What is this legacy?

­ Huge weapon arsenals: Destruction of them is problematic because they contain large quantities of dangerous materials. Installations once used by the military can only be transformed into safe areas for civilian purposes through very expensive, extensive cleanup and decontamination work.

­ Economic problems: converting military facilities into private production areas is not only difficult. All too often it means the loss of jobs for the community. At the same time, many companies hesitate to invest in installations that were formerly military bases because they are afraid of residual contamination.

­ Health problems: In the past, production in the military sector was often exempted from environmental regulations because national security was considered more important. The result: large areas surrounding millitary facilities are often heavily contaminated. The population there suffers from chronic illnesses, there is a growing threat of migration.

­ Communication problems: The people in many countries don't trust the military and even the government, which makes it extremely difficult to undertake any measures for cleaning up military contamination.

The Green Cross Legacy Program is actively engaged in both Russia and the USA with three components:

­ RadLeg (Radiation Legacy); In the early 90's Russia realized that it did not have adequate information to repair the environmental damage resulting from the production of nuclear materials for military purposes. Over the past two years, in close cooperation with the Russian Atomic Ministry and independent institutes, the Green Cross Russia put together an inventory of the environmental contamination legacy. This year these results will be published in a book that is understandable to the public at large. The data of the inventory will be used to define cleanup priorities.

­ ChemTrust (Chemical Weapons, Trustbuilding for their destruction): Together, the USA and Russia have over 99% of the known chemical weapons stockpiles. The destruction programs in both countries are confronted with energetic resistance from the people, who do not trust the Army's capability to destroy these weapons in an environmentally sound way. In Russia, the Green Cross has carried out several scientific programs in an attempt to cool these heated discussions down to a more objective level.

And in both Superpowers, in the role of a neutral mediator, it has held a series of hearings which were attended by representatives of the Army, the Central Government, local governments, activist organisations and inhabitants of the contaminated regions. In the future, the Green Cross will concentrate on providing information directed at both the population and the novernments, mediatinn between them and organising oroiects which focus on those who are directly affected (e.g., training hospital­ personnel about chemical weapons, etc.).

­ SocMed (Social­Medical projects): The Green Cross helps people afflicted by chemical and nuclear environmental contamination by organising medical investigation programs and therapy camps. Using both classic and alternative methods, doctors engaged in the programs help treat chronically ill patients, compile more extensive information about the symptoms and develop new methods of treatment. The Legacy Program employs 60 to 80 persons annually in Russia, thereby helping to prevent the exodus of experts who are urgently needed in their own country. Hiring local professionals (in Russia and the USA) also benefits the program by having competent people on location that share national and cultural characteristics with the inhabitants of the area. There are many ways to support the Legacy Program: with financial support, in the form of professional know­how or with goods, materials and supplies.

Updates in 1997

31 October 1997: The Russian State Duma ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The CWC is an international disarmament treaty, which prohibits the development, production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons and places their destruction under international control.

5 May 1997: In an unprecedented request, Green Cross Russia, Global Green USA and Green Cross Switzerland have been asked by the Russian and American Ministries of Defence to act as a non-partisan mediator and facilitate public decision-making in the construction of a chemical weapons destruction facility in Shchuch'ye (Kurgan Oblast, Russia). In response, the three Green Cross affiliates organise the third Russian public hearing on chemical weapons destruction between July 7-11, 1997, in Kurgan and Shchuch'ye. In addition, the organizations initiated independent studies of the state of environment and public health in the Kurgan Oblast as well as an assessment of the risk of continued stockpiling vs. destruction.

The first destruction facility for Russian nerve agents will be built near Shchuch'ye, a settlement in the Southern Urals. Construction is funded through the United States Government's Nunn-Lugar programme to support Russia's efforts to decommission its arsenal of weapons of mass destruction.

17 March 1997: The Russian Ministry of Defence and Green Cross Russia signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The MoU approves GCR the status of an independent expert and non-partisan mediator in disputes between citizens and authorities in the chemical weapons destruction process.

Projects for 1997/1998 in Russia and Belarus The most important contributions that an NGO can make to overcome the Cold War Legacy are publicity campaigns, information political decision­makers, the promotion of dialogue, mediation and help for local inhabitants suffering from this legacy. In 1997 RadLeg will publish the findings of its inventory in a book. More hearings concerning the destruction of C­weapons are being planned for Russia and the USA. Further analyses must be made in Russia to increase the effectiveness of information disseminated to the population as well as the politicians ­ to speed up the process of definite disarmament activities. Medical support will be continued with three more Therapy Camps held in Russia and Belarus and hospital personnel will be trained on C weapons issues. The work of the Legacy Program in Russia will be complimented through the Green Cross' "Environmental Education" program.

Virtually all projects will be carried out in collaboration with the relevant ministries and institutions such as universities, the Army and private organisations. The planned project volume for 1997/98 is $2.5 million. Depending on the political developments in 1997, new projects will be added to our program spectrum.

The most important events in 1996

1996 was a busy year for the Legacy Program. RadLeg completed 80% of its inventory. ChemTrust made two extensive risk analyses about chemical weapons stockpiles, which received a very positive echo from the Russian Ministry of Defence, who adopted it as a procedural planning concept. These risk analyses are important as a basis for establishing security zones around the chemical weapon storage areas and, to the community authorities, for setting up an alarm system for emergencies. The Green Cross Russia was given a seat in the Duma Commission, which has been established to draft the Russian iaw for the destruction of C weapons. With the coordination of the Green Cross Russia an independent environmental expertise concent was drafted. This is presently being evaluated. The hearings in Izhevsk. Washington and Indiananolis indicate once again how important ­ and how difficult ­ the dialogue between the Army and the population is. The Green Cross' role in increasing public awareness of chemical disarmament worldwide; promoting a dialogue between government officials, army representatives and the public; and supporting the communities living around chemical weapons stockpiles to meet the demands of enhanced safety and emergency preparedness was emphatically recognized by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

The OPCW considers the lack of public awareness about chemical weapons to be one of the most important reasons why disarmament has not had more suc­cess. But because the OPCW is not allowed to engage in any public relations activities, the possibility of the Green Cross assuming this function is presently being discussed. In 1996, considerable media work (newspapers, TV, lectures, radio) was done in German­speaking Europe. The Green Cross also initiated a coordination meetinn to synchronize western aid in Kambarka (C weapon stockpile in the Urals), to avoid the duplication of efforts in the region. The 2nd Therapy Camp for chemical and nuclear afflicted children was held in Belarus.

Finances 1994­1996 The Legacy Program began in 1994 with the financial support of the Swiss Confederation's Agency for Development and Cooperation. The 1st Therapy Camp in Belarus took place in Summer of '95. From 1994 to 1996, the Legacy Program had a turnover of $1,697,000.

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