11 



April 20, 1992 



The Honorable Robert Strauss 



United States Ambassador to Russia 



Moscow (El 



Ulitsa Chaykovskogo 19/21/23 



RUSSIA 



Dear Bob, 



The State of Alaska has recently learned of a radioactive release from the nuclear 

 power plant at Bilibino, Russia, on July 10, 1991. This facility is closer to most 

 communities in western Alaska than to the state capitol. 



There is currently in place an international agreement that requires notification of 

 these types of incidents to nearby or potentially-affected countries. The state is 

 concerned about the lack of notification regarding this incident. I would like to 

 know what caused this failure to carry out provisions of the agreement and what 

 steps are being taken to ensure that the State of Alaska receives prompt 

 notification of all future incidents. 



This notification is critical for several reasons. First, and most importantly, the 

 State of Alaska must be able to provide prompt information to protect our citizens 

 from potential hazards. Second, the state must have injmediate^and direct 

 information if we are to establish a meaningful monitoring systdrp to evaluate 

 possible impacts. Third, the state may be able to share resources with the Russian 

 agencies and communities that may be directly affected by a radiological release. 



Recent information indicates that there have been 270 un'scheduled'sioppages of 

 nuclear reactors and five (5) releases from nuclear power plantsm Russia since 

 January 1, 1991. We also have a report that even as this nuclear power station 



