N E W S
Balkan News
REC Balkan initiative
The REC is developing a new initiative for the Balkans aimed at strengthening civil society in the environmental field. The REC believes that a strong environmental civil movement is the only chance for sustainable development in the region, by contributing to democratic development, environmental improvement, sustainable resource use and national and regional stability and security. Target countries would include, in order of priority: Kosovo, Yugoslavia; Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania and FYR Macedonia; and Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania. The REC already has raised some EUR 400,000, enabling it to begin work through its country and project offices in Belgrade, Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Tirana, Skopje and Zagreb. The REC offices are staffed with local people trained for an international context who continued operating during civil unrest in Albania in 1997 and the recent bombing of Yugoslavia.
Bulgaria to query Yugoslavia
Bulgaria's Environment Ministry said on June 28 that it would ask its counterpart in Yugoslavia to explain heavy pollution in the Timok border river, according to Reuters. The colour of the Timok river, which flows into the Danube near the town of Bregovo on the border with Yugoslavia, changed to grey and black on June 27 and many dead fish had been seen floating, environment officials were quoted as saying by Reuters. Officials said the pollution could have been caused by a Serbian copper mine near the town of Bor, bombed during NATO's air campaign.
Romania wants Danube dam
Romanian Transportation Minister Traian Basescu said on June 21 that Romania would like a new dam on the Danube River included in Western-led plans for Balkan reconstruction, according to a report from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Basescu said the dam would be an alternative to the Bulgarian plan for constructing a second Danube-crossing bridge between Vidin and Calafat. He added that the dam could ease train and road traffic and provide an alternative source of power to Bulgaria's controversial Kozloduy nuclear plant.
DU websites
Two websites contain extensive articles and links on the subject of depleted uranium (DU) weapons. According to several sources, depleted uranium weapons, reportedly used by NATO while bombing Yugoslavia, can have a dangerous impact on the environment for years after they are used. See the web site at http://www.web-light.nl/VISIE/ud_main.html.
(Source: REC Media Information Service)
