EDITORIAL: Time to act (05/26/96)

EDITORIAL

Time to act

"... We appeal to the people of the world to unite their efforts in assisting us in overcoming Chornobyl's consequences. Despite major efforts on the national and international levels, including several U.N. resolutions, there is still very much to be done. New vigorous international efforts are needed to help address victims suffering in Belarus, Ukraine and Russia through provision of humanitarian and medical assistance, and increased scientific cooperation." - From the trilateral statement issued in Washington on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear accident by Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus Serguei N. Martynov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation Yuli M. Vorontsov and Ambassador of Ukraine Yuri M. Shcherbak.

Observances of the 10th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster, for the most part, are now over. Many moving speeches have been given, many noble sentiments have been expressed. Many promises have been made.

Among the most moving events was the commemoration of the tragic decennial hosted at the White House by First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, assisted by Vice President Al Gore, to focus attention on the continuing devastating effects of the disaster. All the right words were spoken and references were made to a panoply of issues, from the ailing victims to alternate energy sources. "...let's not forget that humanitarian assistance is not a short-term investment. The people and nations of Ukraine, Belarus and Russia are struggling to build the infrastructure and institutions needed to sustain democracy and repair the human spirit after harsh decades of totalitarianism. It is our duty, it is our moral responsibility, as believers in freedom and democracy, to help them," the first lady emphasized.

There were fine words from Congress, too. The presumptive Republican candidate for president, Robert Dole, while still a senator spoke on April 24 in support of a concurrent resolution on Chornobyl: "Just as the United States joined with the Ukrainian people to defeat communism, we must work in partnership to overcome the tragic consequences of Chornobyl." His colleague on the other side of the political aisle, Sen. Frank Lautenberg, added his voice in support of the resolution: "At this very delicate time in Ukraine's history, the United States should support Ukraine's efforts to rebuild its infrastructure and to secure the alternative energy sources it needs to close Chornobyl in a safe and expeditious manner." In the House Rep. Chris Smith spoke for passage of the resolution, underlining that "continued and enhanced international cooperation is vital to address the suffering of millions."

The resolution itself, which passed in the Senate on April 25 and in the House on May 22, calls on the president to "support continued and enhanced United States assistance to provide medical relief, humanitarian assistance, social impact planning and hospital development for Ukraine, Belarus, Russia and other nations most heavily afflicted by Chornobyl's aftermath." as well as to encourage national and international health organizations to expand the scope of research into the disaster's public health consequences, and to support to the closing of the plant and broadening of regional energy sources.

Again, the right words were invoked.

At the same time, however, other activists report that there is a decrease in U.S. funding for such matters. Dr. Daniel Hryhorczuk reported at Yale University conference on Chornobyl that the Ukrainian Environmental Health Project that he directs as a joint U.S.-Ukrainian study of thyroid cancers, has now stalled due to a lack of commitment at the highest levels of the U.S. government, both its legislative and executive branches. He is seeking a renewed commitment to this public health project.

Other activists are seeking support for new and much-needed initiatives. Dr. Wladimir Wertelecki, chairman of the department of medical genetics at the University of South Alabama Medical School, has submitted a proposal to Office of International Health Programs at the U.S. Department of Energy to support a symposium on Chornobyl's genetic implications that will is being organized to take place during the International Congress of Human Genetics in Rio De Janeiro in August. Dr. Wertelecki is also in the process of presenting a proposal to USAID to establish a U.S.-Ukraine partnership to monitor birth defects, a vital project since genetic mutations have already been observed in children of parents exposed to Chornobyl's radiation, as reported in the prestigious journal Nature.

Now comes the time to consider whether words will lead to action. Chornobyl is not just an event to be recalled and then forgotten until the next anniversary. It effects are far-reaching; its victims are real people. We expect that the world's leaders, including our government officials in the United States, will keep their word.

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