TEN Index 

May 1-15, 1996, Vol. 2, No. 9 

Transboundary News

TALLINN-MOSCOW -- AN ESTONIAN DIPLOMAT TO MOSCOW WAS ACCUSED of activity incompatible with his diplomatic status and has been ordered out of Russia. A Russian diplomat to Tallinn was at the same time expelled from Estonia. The accusation from Moscow was made with knowledge of the forthcoming Estonian demand. Russian diplomat Sergei Andreyev was expelled from Estonia after Security Police said he had been followed for six months and received intelligence from a source in Riigikogu, the Estonian parliament. (SPb Vedomosti, 9 May)

BALTIC STATES-UKRAINE -- A NEW FREE TRADE ZONE MAY STRETCH FROM THE BALTICS TO THE BLACK SEA TALLINN as a result of Ukrainian Prime Minister Yevgeni Marchuk's recent signing of trade and economic agreements in Estonia during a two-day visit. As Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are expected to extend their free trade to farm produce shortly, a plan was proposed by which Ukraine would join the free trade zone. Gaining access to the Ukrainian market should give a long-awaited boost to Estonian agriculture. Mutual agreements on avoiding double taxation, avoiding tax-evasion and the agreement on protection of rights of ethnic minorities were signed. (ETA, May 10)

RIGA-TALLINN-VILNIUS -- THE BALTIC STATES SHOULD WORK TOGETHER FOR ONE COMMON STRATEGIC GOAL, including integration into European economic and security structures, argued Chairman of the Lithuanian Seimas Ceslovas Jurshenas in a speech to the Estonian Riigikogu. He said the Baltic states should begin talks on joining NATO together with other EU associate members, and that this should be on the top of the list due to their geo-political situation. "I believe that the doors of the European Union and NATO would be opened to us faster if we approached it together," Mr. Jurshenas said. (ETA, May 9)

RUSSIA-BALTICS-POLAND -- THE HIGHWAY PROJECT "VIA HANSEATIC" between St. Petersburg and Gdansk, which would link several former Hanseatic cities, is to be supported by funds from the European Union. More than 900 million ECU are expected to be invested in project before 1999. This project would complement "Via Baltica", which is to lead between Helsinki, Tallinn, and Warsaw. (Vecher. Peterburg, 8 May)

NARVA, ESTONIA-MOSCOW -- THE ESTONIAN SECURITY POLICE HAS BROUGHT CHARGES AGAINST THE LEADER OF THE RUSSIAN CITIZEN'S LEAGUE in Narva, Estonia's border-city with Russia. Estonian security police started criminal proceedings against Yuri Mishin as they found his speeches on the May 1 meeting had posed a danger to Estonia's constitutional order and the country's territorial unity. The Estonian press reported that he had urged people to attack the Narva border checkpoint. Mr. Mishin explained that he only wanted to draw attention to those difficulties which will arise after July 12 when Russian citizens in Estonia will need a visa to travel to Russia. (ETA, May 10)

RIGA-MOSCOW -- INDEPENDENCE DAY IN LATVIA was celebrated with a mix of symbolism and realism on May 4. President Guntis Ulmanis planted the first tree of the future forest to be planted on the spot of the former military radar locator in Skrudne, which was removed last year by an American explosives firm. The editor of Neatkariga called for a new realism today concerning Latvian independence: "The vast majority [of residents] have felt the reality which accompanies an independence when so many firms have gone bankrupt." (Smena, 5 May)

HELSINKI-TALLINN -- RECENT SEA BORDER NEGOTIATIONS IN HELSINKI HAVE HAD POSITIVE BUT NO FINAL RESULTS, according to the Estonian Foreign Ministry. The Estonian and Finnish negotiating delegations intend to meet again before the end of June. The Estonian delegation at sea border talks with Finland is led by the Foreign Ministry deputy chancellor Raul Malk. (ETA, 14 May)

HELSINKI-VILNIUS -- FINNAIR AND LITHUANIAN AIRLINES have concluded an agreement according to which the development of air traffic between Vilnius and Helsinki will be increased. Beginning on August 19, flights between the capitals of the two states will take place five times a week. At present only two flights take place each week. The air companies will also seek to improve cooperation on marketing, airport services and air control. (STT, 14 May)

Environmental News

TALLINN - CORRUPTION CHARGES AGAINST THE ESTONIAN MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT VILLU REILJAN have been dropped after a failed vote of no-confidence by the Estonian Riigikogu on May 13. The charges came as a result of the state Audit Office's release of information that Mr. Reiljan conducted a business deal with a company in which he owned stock while he was working as director of Luua Higher Forestry School. Besides being illegal, the deal also concerned live trees sold as timber. The KMU faction described the vote as political and declared its intent to oppose it. The Reform Party faction supported the vote, explaining is as a matter of conscience rather then a political issue. (Postimees, 14 May)

LENINGRAD OBLAST -- A NEW LEGISLATIVE BILL "ON THE USE OF FOREST IN LENINGRAD OBLAST" represents a serious threat to forest in the region, argued members of Greenpeace and local non-government environmental organizations at a press conference in St. Petersburg. Acceptance of the bill would result in the liquidation of control over the territory by the Federal Agency of Timber and therefore the introduction of a monopolistic right of commercial access to that timber by the oblast administration. (Nevskoe Vremiia, 14 May)

ST. PETERSBURG -- FINES FOR POLLUTION IN THE CITY HAVE RECENTLY BEEN INCREASED BY 10O PERCENT. The increase is the result of the necessity to increase revenues for city construction projects to protect the environment, according to the Direction of Environmental Protection in St. Petersburg. The increase in fines are aimed at those enterprises which pollute the atmosphere and groundwater. (Delovoi Peterburg, 14 May)

ST. PETERSBURG -- AIR POLLUTION FOR THE CITY'S SOUTHERN ELECTRIC STATION will soon be reduced by fifty percent, according to a representative from the station. New modern gas turbines are being installed in one of the three energy blocks of the station. The Southern Electric Station is the largest in the city. (Smena, 6 May)

ST. PETERSBURG -- THE CITY'S ACCEPTANCE OF THE ENTRY OF A THIRD GASOLINE SUPPLIER on the city market is expected to stabilize supplies to the city and therefore balance gasoline pump prices, according to Mayor Anatoly Sobchak. The firms IUKOS will now be operating with LUKoil and Surgutneftegaz on the Petersburg market. Iukos' gasoline prices are expected to be 10% lower than prices set today by Surgutneftegaz. (Delovoi Peterburg, 14 May)

SOSNOVY BOR, RUSSIA -- A RESTRICTED SAFETY ZONE has been established at the distance of one kilometer in the Gulf of Finland from the water outlet from the nuclear electric station. Boats, including pleasure and fishing, will now be banned from entry into this restricted area. Fishermen in the area are reported to have made particularly large catches in this area in the past due to the warm water discharged from the station into the Gulf in this location. (SPb Vedomosti, 1 May)

TALLINN -- NO MINES HAVE BEEN FOUND YET in the course of a mine searching operation, initiated by the Swedish government, in the Vainameri Sea off Estonia's western coast. The Tallinn Navy Base Chief Andres Ehrenbusch said that the Swedes are searching in the wrong area. The aim of the minesearching operation has been to make the ship routes in Vainameri safe and give practical training to the Swedish military crews. Swedish government has allocated 1.2 million Swedish crowns for the operation. The Swedes want shipping routes in the area to be safe so that the Bay of Riga can be crossed directly without a detour around Saaremaa. Fishermen have sometimes caught the World War I mines in their fishing nets. (ETA, 14 May)

RUHJA, LATVIA -- ESTONIAN AND LATVIAN PREMIERS HAVE AGREED UPON A PRINCIPAL WAY OF SOLVING THE BORDER ISSUE between the two countries. Estonian Premier Tiit Vahi and his Latvian counterpart Andris Skele met in Ruhja to find a way out of the "herring war" which has raised tensions on the sea border of the two Baltic neighbors for three years in the Gulf of Riga. A map has been drawn up and signed by both premiers. Estonia and Latvia agreed to respect the sea border line at once. The agreement is considered a prerequisite for permitting entry into the European Union for the two Baltic countries. (ETA, 10 May)

DAUGVPILS, LATVIA -- CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW HYDRO ELECTRIC POWER PLANT on the Daugava River in the vicinity of Daugavpils is under consideration. Scientists from the Latvian Environmental Protection center, members of the organization Daugavas Loki, and local farmers are all opposed to the project. They argue that environmental damage will exceed any economic advantage gained from the new power plant. Local government and business interests are in favor of the construction to provide relatively inexpensive electric power and to create new job opportunities in the region. (LETA, 14 May)

Conferences, Events, and Meetings

STOCKHOLM -- The first BALLERINA (BALtic Sea Region On-line Environmental Information Resources for INternet Access) workshop will be held 13-14 June. The aim of the workshop is to discuss and provide guidelines on how to make the BALLERINA initiative the gateway for environmental information on the Baltic Sea region on the Internet. BALLERINA will be developed as a cooperative effort among agencies and organizations which produce and disseminate environmental information about the Baltic Sea and its drainage area. Contact Sindre Langaas at langaas@grida.no, or Camilla Wahlman for practical questions about the workshop at cwa@environ.se, tel. +46-8-6981426, fax +46-8-6981584. (BALLERINA, 6 May)

ST PETERSBURG -- A PROPOSAL FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW WASTE DISPOSAL PLANTS was presented to city officials by a German firm headed by Dr. H. Helter. The new plants could be built in the city at a cost six times less expensive than those on the Western European market, according to Dr. Helter. Electricity would also be generated by the new plants. The construction of energy efficient residential housing requiring minimal amounts of electricity and heat were also discussed. The German firm also presented the results of its work in Eastern Europe and Moscow. (Vecher. Peterburg, 8 May)

ST. PETERSBURG -- THE BRITISH KNOW-HOW FUND HAS ANNOUNCED AN ENVIRONMENTAL COMPETITION for environmental organizations in the region which have conducted successful work in the "rebirth of local landscapes". Three organizations will be awarded prizes, including an invitation to Great Britain to meet with environmental experts. Competition applications are available at the British Consulate and are due by September 1. Tel. (812) 325- 60-36 for information. (Vecher. Peterburg, 7 May)

VILNIUS -- THE ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING OF THE "CLUB OF FORMER HITLER-SUPPORTERS" was held recently in Vilnius. Seven thousand Lithuanians are estimated to have fought on the side of Hitler during 1941-44. The Lithuanian Republican Committee of Veterans has judged the creation of the club to be a "provocation". (Smena, May 5)

ST PETERSBURG -- THE WORKING COMMITTEE OF THE YEAR OF GULF OF FINLAND 1996 met in the city on May 6 to discuss the organization of a final report on the environmental state of the Gulf of Finland to be presented later in the year. Estonian and Finnish representatives were present at the meeting. (TEIA, May 6)

LOMONOSOV, RUSSIA -- THE CHILDREN'S ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEST "WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE SUN" took place recently in the city. Essays on the topic of environmental problems and their solutions were judged by an official jury. Teams from the 417th and 436th schools received awards. (Vecher. Peterburg, 13 May)

PARNU, ESTONIA - A MEETING OF ESTONIAN, LATVIAN AND LITHUANIAN PRIME MINISTERS is to take place in Parnu on May 22. The main issues to be tackled are free trade agreements in the Baltic area and Via Baltica highway project. The prime ministers have agreed that the free trade agreement should be extended to agricultural produce. (ETA, May 13)

New Facts and Statistics

ST. PETERSBURG -- ABOUT 1300 CUBIC METERS OF UNTREATED WASTE WATER FLOW into the Neva River each day, according to a new report released by Vodokanal. There are 397 entry points of untreated waste in the city which lead out of apartment houses and enterprises. 150 kilometers of new sewage pipe will be needed to bring those entry points to waste processing facilities. (Delovoi Peterburg, 14 May)

HELSINKI -- FINNISH RESTRICTIONS ON THE IMPORT OF ALCOHOL FROM RUSSIA AND ESTONIA HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED the number of travellers between Tallinn and Helsinki. The number of passengers has dropped 75 percent in May as compared to April. Passenger numbers remain strong on trips that last over 20 hours. From May 1 on people can import alcohol from Estonia and Russia only if their trip to these states lasts for over 20 hours. Tallink has worked out several new cruise programs which are already being sold in Finland. (Eesti Paevaleht, May 14)

RUSSIA -- RUSSIAN CUSTOMS DUTIES FROM ESTONIA INCREASED by an average of ten percent in the first half of May. Previous customs duties were paid on the price of goods. Duties now have to be paid on volumes. The new duties are calculated in ECUs. (Aripaev, May 14)

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