visit, when it took 38 days to
secure a Central berth. Its Hong Kong visit is set for February 7-27.
