DEMARCHE ON MERCURY ISSUES: TANZANIA TO HOLD

UNCLAS DAR ES SALAAM 000423 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT OES/ENV FOR HFINMAN ALSO AF/E FOR JLIDDLE ADDIS FOR ESTH HUB OFFICE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC EAGR ETRD SENV TZ SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON MERCURY ISSUES: TANZANIA TO HOLD STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS REF: STATE 063943 ¶1. (SBU) Eric Mugurusi, Tanzania's Director for the Department of Environment in the Vice President's Office, told EconOffs July 1 that Tanzania has not yet decided which type of global framework it favors to address problems with mercury contamination. Mugurusi confirmed that the GOT currently participates in mercury working groups at the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) in order to discuss safe handling of the element. Tanzania intends to participate in the second meeting of the UNEP-hosted Ad Hoc Open Ended Working Group scheduled for October 2008. ¶2. (SBU) In Tanzania, mercury is imported and is used primarily for extraction techniques in small-scale gold mining, in thermometers for medical uses, and in instruments for meteorological use. While Mugurusi suggested that he would like to see lead and cadmium incorporated into current international frameworks pertaining to hazardous waste and element minimization, he noted that the GOT considers its position on mercury to be still a "moving target." The principal concern of the GOT is to focus on ways to reduce anthropogenic emissions that affect miners and extraction workers who use mercury in smaller gold mines, particularly in Western Tanzania. During the second half of July, the GOT,s Department of Environment will hold a series of meetings with Tanzanian mercury stakeholders throughout the country to listen to views and concerns on all sides in order to formulate a concrete stance on containing mercury contamination. GREEN