UNEP FINDS LOW-LEVEL DU CONTAMINATION IN SERBIA,
MONTENEGRO
A United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) study of six
sites in Serbia and Montenegro that were struck with weapons tipped with depleted uranium (DU) confirmed wide-spread, but low level, DU contamination at five of the sites, according to a March 27 UNEP press release. The studies, conducted in October and November, concluded that the DU contamination did not "present immediate radioactive or toxic risks for the environment or human health," according to the press release. The findings are consistent with an earlier study of DU-contaminated sites in Kosovo. "The most important concern is the potential for future groundwater contamination by corroding penetrators (ammunition tips made out of DU). 

The penetrators recovered by the UNEP team had decreased in mass by 10-15 percent due to corrosion. This rapid corrosion speed underlines the importance of monitoring the water quality at the DU sites on an annual basis," the press release said. "A new finding of particular interest was the detection through modern air sampling techniques of airborne DU particles at two of the sites. While the detected levels were still below international
safety limits, these results have implications for site decontamination and construction work, activities that could potentially stir up DU dust from the ground surface. In addition, the results indicate that DU dust was widely dispersed into the environment following the explosion of DU rounds." The report is available at http://postconflict.unep.ch/
Contact:
UNEP Depleted Uranium Assessment Team Chairman Pekka Haavisto, 
tel: (41-79) 477-0877; e-mail: pekka.haavisto@unep.ch 
or 
UNEP Press Officer Michael Williams (41-22) 917-8242; 
e-mail: michael.williams@unep.ch

MILD EARTHQUAKE DAMAGES HOMES IN BULGARIA
Fifteen earthquakes struck the city of Plovdiv and nearby villages on April 5-7, according to a report from the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (BTA). No one was injured, but hundreds of homes were damaged, mostly in the villa
ge of Krumovo, BTA said. The first shock was the worst and registered 4.3 on the Richter scale, according to the report. The after-shocks ranged from 2.7 to 3.8 on the Richter scale, the report said. 
Contact:
The Bulgarian Ministry of Environment and Waters Press Office, 
tel: (359-2) 940-6231; 
or
Bulgarian Environment Minister Dolores Arssenova, tel: (359-2) 940-6222; web: http://www.moew.government.bg

BULGARIA SET TO RESTART CONSTRUCTION OF ABANDONED BELENE NUKE PLANT
In an effort to keep its promise to the European Union while maintaining its position as an exporter of energy, Bulgaria said on April 9 it will seek to close its Kozloduy nuclear power plant early but restart work on a nuclear plant in the Danube port of Belene, according to reports. The construction of the Soviet-designed Belene plant, which was halted in 1990 due to a lack of cash and environmental protests, is part of a new energy strategy that the government is expected to approve on April 11, according to an April 9 report from Reuters. One goal of the strategy is said to be maintaining Bulgaria's position as the main exporter of energy in South Eastern Europe, even after the closure of the Kozloduy nuclear power plant. In a 2000 agreement with the EU, Bulgaria said it would shut down Kozloduy's two oldest reactors before 2003 and close the other two by 2010 at the latest. 

The EU is pushing to have the last two reactors closed before 2010, and that deadline is subject to negotiations with the European Commission later this year, according to Reuters. Approximately USD 1 billion was spent on constructing the Belene plant, 250 kilometres north of Sofia, and the work, which started in the 1980s was 40 percent finished when the project was abandoned, according to Reuters. A Bulgarian Energy Ministry spokesman reportedly told Reuters that investors from Russia, Canada and Europe have expressed interest in paying for the completion of Belene, which may cost as much as USD 2 billion. 
Contact:
The Bulgarian Ministry of Environment and Waters Press Office,
tel: (359-2) 940-6231; 
or 
Bulgarian Environment Minister Dolores Arssenova, tel: (359-2) 940-6222; web: http://www.moew.government.bg

IGNALINA REACTOR CLOSES FOR MAINTENANCE
The second of the two reactors at Lithuania's Ignalina nuclear power plant was shut down April 8 for annual maintenance until June 5, according to a report from Reuters. The shutdown was reportedly for annual repairs and
maintenance, which is usually conducted in the summer months, when electricity needs are lower. Reactor one was still operating at 1,010 megawatts capacity, according to the report. As part of European Union accession negotiations, Lithuania has pledged to close Ignalina's first unit by 2005, but it has yet to accept an EU recommendation on closing unit two by 2009, Reuters reported. 
Contact:
Lithuanian Environment Ministry, tel: (370-2) 610-588

SLOVAKIA'S BOHUNICE PLANT SHUT DOWN FOR REPAIRS
The first block of the Jaslovske Bohunice nuclear plant in western Slovakia was shut down April 6 for scheduled repairs and a fuel change, according to CTK, the Czech news agency. The block is reportedly going to be restarted on May 18. Both blocks at Jaslovske Bohunice are to be closed down permanently between 2006 and 2008, under an agreement reached with the European Union. 
Contact:
 Slovak Environment Minsitry, tel: (421-7) 5956-2306;
or
Zdenka Tothova, Environment Ministry State Secretary for EU Integration, tel: (421-7) 5956-2491.

TEMELIN'S SECOND BLOCK TO FIRE UP ON APRIL 15
The second block of the Temelin nuclear power plant will be started up for the first time around April 15, and the first block, which was shut down for replacement of faulty fittings, will be restarted by that time, according to a report from CTK, the Czech News Agency. The second block is currently undergoing tests and being checked by inspectors from the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency, CTK reported. Activists in Austria
, where anti-nuclear sentiment is strong, fought to prevent the construction of the plant, which was begun several years ago and then delayed. The Czech government has said that, with upgrades, the Temelin plant is safe,
and they maintain that their country needs the energy source. 
Contact:
Pavel Pitterman, press office, Czech State Office for Nuclear Safety, 
tel: (420-2) 2162-4363; e-mail: press@sujb.cz; 
or 
Jan Haverkamp, Greenpeace Czech Republic, e-mail: jan.haverkamp@ecn.cz; or 
Czech Environment Minister Milos Kuzvart, tel: (420-2) 6712-2719 
or (420-2) 6712-1111; or Greenpeace Austria, tel: (43-1) 545-4580.

DROP IN LITHUANIAN SUPPORT FOR ACCESSION APPARENTLY LINKED TO IGNALINA
Pressure from the European Union to close the Ignalina nuclear power plant, which provides 70 percent of Lithuania's power, has apparently played a big part in making the concept of EU accession less popular in that country recently. According to a report from Reuters, a poll by the Vilmorus agency found that 49.2 percent of Lithuanians polled said they would vote to join the EU, compared with 55 percent who favoured the idea of accession in February. The Reuters report indicated that the controversy over Ignalina may have had an impact on the change in public opinion. Officials in Lithuania have said recently that the country cannot afford to close the reactor unless the EU agrees to give much more financial assistance than it has previously promised. 
Contact:
Lithuanian Environment Ministry, tel: (370-2) 610-588

SLOVENIA 37% AWAY FROM EU LEGAL HARMONISATION
Slovenia still has to adopt 458 regulations, or 37 percent of the total documents necessary, to meet its goal of completely harmonising with European Union regulations by 2002, according to the latest report of the government office for European affairs (SVEZ), cited in an April 8 report from Central Europe Online. According to the report, much remains to be done in the area of environment, where the country needs seven new bills and 70 regulations. The most work remaining is in agriculture, where 149 regulations must be adopted by the end of the year, the report said. 
Contact:
Slovenian Environment Ministry Public Relations Office, Dragica Bratanic, tel: (386-1) 478-7329 or Mateja Gornik, tel: (386-1) 478-7330.

LITHUANIAN OIL TERMINAL BACK IN OPERATION AFTER SPILL
Lithuania's Butinge floating oil terminal, which has been closed since a Nov. 23 spill resulted in the dumping of 40 tons of oil into the Baltic Sea, resumed operations on March 27, according to an April 5 report from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Lithuanian Environment Minister Arunas Kundrotas had said that the November accident was caused by misuse of the terminal facility, lack of sufficient regulation and legislation and lack of accountability among institutions for the terminal's use. 
Contact:
Lithuanian Environment Ministry, tel: (370-2) 610-588

REPORT: CZECH, AUSTRIAN ENVIRONMENT MINISTERS MEET SECRETLY
Czech Environment Minister Milos Kuzvart met secretly with Austrian Environment Minister Wilhelm Molterer on April 4, according to a report from CTK, the Czech news agency. A spokesman for the Czech ministry had denied that the meeting took place, but Kuzvart, who gave a lecture in Vienna the same day, said the two ministers did have an "informal" encounter over dinner, according to an April 5 report from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE). Kuzvart denied that the controversial Temelin nuclear power plant was discussed, but said they instead spoke about a "special agreement on the intensification of bilateral relations," as well as "cross-border cooperation on environmental issues," RFE reported. 
Contact:
Czech Environment Minister Milos Kuzvart, tel: (420-2) 6712-2719 
or (420-2) 6712-1111.

WEB SITE SEEKS COLUMNIST TO WRITE ABOUT CEE ENVIRONMENT
"Transitions Online," a web-based journal on the post-communist region, has announced that they are looking to hire someone from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) to write a regular bi-weekly column on environmental issues in the region. The preferred candidate would be someone who grew up in the region, has a strong command of English, good writing skills and a good knowledge of environmental issues in CEE. For information, or to apply, 
Contact:
Victor Gomez, Senior Editor, "Transitions Online," e-mail: gomezv@tol.cz; web: http://www.tol.cz

NEW SITE ALLOWS WORLD TO FOLLOW JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT
A new web site, called the "Virtual Exhibition," is designed to allow people all over the world to participate in this summer's upcoming World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, according to the developers
of the site: Business Action for Sustainable Development (BASD) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). According to the front page of the site, "By visiting this website at any time during the two weeks of the summit, you can see what is happening in Johannesburg or get a taste of what is happening in the wider world. If you have a sustainable development project to share with the world, you have found the perfect platform. If you want to be a part of the Johannesburg summit, you have found the perfect vehicle." The Virtual Exhibition is to be broadcast live on big screens all around the summit venues in Johannesburg, so delegates can stay in touch as well, according to the BASD. To find out how you can follow the summit, or to post information about an environmental initiative, see the site at: http://www.virtualexhibit.net/

WHO OFFERS FELLOWSHIPS FOR JOURNALISTS
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is offering a fellowship for seven reporters with experience in medical, health policy or foreign affairs reporting in print or electronic media, according to an announcement. All costs
will be covered for the Oct. 14-25 fellowship, which will include briefings at the WHO headquarters and a chance to use WHO resources, the announcement said. The application deadline is set at April 30. For more information and an application form, see the web site at: http://www.who.int/inf/en/fellowship_programme.html

PESTICIDE ACTION NORTH AMERICA SEEKS MEDIA COORDINATOR
Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA) has announced that they are seeking to hire a media coordinator who would be responsible for developing and implementing PANNA's media outreach strategy, organising press conferences, creating press materials and developing relationships with the media. The position with the San Francisco-based organisation would be part-time but could become full-time, the announcement said. Candidates should be fluent in English and have at least three years of direct media experience, and "people from diverse, multicultural backgrounds and/or with international experience" are strongly urged to apply for the job, the announcement said. Send resume, cover letter and at least three relevant writing samples, via fax or email, to: PANNA Media Coordinator Search, Attention: Angelica Barrera, fax (1-415) 981-1991, 
e-mail: angelica@panna.org

US ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OFFERS THREE-MONTH PUBLISHING INTERNSHIP
The Ecological Society of America (ESA), a North American professional society of ecologists, has announced that it is seeking an intern who is interested in learning about scientific publishing and can research and review articles. According to the announcement: "College undergraduates and recent college graduates are welcome to apply. Interests and background may include biology, zoology, ecology and experience in scientific publishing or journalism. For a three month commitment, ESA will offer a USD 2,000 stipend." To apply, send a resume and cover letter via mail or e-mail, by May 31, to: Dr. Sue Silver, Ecological Society of America, 1400 Spring Street, Suite 330, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910-2749, U.S.; 
e-mail: suesilver@esa.org