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IV. 



PoUutioa is by far the greatest threat to die Arctic region and its 

 Aituie sustainable development The serious environmental problems 

 stemming from past Soviet activities is an acute exan^le hig^ghting the 

 urgency for more active international co-operation to control and monitor 

 pollution on regional and global levels. 



Hi particular the recently disclosed experience frt>m past Soviet 

 activities demonstrates the urgency for a globally implemented total ban 

 on discharge of toxic substances, persistent organic substances, heavy 

 metals and radioactive materials into the sea from land-based sources, as 

 well as on emplacing such materials under die sea bed. Let us also bear 

 in mind that in the context of possible global warming the marine 

 environmoit provides one of the most important sinks for carbon dioxide. 

 Increased marine pollution will undoubtedly reduce the assimilative 

 capacity of the oceans. The Soviet experience illustrates also the 

 immediate need for effective international regulations and supervision 

 controlling sea-borne nuclear reactors and all ocean transport of 

 radioactive or other hazardous substances and toxic wastes, whether for 

 military or civilian purposes. 



The Government of Iceland avails itself of this opportunity to 

 confirm its commitment to the protection of the marine environment. It is 

 the fim view of the Govemmem that the highest priority must be 

 attached to this task to safeguard our plant from ecological disaster. 

 Therefore every effort possible should be pursued to curtail any 

 consequences that past and present activities within the area of the former 

 Soviet Union might have upon the environment of the Arctic region and 

 the nordiem seas. 



