protection of the Arctic environment. These problems include i.a. the accumulation of 

 radioactive waste, spent fiiel and decommissioned submarines at naval bases. 



Significant work in confidence-building, as well as in research, has also been done in the 

 NATO/NACC/CCMS Pilot study on cross-border environmental problems emanating from 

 defence-related installations and activities. The study is a result of a Norwegian initiative in 

 1992 to exploit the new possibilities opened up by the end of the cold war and the creation of 

 the North Atlantic Cooperation Council (NACC). The participation of more than 20 countries 

 and the final reports on radioactive and chemical pollution bear witness to the success of the 

 first phase of the study. Phase two has recently been launched with broad participation and 

 with the following sub-topics: 



* Hazardous constituents in defence-related activities, with the USA as the lead country. 



* Transport of contaminants through rivers, deltas, and estuaries, with France as the lead 

 country. 



* Safe disposal of radioactive and mixed waste, with Norway as the lead country. 



* Environmental risk assessments for specific defence-related problems, also with 

 Norway as the lead country. 



We have great expectations that phase two of this NATO/NACC/CCMS Pilot study will help 

 us develop a common understanding of the challenges identified in phase one. It is important 

 to identify the know-how and technologies needed as well as organizational aspects of 

 managing defence-related environmental problems. 



TTie Russian Federation, Norway, USA, France and the European Commission have 

 established an Advisory Committee to co-ordinate their efforts to assist Russia to deal with 

 the vessel "Lepse". which is used for storing spent nuclear fuel in the Murmansk harbour. We 

 believe that the choice of technological solution to this problem, as well as the organizational 

 model, may be relevant for other, similar projects, too. 



A Norwegian-Russian project to formulate a programme for the complete disposal of Russian 

 nuclear-powered submarines decommissioned from the Northern Fleet, may form the basis 

 for future international co-operation concerning one of the most serious environmental threats 

 in Northwest Russia. A Norwegian company, financed under our Plan of Action on nuclear 

 affairs, is taking part in developing this programme. This and other projects indicate an 

 increasing openness on the Russian side about nuclear problems, and an increasing 

 commitment to address them. 



As for other countries' and international organizations' co-operation with the Russian 

 Federation concerning radioactive waste management programmes, I would like to draw your 

 attention to the proceedings from the IAEA seminar in May 1 995 on International co- 

 operation on nuclear waste management in the Russian Federation. 



