Central Europe Has Suffered Environmental Disaster Of The Greatest Magnitude - Please Join Our Demonstration On April 1st & 2nd, At The Romanian Embassy, Washington DC

[Robert Imreh]

To Whom It May Concern:

Twice within a period of six weeks, Central Europe has suffered
environmental disasters of the greatest magnitude. Both originated in
Romania.

On January 30, 2000, a cyanide spill from a Romanian mining operation
inflicted environmental damage comparable only to the massive release of
radiation that followed a fire and explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear
power plant in the Ukraine. The cyanide and metal byproducts escaping from
the Aurul gold mine in Romania found their way into a tributary of the
Tisza, the second largest river of Hungary. The Tisza carried the toxic
material into the Danube winding its way through Vojvodina in Serbia,
Romania and Bulgaria into the Black Sea. The cyanide killed all life in
the Tisza and caused untold environmental and economic damage in the lower
Danube basin.

Less than six weeks later, on March 10, 2000, heavy rain and melting snow
burst a dam at the Baia Borsa lead and zinc mine in Northern Romania, 115
miles from the Hungarian border. Some 20,000 tons of heavy metal sludge
were released into a tributary of the Viso river, which then carried it,
once again, into the Tisza. The river, once called the "Blonde Tisza"
because of its beautiful sandy color, has turned black. According to
Romanian authorities, the lead concentration of the river is twice above
permissible levels, the zinc concentration nine times. The heavy metal
spill has completed the destruction of the upper part of the Tisza, begun
by the cyanide spill. Moreover, in Romania alone, the disaster may cost
some 2,400 workers their jobs.

An environmental disaster knows no borders. Clouds of dust generated by a
massive volcanic outbreak in the Philippines or in Mexico may filter out
sunshine halfway around the world. That cannot be prevented. But these two
catastrophic events in Romania did not need to happen. They occurred as
the direct result of the Romanian government's cavalier attitude about
environmental issues. Romania, as well as other countries that fail to act
immediately to forestall disasters, which could be prevented, must be
compelled by the world community to do so. The existing body of
international law, including environmental treaties must be enforced
without delay and strengthened where necessary.

We invite all organizations and individuals who care for the preservation
of our environment to show their support and join us at a demonstration in
front of the Romanian Embassy in Washington, DC 1607 23rd Street, NW, from
11 am - 2 pm, both Saturday, April 1st & 2nd, 2000.

We extend a special invitation to all Americans whose roots are in the
region directly affected by the two recent disaster -- Romania,
Transylvania, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Vojvodina, Bulgaria, Moldova, Ukraine,
as well as the European Union.

If you are unable to join us in Washington, we urge you to organize a
demonstration in your hometown. We all share the same environment, let us
take a stand to save it!

For further information and details, please contact:

Robert Imreh
Software Engineer
Washington, DC, USA
E-mail: Rimreh at earthlink.net
Web: http://home.earthlink.net/~szsz1848/cyanidespill/