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GREENPEACE, RIGHTS GROUPS BLAST TAIWAN OVER CAMBODIA TOXIC DUMPING

by STEFAN SMITH, Agence France Presse

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, 19 January 1999 -- International environmental watchdog Greenpeace and local rights groups on Tuesday blasted the "despicable" dumping of toxic waste from Taiwan close to a Cambodian coastal resort. Environmental experts said the 3,000 tonne consignment from Taiwan's Formosa Plastics could contain an array of deadly toxins on top of the high mercury content. They called for extensive tests to be urgently conducted.

"Formosa Plastics have acted like a real villain in this case," said Von Hernandez of Greenpeace International. "It is immoral, criminal and deserves the condemnation of the international community. They have proved to be despicable."

The environmentalists said the dumping, which last month sparked riots and a massive health scare in the coastal resort of Sihanoukville, was a tragic result of Asia's uncontrolled industrialisation.

"On the one hand we have Taiwan oozing toxic waste, and on the other poor Cambodia," said Jim Puckett of international toxic waste monitors the Basel Action Network. "Hazardous waste follows the line of least resistance."

"To say this poses no immediate threat is irresponsible," Puckett argued, rejecting initial results from the World Health Organisation.

He said that as the world's largest producer of PVC, Formosa Plastic's waste could contain deadly toxins that need extensive laboratory tests to uncover. Initial tests have revealed that the rubble, dumped in an open landfill site, contained heavy metals including mercury, lead and zinc. But the team said PVC production is also associated with deadly dioxins, hydrocarbons and toxins.

The environmentalists called for medical studies into two deaths and sickness which locals fear were linked to the waste. "The symptoms are consistent with mercury poisoning but it is unclear at this point and more tests are urgently needed," said Michelle Brandt from Legal Aid of Cambodia, a group calling for Formosa Plastics to pay compensation.

"Cambodia has experienced enough suffering and Formosa Plastics have just added to it," she added. "The polluter must pay." Formosa Plastics, which insists the waste is not toxic, said on January 3 it would probably be shipped to the United States or Europe.

The waste has been packed into containers to await transportation, but the waste site remains covered in the grey debris and witnesses say locals including children continue to pass by unprotected. The government has come under severe criticism over its handling of the affair, accused of high level corruption. The government has pointed to "high level corruption," but has denied cabinet-level knowledge.

On Tuesday opposition leader Sam Rainsy alleged top government officials" accepted a three million US dollar bribe to let the waste in. "Top government officials should resign because it is not low ranking people who took the bribe," he alleged. "It is another proof of the rampant corruption in this country."

The Cambodian government said last month one "businessman" has been arrested and a handful of customs officials suspended. Human rights groups have complained that two rights workers have been arrested and held without charge for almost a month accused of inciting violence.

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