Environmentalists and Left Bloc politicians have warned of “the considerable risks” of transhipping 500 tons of chemical weapons from Syria in the Azorean port of Praia da Vitória on Terceira Island.
The warnings come as Portugal is poised to give the green light to a request from the US to move the chemical arsenal from a Danish vessel that left Syria at the beginning of January to US Navy boat, the MV Cape Ray (pictured).
It is believed the toxic cargo will then be destroyed on board the boat but outside the Portuguese Exclusive Economic Zone.
It is an operation that was meant to have taken place before the end of last year, but a number of logistical problems, including bad weather, delayed the mission.
Now, the time is right, it appears, while news channels are focusing on the environmental concerns of the operation.
Nuno Sequeira, president of Quercus, highlighted the possible risks of air, soil and water pollution, as well as dangers for the local population.
“We’re worried, like all Portuguese should be worried,” he told TVI24. “Chemical weapons are weapons of mass destruction. They are made to cause damage.”
What is important now, he stressed, is that the government “reacts rapidly and reassures people”, as this is certainly “not a habitual operation” and the need for tranquility is paramount.
It seems likely that Portugal will agree to the transhipping on Terceira. The island is home to the US Lajes Air Field whose future is uncertain. It is not in Portugal’s interests to lose the base as it is the second largest employer on the island, providing nearly 800 jobs.
