[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book II)]
[August 3, 2000]
[Pages 1554-1555]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on Signing the Cross-Border Cooperation and Environmental 
Safety in Northern Europe Act of 2000
August 3, 2000

    Yesterday, I signed H.R. 4249, the ``Cross-Border Cooperation and 
Environmental Safety in Northern Europe Act of 2000.'' This law endorses 
the administration's Northern Europe Initiative (NEI) and highlights the 
need for continued international efforts to address the environmental 
dangers posed by nuclear waste in northwest Russia. I want to express my 
appreciation to Representative Sam Gejdenson 
for introducing and ensuring the passage of this important legislation.
    We launched the Northern Europe Initiative because we recognized, as 
the Congress does in this law, the importance of strengthening regional 
cooperation among the Baltic States, Russia, and all countries bordering 
the Baltic Sea. Only in this way can we create the stability and 
prosperity that will lead to full integration of northern Europe, 
including northwest Russia, into the broader European and transatlantic 
mainstream. Our European friends, especially the Nordic countries and 
the European Union, are full partners in this effort.
    The law also highlights the environmental dangers posed by military 
nuclear waste in northwest Russia. These dangers have been brought to 
light by the work of courageous independent environmentalists and 
nongovernmental organizations in Russia and elsewhere. Aleksandr 
Nikitin, a retired Russian Navy colonel, 
has made important contributions to the international understanding and 
study of environmental problems in this region. Both environmentalists 
and nongovernment organizations face increased challenges today.
    We have been deeply involved in helping Russia and its neighbors 
confront the serious environmental risks that face the Barents Sea, the 
Baltic Sea, and the people who live around them. We look forward to 
increased cooperation

[[Page 1555]]

from Russia as we create a legal framework for our common efforts.

 Note:  H.R. 4249, approved August 2, was assigned Public Law No. 106-
255.