[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 31 (Monday, August 7, 2000)]
[Page 1782]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 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.