The SEU TIMES, Socio-ecological Union Newsletter, January 26, 2001
"The Antinuclear Resistance" of Russia's Public Organizations
Russia's public environmental organizations have begun an unprecedented campaign entitled "Antinuclear resistance." Within the framework of this program, on January 15th, numerous demonstrations took place in more than twenty of Russia's regions: Kostroma, Vladimir, Nizhny Novgorod, Saratov, Irkutsk, Tomsk, Volgograd, Yaroslavl, Cherpovets, Chelyabinsk, Samara. Thousands of people across the entire country will still take to the streets to express their protest against Russia's atom-lovers' great "nuclear venture."
The goal of the campaign was to prevent the increase of legislative power behind the Ministry of Atomic Energy of the Russian Federation that would grant the right to the Minatom to import foreign used nuclear fuel rods and other radioactive materials for long-term storage and reprocessing.
Tomsk: "Say 'No' to Radiation!"
On January 15th, the Tomsk Environmental Student Inspection (TESI), the "Sibirian Nature Protection Alliance," and the Tomsk Youth "Yabloko," carried out a demonstration in protest of the legalization of the import of foreign radioactive waste into Russia. The protest was held near the Administration Building of the Tomsk Region, according to the TESI press-center. Wearing bright costumes with radiation symbols, the protesters passed out "radioactive dollars" to passersby. On the reverse side information was printed about realistic steps people could take in order to have their voice against the imports heard.
At first people received their allotment of radiation - 140 grams of radioactive waste for $3.50 per year per person - with confusion, but then signed their names on a petition for laws against the import of radioactive waste into Russia.
The signatures were then brought to the regional Duma. Aside from this, the picketers gave each Duma representative a written appeal with a recommendation to condemn the acceptance of legislation that passed the first hearing on December 21st, and which will allow the import of radioactive waste into Russia. We would like to believe that the opinion of the people will be heard, and that the decisions made in the second hearing of the State Duma will be faithful.
Tomsk Student Environmental Inspection
Irkutsk: The Citizens are Against, the Authorities Remain Silent
A second picket was held in Irkutsk on January 15th: a protest against legislation passed that will allow the import of used radioactive fuel rods into Russia. Along with the organizations "Baikal Ecological Wave" and "Yabloko," ordinary city residents joined in the protest. Over the course of an hour and a half, 69 Irkutskians signed an appeal to the President. Many offered to help with the initiative to collect signatures.
The picket was held despite the fact that the temperature was thirty degrees below zero and there were strong winds. The protest was met with strong support in the mass media, which recognized it as a piece of a nationwide protest against the import of spent nuclear fuel rods.
Six of the seven representatives to the State Duma from the Irkutsk Region voted for the ratification of amendments on the basis-according to their own words-of the fact that the matter would not affect the Irkutsk Region. There is still no answer from the Governor of the Regional Legislature. The letter that was sent to the governor was written off to a lower office, while the legislature has yet to form an environmental committee. It remains unclear what the position of the governor will be on this issue, and his position is particularly important, seeing as he is a member of the Federal Council and in this right has the ability to prevent the import of radioactive waste into the country should he vote against the acceptance of this legislation.
Press service "Baikal Environmental Wave"
Kostroma: A Picket "In the Name of Life"
In Kostroma on January 15th, protesters organized by the environmental movement "In the Name of Life" picketed outside the regional Duma. Nearly 100 people representing eleven public organizations from Kostroma and the region took place in the demonstration. Picketers brought signs with messages and appeals to the President of the Russian Federation, and the regional and State Dumas asking that the import of nuclear fuel rods into Russia be forbidden. The picketers' signs also condemned the actions of the representatives to the State Duma from the Kostroma region who voted in favor of the amendments, and of A. G. Puzanovsky, a Duma representative who co-authored the "nuclear" amendments and the new law.
The activists of these organizatiosn appealed to the legislature of the Kostroma Region with the demand to examine the issue of changing the law "On the Protection of the Environment." The proposed changes would allow the import of radioactive materials from other nations into Russia for storage, disposal, and reprocessing. Also affected by the changes is legislation is the law "On the Protection of the Environment" and "On Special Environmental Programs for the Rehabilitation of Regions of the Russian Federation Suffering from Radiation Pollution, to be Financed by Receipts from External Trade Operations Involving Nuclear Irradiated Fuel." A resolution was passed and will be published in the local press and sent to the State Duma of the Russian Federation, the Federal Council, and the President of Russia.
The Movement "In the Name of Life"
Saratov: The State Duma Abandoned the Problem!
Saratov's environmental organizations - the initiators of the nationwide protest - carried out a theatrical, costumed protest demonstration on January 15th against the State Duma's initial passing of a legislation package that will permit the import of used nuclear fuel rods and radioactive waste into Russia for reprocessing and burial.
The demonstration was organized by the international coalition "Citizens for Atomic Safety" and the Center for Cooperation with Ecological Initiatives (CCEI), with the active support of the Children's Environmental Theater "Regardless." Students and other NGOs also participated.
During the demonstration, participants handed out booklets such as "Atomic Energy? No, thanks," and "The State Duma said 'Yes' to Importing Used Atomic Fuel." They also gave poetry readings and performed rhymed skits with antinuclear themes, frightening the passing residents of Kostroma with mutants, nuclear death, radiation, etc. Most importantly, they gathered signatures on a petition to the representatives to the Saratov regional Duma with the recommendation to vote against the legislation package and forbid the transport of foreign used nuclear fuel rods through the Saratov Region. The letter to the president demanded that he veto the legislation package.
Nearly all of the passersby signed the petition. The organizers of the protest gave the petition and signatures to the representatives of the Saratov Regional Duma.
During the discussion of the petition, Duma representatives announced that representatives of lower legislative bodies in the Russian Federation did not have the ability to affect the State Duma's examination of the legislation at all, and especially not in such a short amount of time. But after a lengthy discussion, a decision was made to bring up the discussion of the petition at a meeting of the Committee on the Social Sphere of the Saratov Regional Duma on January 16th. This motion was to include the recommendation that the committee members make an appeal to the representatives of the Regional Duma to condemn the State Duma's passing of the legislation package that would allow the import of spent nuclear fuel rods from abroad into Russia.
A package of informational materials on the problems of reprocessing spent nuclear fuel and explaining the positions of the representatives to the legislatures in different regions of Russia was prepared by the protest organizers for committee members.
Olga Pitsunova, the coordinator of the nationwide protest "Antinuclear Resistance" made the following statement: "We plan to continue the work we have started, to appeal to the members of the Federal Council of the Russian Federation from the Saratov Region with the request not to ratify the notorious legislation package, and to demand an answer from the representatives to the State Duma from the Saratov Region to learn the motivations behind the way they voted on the three pieces of legislation. They will be sent a letter of protest demanding that they look after not just their own self-interest or their parties' interests, but the interests of the people who elected them. We are sure that upon uniting efforts for the defense of our common interests we will achieve victory.
"Citizens for Nuclear Safety"
For more information:
(845-2) 79-86-05,
olga@wildfield.ru - Olga Pitsunova, Coordinator of the All-Russian protest "Antinuclear Resistance."
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AUTHORITIES
Regional Authorities Condemn their Representatives who Voted in Favor of the "Nuclear" Amendments
Sergei Belyaev, a representative of the Kemerov Regional Council addresses the residents of Novokuznetsko and surrounding region with an open letter in which he sharply criticized the "nuclear" amendments. "The decision of the representatives literally shakes me," he writes, "What is it? A lack of far-sightedness? Criminal indifference? Incompetence? The desire to earn money off of someone else's misfortune? I have not the shadow of a doubt that a frightful, irreversible misfortune awaits us. Not just us, but out children, and grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Later on he adds: "Before the law goes into effect, we are obliged to stand as a wall to defend our country. Acts of protest, referendums, pickets - all of these ways to be heard by Moscow must be used now, today. A terrible disaster is just ahead, against which the whole world must rise up. We must act! Without delay, right away, while we can still change the situation. Tomorrow will be too late…"
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On January 11th the representatives of the Sakhalin Regional Duma carried out a protest against the import of foreign spent nuclear fuel rods into Russia, reports "Sakhalin Environmental Watch." Ivan Zhdakaev, a Sakhalin representative to the State Duma who supported the amendments explained his actions by saying that at the time of the vote, he was in a meeting of the Transport Committee, and had forgotten his coded voting card in the Meeting Hall. In his absences, a ne'er-do-well allegedly used this card.
Saratov: The Duma Decided
"Having examined the projects laid out for the federal laws "On the Protection of the Environment" and "On Special Environmental Programs for the Rehabilitation of Regions of the Russian Federation Suffering from Radiation Pollution, to be Financed by Receipts from External Trade Operations Involving Nuclear Irradiated Fuel," which were accepted in the first reading, and considering the opinion of public organizations, the Saratov Regional Duma considers the ratification of such legislation inadvisable at the present time."
Volgograd: An Address to the Volgograd Regional Duma addressing the State Duma
"To the Government of the Russian Federation, the State Duma of the Federal Council of the Russian Federation on the question of preventing the import of foreign nuclear waste.
"At the present time Minatomprom is firmly carrying out work among the representatives of the State Duma of the Federal Council with the goal of securing the ratification of a normative document that will allow for the import of foreign nuclear waste into Russia.
"Accompanying this are efforts to change the contents of article 50, point 3 of the Law of the RSFSR 'On the Protection of the Environment.'
"Today in Krasnoyarky Krai, the contents of nuclear waste only from Russian atomic power plants matches 70 Chernobyls, and in the case of the receipt of foreign nuclear waste, the situation will be irreparable.
"The transparent "benefits" promised by world nuclear powers will be incomparable with the environmental problems that will arise after the change in article 50 of the aforementioned law, or the nullification of this article.
"Considering all of the aforementioned, the Volgograd Regional Duma recommends that the Government of the Russian Federation and the State Duma of the Federal Council of the Russian Federation accept everything possible against the import of foreign nuclear waste into Russia and the amendment of article 50 of the Law of the RSFSR "On the Protection of the Environment."
Campaign
Murmansk
On January 18th, the Greens of the Murmansk Region (Oblast) sent letters of five regional representatives of the State Duma. The firmly recommend that the elected leaders not vote for the "nuclear" amendments in the second reading, supporting their argument with the opinion of experts on the new planned legislation:
"The Institute of Problems of Industrial Ecology of the North recommends that the Murmansk Regional Duma declare a protest in regards to the projects of the federal laws 'On the Inclusion in Article 50 of the Law of the RSFSR "On the Protection of the Environment" and "On Special Environmental Programs for the Rehabilitation of Regions of the Russian Federation Suffering from Radiation Pollution, to be Financed by Receipts from External Trade Operations Involving Nuclear Irradiated Fuel,"' which were accepted by the State Duma in the first reading…"
Krasnoyarsk: Greens Sent an Address to the Alexander Lebed, Governor of the Krai
The Civic Center for Nuclear Nonproliferation and the Krasnoyar Krai environmental movement supported the "Antinuclear Resistance" that swept across the country by sending an address to Alexander Lebed, the governor of the Krai, and by organizing an informational campaign. Within the framework of the campaign informational packets were prepared for representatives to the State Duma and the Legislature of Krasnoyarsky Krai, and materials with arguments against changes in environmental legislation in the interests of MinAtom were distributed in mass media. These materials opposed the import-and moreover, the reprocessing-of international processed nuclear fuel into Russia.
Mass protests will take place next week in Krasnoyarsk. Civic Center for Nuclear Nonproliferation ccnnr@online.ru Vladimir Mikheev.
Khabarovsk: "Say 'No' to a Nuclear Gravesite in Russia"
That is the name of the protest that the Khabarovsky regional division of the political party "Yabloko" organized. The protest is directed against the ratification of legislation that will allow the import of nuclear waste into the Russian Federation for long-term storage and reprocessing.
Demonstrations were organized during the protest, in which members of the Khabarovsk "Yabloko" addressed city residents with a request to support the given protest and sign their support to the local party's appeal to the President of the Russian Federation, to the Head of the Administration of Khabarovsky Krai, to the representatives of the Federal Congress of the Russian Federation and to the Legislature of Khabarovsky Krai. Residents of Khabarovsk came to life in response to the appeal to join in the protest against the ratification of similar legislation. About 450 signatures were collected during the hour and half that the demonstration lasted, which will subsequently be sent to the President of the Russian Federation, the Head of Khabarovsky Krai, the representatives of the Federal Congress of the Russian Federation and the Legislature of Khabarovsky Krai.
From Kostroma to Southern Sakhalinsk: A Little Apple is Rolling about on My Plate. The Unification of "Yabloko" is Raising a Wave against the Storage of Nuclear Waste in Russia
Regional divisions of the Party "Yabloko," which means "apple" in Russian, carried out many demonstrations as a sign of protest against the State Duma's acceptance of legislation that allows for the uncontrolled import of processed nuclear fuel rods into Russia for storage and reprocessing. In many regions, the local division of "Yabloko" has united with local environmental organizations participating in the protest "Antinuclear Resistance." For example, in Kostroma, "Yabloko" joined with "In the Name of Life"; in Yaroslavl, with "Green Branch"; in Irkutstk, with "Baikal Ecological Wave," etc. And in some places "Yabloko" members themselves acted as the organizers of demonstrations.
Vladimir: "A Scandal for the Duma that Cannot Think"
With this slogan, an antinuclear demonstration organized by the Movement of the Greens of the Vladimir Region, the local SEU in Vladimir, the public environmental fund "Cuckoo Pond," and the tourist club "Pilgrim" picketed in Theater Square on January 15th. Alongside this slogan were some ten additional banners and informational flags, such as "We Don't Want Mutant Children," "Russia is not a Nuclear Dump," etc. The protesters distributed fliers to passersby, gathered and signatures on an address to the representatives of the legislature. The demonstration was widely publicized in the mass media through local television and radio, national radio, and printed news sources. It was also widely received in the local population. Even representatives of radical communists support us and curse the mercenary Duma, and people who want to sign the address continue to stop by and call.
Suzdal: A Letter to the Authorities
Suzdal's green organizations, students and teachers gathered nearly 300 signatures against the ratification of the amendments and sent them to the head of the City Administration with a request to discern the position of the representatives of the City Council. On January 16th, local authorities accepted a resolution for the Vladimir Regional Legislature with a request to appeal to the Duma with a legislative initiative on the inaccessibility of accepting such legislation.
Chelyabinsk: Public Representatives Demanded an Answer from their Government Representative
"The Movement for Nuclear Safety" organized a meeting between representatives of the Movement, the public organizations "Ecofront," "Proper Consciousness," and others with Peter Svechnikov, their local representative to the State Duma, who serves in the agriculture industry group. The leader of Chelyabinsk communists, Peter Grigorievich Svechnikov voted for three laws which allow for the import of foreign radioactive materials into Russia for storage. Public representatives demanded an answer for why Svechnikov had voted for the laws, especially in light of the fact that in one of his scientific works, Svechnikov himself had written about the inaccessibility of turning Russia into raw adjunct of world imperialism and an international dump for technogenic waste. Thus Svechnikov had ignored his own conclusions. Why?
As it was explained, his decision was impacted by the fact that among the authors of this legislation was a representative from the Kyshtymsky District of the Chelyabinsk Region, an FSB underling named M. Grishankov, that well known Russian scientists and allegedly his own voters had all supported the legislation. This information was gathered, studied, and argued by his assistants. Public representatives expressed doubt that Svechnikov's voters had truly so actively supported Minatom's initiative and presented data from a social survey, from which it was clear that the overwhelming majority of the regions residents were against the import of foreign spent nuclear fuel rods for storage.
The government representative admitted that it was necessary to pass-as soon as possible-laws that would secure atomic safety (on insurance of nuclear risks and on the address regarding radioactive waste) and that it was necessary to include in the law a ceiling (up to 35 percent) on the amount of money earmarked for environmental problems, as well as a lower limit, and further promised to bring this motion to the second reading.
In Chelyabinsk, similar meetings are being planned with other representatives of the State Duma from Chelyabinsk Region. Vladimir Kriukov has already voiced his agreement. In the near future, representatives of environmental organizations plan to send letters to State Duma representatives and the local legislature with recommendations for the amendment of the poorly thought out Duma decision.
For further information please contact Olga Pitsunova, Center for Support of Citizen Initiative, Protest Coordinator. Tel/Fax: (845-2) 79-86-05, email: olga@wildfield.ru
Regions. Recent Events.
Murom: Seven Thousand Residents of Murom Support and Appeal to the President
From December 25th to the present day, a protest demonstration against legislation passed in the State Duma has been taking place in the city of Murom. Residents are disturbed by the fact that the circle of organizations-including those abroad-that have the right to ownership and circulation of radioactive materials in Russia is growing unchecked. This could lead the uncontrolled spread of nuclear materials while essential safety measures will remain uncertain.
The laboratory "Ecoculture" of the Center for Cultural Initiative and school leaders from the environmental movement "Let's Help the River!" took initiative to carry out a protest demonstration. The preparation and collection of signatures on an appeal to the president of the Russian Federation and representatives to the State Duma were key elements in the protest. The appeal was supported by the majority of public organizations in the small city: "Chernobyl Union," "Compatriots," and veterans, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation and the "Soviet Officers Union," as well as the city's school collectives. The administration of the city, "United Youth," and a number of commercial enterprises also supported the demonstration.
About seven thousand signatures of Murom residents were collected in support of the antinuclear appeal to the president of the Russian Federation of the participants of the Eleventh All-Russian Conference "Volga Day 2000."
For more information:
Olga Pitsunova, protest coordinator, Saratov. Tel/fax: (845-2) 79-86-05, email: olga@wildfield.ru
News from the State Duma
As Greenpeace Russia has learned, several representatives to the State Duma have already brought motions to the Duma whose basic goal is to prevent the import of radioactive waste and to neutralize the legislation currently under discussion. They recommend the following: every agreement to bring spent nuclear fuel rods into Russia should be examined in the Duma as a piece of legislation. The representatives forwarding this idea are Alexander Nikolaevich Kosarikov, tel. 292-76-18 (assistant Yakov Mikhailovich) and Aleksei Nikolaevich Tomov (assistant Vladimir Aleksandrovich), tel. 292-75-35, and Igor Yurievich Artemev (assistant Anna), tel. 292-75-35. Kosarikov and Tomov are from the Edinstvo political faction, whose representatives voted in favor of the import of nuclear waste. All three representatives are prepared to give interviews.
For further information:
Greenpeace,
tel. (095) 257-41-16/18/22,
Polina Malysheva
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