CRNKOVIĆ: CROATIA IGNORES THAT TRGOVSKA GORA PROJECT DISREGARDS CITIZENS' CONCERNS

ZAGREB, JUNE 24 /SRNA/ – Mario Crnković, president of the Green Team association from Novi Grad, believes that keeping the Trgovska Gora issue in the public spotlight places those seeking to locate radioactive and other hazardous waste near the Una River in an increasingly difficult position.

Speaking at the roundtable discussion "Nuclear Waste Management in the Municipality of Dvor - Problems and Solutions" in Zagreb today, Crnković said he focused on the issue from a citizen`s perspective rather than delving into technical details.

"Authorities in Croatia continue to ignore the fact that Trgovska Gora is fundamentally a political decision dating back to the 1997-1999 period, so I was particularly pleased to remind participants of that fact. It was also uncomfortable for some to hear my remarks about the disregard shown toward residents on the right bank of the Una River, as well as the misuse of concerns about women's health in promoting the idea of transporting radioactive waste to an area near the Una", Crnković told SRNA.

He pointed out that Croatian authorities conducted all field research before completing demining operations.

"It has not been forgotten that they essentially ignored the entire territory of BiH and politically, procedurally and communicatively locked in Trgovska Gora as the sole location, contrary to the best international practices they constantly cite", Crnković pointed out.

He argued that this approach runs counter not only to common sense but also to good-neighborly relations and responsible management of radioactive and other hazardous waste.

"There is significant time pressure to find a solution for the disposal of radioactive and other hazardous waste, while an even greater unresolved issue concerns the additional quantities that will emerge once Croatia builds nuclear capacities on its own territory, a process that has already entered its initial stages", Crnković said.

He emphasized that he was pleasantly surprised that the presentation by long-time Croatian environmental activist Toni Vidan was even more comprehensive than his own, addressing numerous inconsistencies surrounding the case, from the issue of micro-locations at Trgovska Gora and procedural shortcomings to questions regarding the distinction between disposal and storage facilities.

Crnković said he had every reason to be satisfied with the discussion.

"On the other hand, based on what was said during the panel and on previously available information, it is evident that Croatian authorities are preparing strategic maneuvers intended, in my view, to present BiH`s active participation in the decision-making process merely as a formality. Such an approach will not succeed and cannot substantially influence the development of the case because the key mistakes have already been made", Crnković said.

He expressed hope that today`s event would serve as at least a small step toward making Croatia`s key decision-makers aware of the absurdity of the Trgovska Gora case, as they clearly have only a partial picture of the issue.

"Our task is to maintain continuity, ensure that the holiday season is not wasted, and continue preparations for the processes that should take place ahead of the environmental study", Crnković stated.

The roundtable discussion, titled "Nuclear Waste Management in the Municipality of Dvor - Problems and Solutions", was organized today in Zagreb by the Serbian National Council and the Municipality of Dvor.

Croatia plans to store radioactive waste from the Krško Nuclear Power Plant, as well as existing institutional radioactive waste, at Trgovska Gora in the Municipality of Dvor, directly on the border with BiH.