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The Newsletter of
the
Socio-Ecological Union
A Center for Coordination
and Information
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Moscow, Russia -- Issue 1(10),
January, 2000
IN THIS ISSUE:
WORLD BIOSAFETY WAS CONTRIBUTED TO BY CEE GREENS
ECOHOUSE IS ON ITS WAY
THE DON RIVER GUARDS
X-FILES OF THE SOVIET MILITARY
THE CONVENTION ON CHEMICAL WEAPONS SHOULD BE DENOUNCED
TRANSCAUCASIA GOES FOR GREEN FUTURE
GREEN INITIATIVES OF CENTRAL ASIAN YOUTH
WELCOME BACK "ECOSTAN NEWS"
PRIZE FOR THE BEST MISINFORMATION STRATEGIES
WORLD BIOSAFETY WAS CONTRIBUTED TO BY CEE GREENS
On February 29, at 5.30 am, the Biosafety protocol, regulating genetically engineered organisms transboundary movement, relations of import and export parties on the issue, their rights and obligations was adopted in Montreal. Those who has been following the biosafety issues clearly know that finally the Cartgena protocol has been adopted after 5 year process, after battles of environmentalists and industry. Someone from the international environmental community evaluated it as an 80% victory of NGO community. SEU had its observe of the process in Montreal.
This is what Olga Berlova, SEU observer at negotiations sais.
"All I can say that CEE position and behavior, though left uncovered by western media (which is quite understandable), was in reality crucial for the way protocl looks now - might been worse. The main problem was the instability of Russian delegation position and behavior during the negotiations. As we observed, the delgation might
have experienced pressure from the Miami group and indistry. It turned out that CEE NGOs presence was crucial.
Our constant contacts and the awareness of the fact that all their actions during negotiations are immediately reported back to their countries made Russian and other Eastern Europe delegation more concious, let's say, in what their are doing.
We managed to establish good working contacts with the one of the CEE vice speaker Mr.Gabor Nekhay (Hungary), and this enabled us to communicate to him directly our concerns and proposals on the situation. On January 27, at the crucial stage of negotiations, we issued a common address of CEE NGOs. Later it turned out that it had influenced greatly at least CEE group and actually it was a first statement coming from CEE groups on the issue. At least this is was what Mr. Nekhay said during his final speech when the protocol was adopted - for the first time during the negotioations he expressed gratitude to CEE NGOs (which in reality was 3 people - Tatyana Topchiy from Green Dossier, Ukraine, Cestmir Hrdinka from Greenpeace, Czhekh republic and me - Olga Berlova, SEU) for aid during the negotiations and for the address - the first CEE NGO statement.
During the whole negotiations we have established good working contacts with scientists and other NGOs, a good background for spreading the GE-problem network to CEE countries and to Russia and CIS was established.
SEU is now aiming to set up the full scale program on GE, as the protocol adoption is only a first step. The main battle will be in our own countries. In Russia biotech has already started the PR attack on media and public, using the same old startegies as it used in the West..
For contacts:
Olga Berlova, SEU CCI Press-service
seupress@mtu-net.ru
Tatyana Topchiy, Green Dossier, Ukraine
dossier@gd.freenet.kiev.ua
The CEE NGO's ADDRESS
January 27, 2000
We, the citizen groups of CEE express our deep concern regarding the Biosafety protocol negotiations process. We condemn the fact that the group of countries known as Miami Group, in reality representing the interests of industry of a very few countries, in actuality is blocking the most important provisions of the Protocol.
We consider that their actions represent an attempt to impose the profit making interests of their countries over the will of the majority of the negotiating countries and their citizens to effectively protect biodiversity. The biosafety protocol is a protocol of the Convention on the Biological Diversity, which aims to protect the biodiversity of all, not the economic interests of a few countries like Canada or USA.
We remind the CEE representatives of their special responsibility as the situation within the CEE region is characterized by low public awareness and absence of legislation covering LMOs in many of the countries of the region. Therefore, we strongly urge the representatives of CEE region to take the firm stand on the following positions:
- The Precautionary Principle must be an overriding objective and the basis for all decision-making under the biosafety protocol. Therefore, we support the inclusion of the precautionary principle in Article 8 (Decision procedure) that gives a right to the Parties to take preventative measures and actions.
- The biosafety protocol should not in any case be subordinated to other international agreements, including trade agreements like World Trade Organization (WTO). Were the protocol to be subordinated to other treaties, relatively poor countries in our region will be pressured by countries like USA and Canada to accept LMOs into their markets. Any attempt to refuse an import of LMOs because of concern about biosafety would be considered a barrier to free trade, with all the economic consequences that implies.
- The scope of the biosafety protocol should cover all LMOs as there is no biosafety-related reason to exclude some of them, such as pharmaceuticals or LMOs intended for contained use. Once accidentally released into the environment these LMOs may cause as much harm to the environment and biodiversity as any other LMOs.
- The full AIA (Advance Informed Agreement) procedure should be applied to all LMOs, including LMOs for food, feed and processing. There must be explicit consent and each country must be given the right to ban particular LMOs. Without such conditions set forth in the protocol, we fear that the CEE region could became a dumping ground or an experimental field plot for LMOs which are being refused in more developed countries.
Tatyana Topchiy, Green Dossier, Ukraine
Olga Berlova, International Socio-Ecological Union
(280 organizations of 18 countries)
Cesta Hrdinka, Greenpeace, Czech republic
FOR SEU "ECO" IS NOT JUST A PREFIX, IT IS A PRACTICAL THING
Ecohouse is on its way
SEU announces launch of a practical segment of the "Ecosettlements for XXI century" Program. It took about 10 years to design a project of environment-friendly house suitable for CIS-region conditions, more or less simple in construction, relatively inexpensive - and still providing comfortable living conditions. The project included energy-efficient heat system both engineering appliances and architectural construction solutions, biological household waste recycling, land for subsidiary agriculture. It allows to decrease energy waste and to process almost completely household waste.
The Ecodom (Eco-house) project leads to the development of the whole concept of the Ecosettlement program, setting an ambitious goal to make Eco-house the most commonly constructed and used private house type, at least within CIS. The program also includes plan to develop a number of settlement communities as a model for a new type of society - relating to biosphere and fellow humans.
The meeting of the key program participants in Novosibirsk in December`99 has set the plan for practical realization of the work, starting with producing Eco-house industrially in quantities for mass consumption, and to the listing model regions for the program.
So far 13 regions in Russia has expressed their interest in program, and the initiative groups have emerged. Their task is to define the specific needs and problems of their region, need for specific project modification and expertise, availability of the construction materials etc.
These groups will be the main engine of the project, as the program concept is based on local initiative and local interest. The Program "think thank" will gave the assistance needed for this project. For this purpose all practically interested in the project are forming the Eco-construction Association. The Association is open for contacts, ideas and cooperation.
For contacts:
Igor Ogorodnikov,
SEU coordinator for "Ecosettlments for 21 century" Program
igoro@mail.nsk.ru
THE DON RIVER GUARDS
Cossacks stand for their land with competence and care
The SEU, as a horizontal umbrella stucture, always welcomes non-traditional membership giving special attention to community initiatives. Among such non-traditional members we may mention the The Don Great Land power - the Cossack community. Cossacks for the majority of the world is a kind of mythical militant figure. However, the truth, is as always, much more complicated and interesting.
The Cossacks are the community of people at the Southern border of Russia specifically shaped by the historical development of Russia. It was both the neccessity to guard southern border of Russia and also attempt to escape the serfdom on the "free river of Don". It was almost the only community during the czar times granted significant autonomy and freedom in decision making. That was how Cossacks through centuries formed strong self-government traditions. Cossacks always owned their land and, depending on it, used to care for it. In Soviet times this community was supressed, as many other were. The changes in Russian society brought the renaissance to the cossack community. The old self-government institutions were restored, and the need for new ones emerged.
Among such institutions was Cossack Environmental Service, formed several years ago. The Service deals with the wide problem range. The scope includes control of the toxicity of gasoline sold at the gas stations, control of the local market product safety. The Service also keeps constant control over the safety and legality of the local waste disposal sites and over the potentially hazardous industrial sites etc. For example, the service inspectores closed one of the coal transfer and reload facilities, located too close to the living area. The coal dust that came from this facility was dangerous for human health and could cause serious lung diseases. Another important service task is control over the river and creek conditions and water level, which is crucial for the area ecosystems. The Cossack Environmental Service work is appreciated by the local population, people often turn to the inspectors' help to resolve different environment related problems, and also offer help with their work.
For contacts:
Vladimir Lagutov, Green Don Movement
zedon@novoch.ru
X-FILES OF THE SOVIET MILITARY
Archive work revels deadly secrets of the Soviet military past, writes Lev Fedorov, leader of the SEU Chemical Safety Program. Chemical weapon legacy is generously spread over the CIS territory, posing deadly threat on people and environment. Besides the manufacturing, storage and disposal sites known to public there are many still hidden. The Soviet rules kept these locations secret, and the contemporary "chemical" commanders are not in haste to unveal this information. Their policy was best formulated by general Petrov, famous for his anti-environmental and anti-democratic views and principles - "The less you know, the better sleep you have". Well, in such case most of us would prefer insomnia.
Recently military had to open the archives of 30ies on chemical weapon storage facilities locations. It took some time to track down the movement of scary loads and their final destination, sais Lev Fedorov. We figured out that behind the "substances N..." ipritis and fosgen were hidden, and that their were transferred to unknown before location in Rzhanitsa, Bryansk region. (This region is one of the strongly affected by CW production and storage). In 30ies noone knew about mutagenicity and general toxicity of ipritis - it was considered only skin-irritation substance. Neither people working at the facility had much protection, nor much precautions were taken to prevent the leaks of ipritis to the environment. The spills during the substance handling occurred quite often. The disposal technology was also unsophisticated - either incineration or just burying. "Both technologies" were practiced in Rzhanitsa. This means that there are still dioxin spots in the neighboring area, including settlements, and also that large amount of ipritis is still out there burried in earth.
The SEU Chemical Safety Program will continue the investigation and will make every effort to communicate the results to local people. To call for the necessary clean up and safety measures will be the next step.
For more information:
Lev Fedorov, President,
Union for Chemical Safety
lefed@online.ru
THE CONVENTION ON CHEMICAL WEAPONS SHOULD BE DENOUNCED
73 Russian public organizations lead by Union For Chemical Safety has issued a second statement relating to the CW convention ratification. A year ago the first statement had been published, pionting out the critical situation around the CW disposal in Russia. This statement called for provisions for health and environmental safety and for public information and participation in the process related to chemical disarmament. However, there was no improvement in the situation, in fact, it got even worse.
- the legal acts concerning the CW disposal adopted did not provide for the right to resettlement from the areas of potential danger
- the rigths of those already suffered during CW handling are violated by the military medics decisions
- there are no legal acts settling the relations of military and local population on CW disposal process
- authorities are still blocking execution of citizens constitutional rights to participate in decision making concerning territory selection for CW disposal
- environmental committee has not established any proper control over the CW storage facilities
- neither army, nor ministry for emergency situations are prepared to protect the population in case of possible accidents during the CW disposal
- the scientists from NGOs are not admitted to the commissions on CW disposal dealing with the process specifics
- military authorities are denying the activists and media attendance and inspection of the CW storage facilities.
The statement point out thet CW disposal works may not start in this situation.
"The CW disarmament in Russia should start from resolving social, medical, environmental,technical, legal and organizational problems, energing from the neede to protect people and environment during the chemical disarmament. They have already suffered from the CW production and will suffer even more if all goes as it is going now."
THE STATEMENT SAIS THAT IN SUCH CONDITIONS PUBLIC HAS TO DECLARE THAT THE CONVENTION ON CHEMICAL WEAPONS SHOULD BE DENOUNCED BY RUSSIAN FEDERATION, AS TODAY PRACTICE OF ITS FULFILLMENT DOESNOT PROVIDE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH SAFETY.
For more information:
Lev Fedorov, President,
Union for Chemical Safety
lefed@online.ru
TRANSCAUCASIA GOES FOR GREEN FUTURE
Ecological club "Tapan" of Armenia was found 3 years ago, and today it is one of the acknowledged NGO leaders of the republic. It has gained authority both with public and with the officials, is known to the international community. It's leader Grant Sargsyan is a well known TV journalist and film maker. "Watching the way other CIS NGOs were developing I realised that we in Armenia must do something to transform our society", sais Grant Sargsyan.
"Tapan" deals with different environmental issues like desertification, biodiversity conservation, forest protection, industrial pollution, promotion of environment friendly technologies, environmental legislation and environmental information.
"Tapan" activities are always aimed on the widest possible public involvement. The march for parks action mights be a good example. In year 1999 it was specifically aimed on desertification and forest protection problems. At least 650 participants planted 1500 trees. Joint and joyful work was also an opportunity to explain and discuss environmental problems and ways to solve them. "Tapan" and school students initiated art contest and talent show, attracting participants and spectators. The event was widely covered by mass-media.
International activities of Tapan are based on the UN Convention on Desertification. "Tapan" Chairperson Grant Sargsyan is a member of RIOD GCC and is the regional coordinator for CEE. "Tapan" has intitiated establishment of Transcaucasus cooperation network on desertification.
"Tapan" newsletter became an efficient tool to inform public about the work done, about the problems to be solved. The high expertise and firm stand on environmental principles earned "Tapan" trust and appreciation from population and respect of the officials.
For contacts:
Grant Sargsyan, co-chairman,
Ecoclub "Tapan"
grant@tapan.infocom.amilink.net
GREEN INITIATIVES OF CENTRAL ASIAN YOUTH
All for Earth - no compromise is the slogan of Tadjik Youth Environmental organization "For Earth". It was established 2 years ago by active and eager to work for good of people and environment young folks. Even without mentioning the hard socio-economic conditions and civil war, this group has achieved a lot.
One of the first successes was "green hours" in Tajik schools, winning high interest of the students, many of whom wanted to get involved in "For Earth" activities.
Recycling actions "The other side of the paper" and "The large aluminium can" initiated by "For Earth" activists, also became very popular.
Basing on previous experience "For Earth" has developed and now is putting into practice special seminar program for 9-11 year school students, called "The Green Intitiatives". This program will tell about the global problems like desertification, global warming, deforestation etc.
"For Earth" activists are publishing the bulletin "Time to act". "For Earth" have collected environmental library, accessible for public, and also offers consultations on environmental problems. To understand the significance of the work done by this movement one has to recall that civil war in Tajikistan has just ended. Now the fragile peace is established, but the state of the society is far from environment or democracy concerns. Probably, no other CIS state has the same experience.
For contacts:
Timur Idrisov, For Earth,
forearth@td.silk.org
WELCOME BACK "ECOSTAN NEWS"
Under a grant from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, Ecostan News electronic bulletin is again publishing after a hiatus of 18 months. During that period, social and economic conditions deteriorated perhaps more than during any other 18 months in the post-USSR era. The environmental movement felt this deterioration acutely. Yet, environmental NGOs in all five Central Asian states are active, and in many respects gaining momentum.
The publication aims to give the opportunity to Central Asian NGOs to present their work and their country ewnvironmental and civil society problems. It will be published in two languages - Russian and English.
The Ecostan Editors are Andrey Aranbayev, from Ashkhabad, Catena, and Eric Sievers, lawyer and LEEP Chairperson.
For contacts:
Andrey Aranbaev,
aranbaev@ecostan.org
Eric Sievers,
esievers@igc.apc.org
URL:www.ecostan.org
A NEWLY ESTABLISHED PRIZE FOR THE BEST MISINFORMATION STRATEGIES
"Black PR" or the means by which some Russian as well as transnational companies try to persuade the public of their environmental awareness was in the focus of attention at the round-table discussion organised last week by the Social Ecological Union and conducted in the framework of the international conference "Journalism in..." hosted by the Department of Journalism at Moscow State University.
Today it is becoming a common practice for companies whose interests run counter to the environment to integrate environmental and health concerns into their policies. Thus by supporting minor environment protection activities they manage to create a "green image" or, to be blunt, a "green camouflage" for their business. In order to expose the environment-threatening activity of such companies the participants of the round-table talks decided to establish a monitoring system within which the journalists will be able to exchange information about polluters.
The companies whose strategies to give the public a misleading impression will be evaluated as the most successful will be awarded the "Golden Noodles" Prize. Its name derives from a popular idiomatic expression in the Russian and Ukrainian languages "to hang noodles on somebody's ears" meaning "to tell lies, to misinform somebody".
Wellcome to cooperate!
For contacts:
SEU CCI Press-service
seupress@mtu-net.ru
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