Background: Why is Barseback your problem?

In 1980 the Swedish parliament decided that nuclear power was to be totally phased out by the year 2010.

Barseb�ck was planned to be the first of four nuclear facilities to be closed down . It was originally owned by the energy providing company Sydkraft, but during the 1980's a large amount of its shares were sold out to the German company PreussenElektra. This evenually resulted in a mutual shareholdership that has given bitter consequences.

In 1998 Sydkraft/PreussenElektra initiated a judicial procedure against the state, invoking the laws of the European Union, before the first reactor had been shut down. A decision has not yet been made whether Barseb�ck actually will be closed down or not, and there is little debate in media about this important issue. If a closure eventually will be commenced, Sydkraft/PreussenElektra will demand a considerable amount of money as compensation, which is pathetic considering that Barseb�ck has the second simplest cleaning system in the world.

The closure of such a hazardous facility, which threatens to contaminate an enormous area, should hardly need to be rewarded. However, if Barseb�ck isn't closed down the international struggle for phasing out nuclear power will be gravely damaged. Other energy providing companies in other countries, such as Germany, will realize that they needn't feel so threatened of negative opinions, and that they quietly can continue with their lethal business. On the other hand, it certainly isn't right to encourage other states to compensate companies that are forced to close down facilities producing a threat to society.

The tax-payer's money could be used elsewhere, for instance in the crumbling social wellfare systems. It's important that as many people as possible come to Sweden to protest against Barseb�ck in order to effect the situation in other parts of Europe and contribute to the closure of an extremely neglected facility, that threatens millions of peoples lives.

What is the Barseb�ckoffensiv99 doing? This year we are organising an awareness raising campaign and demonstrations. People who are unable to participate in the demonstrations but who wish non-the-less to show their support of our work, can return streamers, fill in the feedback form, send economic support or support us in our work. This is an international issue, we want people outside Sweden to be aware of the situation and support us.

(photo: Greenpeace Denmark)

A few weeks ago Greenpeace occupies the roof of Barseb�ck. You can read moe about this demonstration at:
Schweden: Aktivisten auf AKW fordern Feierabend f�r Barseb�ck
Schweden: Polizei r�umt Aktivisten vom AKW Barseb�ck
Hintergrundpapier Atomkraftwerk Barseb�ck/Schweden