SLOVENIA OFFERS EXPERTISE ON MERCURY REDUCTION

UNCLAS LJUBLJANA 000217

SIPDIS


DEPARTMENT FOR OES/ENV/THOMPSON
DEPARTMENT FOR OES/PCI, EUR/NCE, EUR/ERA
DEPARTMENT PASS TO EPA (STEPHEN JOHNSON, CHARLIE AUER,
SUSAN HAZEN)
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST FOR POSNER-MULLEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV AORC ETRD PREL SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA OFFERS EXPERTISE ON MERCURY REDUCTION

REF: STATE 18970


1. During a 30 March demarche on an unrelated matter,
Emil Ferjancic, Post's main interlocutor at the Ministry
of the Environment, told Econoff and Econ Specialist
Slovenia was interested in providing its expertise in
mercury containment and reduction "if asked to do so."
Post delivered reftel talking points to Ferjancic in
early February, but until this meeting the GOS had yet to
provide a response.


2. Ferjancic said Slovenia has extensive expertise in
addressing mercury containment and reduction, largely
thanks to domestic efforts to contain environmental
mercury at a mine in Idrija in central Slovenia. (Note:
The mine, which no longer produces mercury, is in the
process of being closed down. End note.) Dr. Milena
Horvat of the Jozef Stefan Institute is the leading
Slovenian expert on mercury containment. Horvat's
research is aimed at decreasing the risk of mercury
exposure of the Idrija miners, finding ways to lower the
risk of mercury-related diseases and, most recently,
finding the most appropriate and effective ways to
restore areas contaminated with mercury.


3. Horvat's work resulted in a model for restoration of
contaminated areas. Her model recognizes that larger
areas cannot be treated with conventional measures, such
as burning the soil to trap mercury, as this would
further harm the region's ecosystems. Rather, the model
assesses the long-term environmental and economic impact
of mercury contamination over a wide region. Horvat
developed her model during examination of the region
surrounding the Slovene mine, where mercury contamination
has spread throughout the region all the way to the
Adriatic Sea. The United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP) has adopted Horvat's model. In addition, a group
of Slovene and Chinese scientists are currently using
Horvat's model to address large-scale mercury
contamination issues in China.


4. Horvat's researchers at the Institute organize
conferences and roundtables every 2-3 years. These
conferences involve a wide range of issues pertaining to
mercury contamination. The objective of these meetings,
aside from exchange of scientific findings, is to raise
awareness of mercury contamination problems and the
challenges with restoration of contaminated areas.


5. Post notes that Dr. Horvat could be a valuable
contact on mercury contamination issues and both she and
the GOS are prepared to engage further on this issue at
the request of the Department. Post requests OES
response via cable or email to Econ Officer John Nylin
(nylinjd@state.gov) and Econ Specialist Spela Zlatnar
(zlatnars@state.gov).

HAAS


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2005LJUBLJ00217 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED



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