22/05/2015
Original article in Russian
Recently, a conference was held in Atyrau on oil spills on land and at sea
Almost all speakers of the greatest concern is the risk of spills in the Kazakh sector of the Caspian Sea, the consequences of which can be disastrous both for the biological resources of the sea, and for the residents of the western region of the country. This will be discussed with a known environmentalist, head of the NGO "Caspian Tabigat" Makhambet Khakimov .
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- Mahambet Galymzhanovich, as we discovered in the last agreement between NCOC and Kazakhstan, signed in December 2014, this type of insurance is provided by the Consortium (see. "AJ» ¹19 from 07.05.2015, the "Kashagan: insured everything except ... "), but we are not immune!
-The fact of the matter is that in this agreement, the parties settled the kind of production, financial and other issues, but the terms of their agreement announced confidential. But in this case all the assurances about the safety of their work does not dissipate concerns of society on the protection and sohraneniyaKaspiya.
Such contracts the parties can not be classified, except to believe in their reality? In addition, the secrecy - is a complete violation of the provisions of the famous local and international EITI (Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative) and the Aarhus Convention, which in the Republic of Kazakhstan approved as an international law superior to national laws. Especially since we are now raising the issue of the need for national and international programs for the conservation of the Caspian Sea with compulsory insurance. Therefore, our social position and the recommendation is as follows: a practical solution to the issues of security in general ban all oil operations in the Caspian shelf and thus preserve it all works.
That is what the developed world. For example, you have heard somewhere that the United States were responsible for environmental violations oil companies in the Gulf of Mexico, or the United Kingdom - the North Sea ?! And in the Agreement between Kazakhstan and the CCM reason for such violations shall be liable only Kazakh side. Kazakhstan is an independent country or a colony? If the independent state of Kazakhstan, it is necessary, as in other "civilized" countries, immediately remove the article from the existing Agreement with CCM and create insurance fund at the expense of the JCC and other marine operators, t. To. It is their future activities for the BMSC is directly and a real threat to the existence of the Caspian Sea.
In this case, of course, the company of the JCC will threaten us (not for the first time) departure from the project, but it do not be upset, and should be happy. And Caspian "oil mine" there will always be other contractors, not the latter-day owners! And, most importantly, there is also need to preserve all fields BMSC. And our descendants for the XXI century more dignified and reasonable disposition of the NC (emergency supply), the application of new technologies.
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Well, pretty emotional, but I'm afraid you will not listen to the officials. The voice of the public, they never listen, even if that voice of the right things. An example - the situation with the construction of the North-Caspian Base oil spill response. The public in the face of environmental NGOs said, there can not be built, even sued. We lost the trial, and the base was built. A few years later it is recognized useless!
- Meanwhile, the public freedom of expression - this is not my whim. It is based on the well-known article 33 of the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which gives citizens the right to participate in public affairs. And full support for these features is a global Aarhus Convention and the international EITI. It implies the right of the Aarhus Convention on public access to information, participation in decision-making and the involvement of justice.
Another recommendation: state agencies need to change the strategy and tactics in relation to the rights of man and nature. And then everything changed! It is known, if the problem in this case, ecological, can not be solved, and only drive inside (government or company), in this case, it is not surprising manifestations have "non-environmental problems." These are the problems associated with the socio-economic and other requirements of the manifestations of separatism and even other disasters and violations of peace in society.
In its activities, the NGO "Caspian Tabigat" as a member of the public association "Azamattyk Kurultai" (citizens' assembly) is guided by the facts, for example, violations of environmental laws of RK and is not engaged in a proof of someone's guilt (that is the lot of the competent authorities). We have just the social aspect in solving any problem. And because of this committed to coordinating the efforts of all parties and establish communication (opinion, the laws, criticism, the search for solutions, advice and so on. D.) With all sectors of society. Well, if you manage to combine all sides to solve any problems, it will be a real incarnation of democratic principles!
