Christian whistleblower seeks help from Norway
-23/4/04
Israeli nuclear whistle-blower Mordechai Vanunu wants Norway to help him leave Israel now that he has been released from prison, a leading Norwegian peace activist has said.
Vanunu, a Christian convert and former technician at Israel's nuclear reactor in Dimona, was released Wednesday after 18 years in prison for revealing his country's nuclear secrets.
Upon his release from Ashkelon prison he was greeted by the Bishop of Jersualem and went to the Cathedral Church of St. George, where he took communion with bishops and clergy from England, the USA and Australia as well as local Christians.
However, Israel has imposed strict controls on Vanunu, including a ban on his leaving the country and speaking to foreigners.
One of the foreigners allowed to meet Vanunu, Norwegian peace activist and lawyer Fredrik S. Heffermehl, said the former prisoner asked for Norway's help.
"The first thing he said to me was that he strongly hoped that Norway could help him get out of Israel, and that maybe (he) could be granted residency in Norway," he said on Norway's state radio network NRK.
To do so, Norway would have to give him a passport or another travel document, plus a visa on humanitarian grounds, Heffermehl told the network.
Heffermehl has worked for years to free the former technician through the International Vanunu Committee. He is also on the boards of the Geneva-based International Peace Bureau and the Norwegian Peace Council.
Although many Israelis regard Vanunu as a traitor, his exposing Israel's nuclear weapons program has gained him respect and support in many other countries.
Vanunu has been nominated repeatedly, including this year, for the Nobel Peace Prize that is awarded in Norway.
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