La Coalicion Binacional Contra Tiraderos Toxicos Y Radioactivos, The Colorado River Native Nations Alliance and The Ward Valley Coalition

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Judith Galarza/Felix Perez (Mexico)	001-52-16124890
Chairwoman Nora Helton Fort Mojave Indian Tribe	(760) 629-4591
Susan Smith Coalicion Binacional	(505) 388-0208
Dave Harper Colorado River Indian Tribes	(520) 669-1662
Bill Addington Sierra Blanca Legal Defense Fund	(915) 369-2541
Molly Johnson Save Ward Valley	(760) 326-6267
Phil Klasky BAN Waste Coalition	(415) 752-8678
Bradley Angel Greenaction	(415) 248-5010

International Alliance Joins Efforts to Stop the Proposed Nuclear Waste Dump at Ward Valley, California

Colorado River Indian Tribes to Visit Mexico for 3 days of Cultural Exchange and Solidarity to Save Ward Valley and the Colorado River

(Needles, CA., USA and Cuidad Juarez, Mexico) -- Indigenous, environmental, social justice, labor and human rights groups and Mexican government officials concerned about the threat of nuclear contamination of the Colorado River and the international border region will host three days of events January 21-23, 1999, to express solidarity and demonstrate opposition to the nuclear waste dump proposed for Ward Valley, California. A large delegation representing the five Indian Nations along the Colorado River will travel to Cuidad Juarez, Mexico at the invitation of the bi-national alliance and Mexican government officials who have joined the fight to protect indigenous rights and the Colorado River from the proposed nuclear dump project.

In the wake of the recent victory against the Sierra Blanca, Texas, radioactive waste dump proposed for an area adjacent to the Mexican border, this international alliance is now joining with the Colorado River Native Nations Alliance and the Ward Valley Coalition to stop the Ward Valley dump. This historic alliance represents a unity of people and issues along the Mexican-American border.

For the last decade, the nuclear power industry in the United States has been attempting to bury long-lasting and highly-dangerous radioactive wastes, mostly from nuclear power reactors, in shallow, unlined trenches above an aquifer, eighteen miles from the Colorado River, in critical habitat for the endangered desert tortoise and on land considered sacred aboriginal territory by the five Colorado River Indian tribes. Scientists have warned that nuclear wastes buried at Ward Valley could contaminate the Colorado River, source of water for 22 million people in California, Arizona and Mexico.

The alliance of groups are calling on newly elected California Governor Gray Davis to stop the dump project. Once a vocal dump opponent, Davis has yet to take a stand on the issue. Davis is planning to visit Mexico in early February.

The "Coalition Binacional Contra Tiraderos Toxicos and Radioactivos" (Bi-National Coalition Against Toxic and Radioactive Wastes) is organizing the events which will include: a press conference, Thursday, January 21 at 11:00am at the Hotel Chula Vista, Juarez following an art event. The group will then travel to the Valley of Juarez for a reception and meeting at 6:00pm with the Mayor and City Council of Juarez. On Friday, January 22 the groups will attend a breakfast meeting with Mexican state and federal representatives to discuss the nuclear threat posed by the proposed Ward Valley dump and address the efforts to protect and expand the La Paz Agreement, which governs border economic and environmental policies. At 11:00 am a cultural gathering will take place in front of the U.S. Consulate in Juarez to call on the U.S. government to stop the dump. Traditional songs and dances will be performed by indigenous groups from the United States and Mexico.