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CONCLUDING RFMARKS 



To conclude my brief remarks to the Committee, speaking for NOAA 

 I support the approach of an appropriate coordinated interagency 

 assessment of the potential contamination of the Arctic by the 

 Former Soviet Union, and I am anxious to work with you in this 

 regard. NOAA is well positioned, both scientifically and 

 programmatically, to contribute significantly to such an 

 assessment. I do believe that NOAA can best fulfill its 

 responsibilities in this respect, however, by continuing to work 

 with the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee in their 

 deliberations to define an appropriate strategy to respond to the 

 reported contamination of the Arctic by radionuclides and other 

 toxic substances. 



Mr. Chairman, this completes my prepared statement. I will be 

 glad to answer any questions. 



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