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More About Our Purpose and Goals Appeal to the Federation Council of the Russian Federation Photos from various demonstrations across Russia (15.01.2001)
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Our Purpose and Goals In 1999, the Russian government announced its intention to import and store twenty thousand tons of nuclear waste primarily from East Asia and Central and Western Europe. Consumed with the potential profits from this transaction—profits which we feel will ultimately prove illusory—the government has thus far shown little regard for the potentially dire environmental consequences of bringing in so much nuclear waste. The Anti-Nuclear Resistance was formed to fight this plan. We are of course advancing what we feel is Russia’s best interest with respect to this question. However, we believe that preventing the importation of nuclear waste into Russia is in the interest of the entire world. Therefore this is not just an internal problem for Russia, but an international issue of grave importance. This plan has already met with the support of the Russian Duma, the lower house of Russia's parliament. We are therefore asking anyone and everyone—both inside and outside of Russia—to appeal to the upper house of our parliament, the Federation Council, which this summer will vote on this legislation. The Federation Council can do so several things at this point: they can immediately approve the three bills; they can reject it; or they can send it for further study to an expert commission. The latter would effectively bury the legislation for years. If the Federation Council approves the measure all that remains is the President’s signature before it becomes policy. If necessary, we intend to issue new appeals at every juncture in this process, and we hope that we will have your support. Perhaps the biggest obstacle facing the Russian environmental movement is governmental indifference to the importance of safeguarding the environment. It is our hope, then, that enough organizations will express their misgivings about importing nuclear waste that our government will pause to examine the environmental consequences of the proposed transaction and ultimately change this harmful policy. Time is of the essence, so we entreat you to act now. On this web-site you will find an already prepared appeal to the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, and the necessary street address, electronic addresses and fax numbers of personages in the Federation Council, to whom you can send this appeal. Please feel free to use the letter provided on this web-site, or, if you prefer, you can write your own letter. We only ask that you let us know what you are doing, as it is important for us to keep track of the campaign. We greatly appreciate any efforts you undertake in support of our mutual cause. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions or concerns. Yours Sincerely, Olga Pitsunova, |
© Center for Assistance for Environmental Initiatives
Last updated: 08-06-2001