Chirac orders 'toxic' ship home French President Jacques Chirac has ordered the asbestos-lined warship Clemenceau to return to French waters after a ruling by the highest court.
The court had demanded an end to the transfer of the decommissioned warship to a breaking yard in India after complaints from environmentalists. Greenpeace and three anti-asbestos groups said the ship was an environmental and health hazard. The ship is in the Arabian Sea after India refused entry to its waters. India said it wanted more information before allowing the decommissioned aircraft carrier to enter its waters. A statement from Mr Chirac's office said: "The president has decided to put this ship in French waters on a position of standby which offers all security guarantees until a definitive solution for its dismantling is found." Greenpeace welcomed the decision as a "victory for Indian workers" and those who work in ship-breaking. Yannick Jadot, director of campaigns for Greenpeace France, said it was a victory for the protection of the fundamental rights of the individual and the environment. Chirac trip Controversy has surrounded the supposed last journey of the Clemenceau. On Tuesday, the French defence minister announced an inquiry to clarify how much asbestos had been stripped from the French warship before it left. Michele Alliot-Marie said there was a 30-ton discrepancy between the amount a French firm said it had removed and the amount received at a waste site. The decision by the State Council, France's highest court, takes effect immediately. The case now goes back to a Paris administrative court for a detailed legal ruling, which could take up to six months. Correspondents say the controversy has been an embarrassment for the French government, especially as it comes ahead of Mr Chirac's five-day trip to Thailand and India, starting on Thursday. Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/europe/4716472.stm -- Peace be with you! Gabe Menezes. London, England
