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Despite being a

picion among some Russians that U.S.

out in assessing the need for environmental

motives go beyond the environmental.

security programs. U.S. efforts in the Arctic

test case for envi-

Various sensitive areas such as the deteriorat-

may be "heavily conditioned by the bilateral

ronmental securi-

ing nuclear storage facilities at Andreyeva

relationship with Russia," but they will play a

ty, it is unclear

Bay, between Murmansk and the Norwegian

significant role in conditioning that relation-

border, remain closed to American and inter-

ship, too, and most probably in a negative

how environmen-

way.8 8This must be weighed against the tout-

national officials to prevent espionage.

tal problems in

Andreyeva Bay lies only one mile away, across

ed benefit--negation of an environmental

a fjord, from Russia's Nerpichya naval base,

threat to the United States.

the Arctic affect

which is home to six Typhoon-class sub-

America's nation-

National Interests

marines, each carrying 200 strategic nuclear

al interests.

warheads.8 4 Norway has already discovered

Is there really a threat? Russian suspicions

are certainly awakened by the realization that

the problems of attempting to deal with the

U.S. actions do not seem to fit with U.S.

Andreyeva Bay site, which is one of the worst

rhetoric. Despite being a test case for envi-

areas of environmental negligence. Oslo is

ronmental security, it is unclear how envi-

currently providing funds for projects that it

ronmental problems in the Arctic affect

is not allowed to supervise; the Russian gov-

America's national interests. Applying the

ernment will provide only photographs once

the work is completed.8 5

various linkages between environmental

degradation and security described earlier

In another incident, the U.S. ambassador

does not shed any light on the matter.

to Russia canceled his visit to Krasnoyarsk-26

Northwestern Russia is not a potential mar-

in Siberia for the opening ceremony of an

ket for American goods, nor does it hold

American-funded business center when his

resources likely to be accessible to American

top science adviser, Thomas Maertens, was

companies in the near future, particularly

refused permission to accompany him to the

closed nuclear city.8 6 According to Michael

given the Russian military presence there.

The potential for regional instability is low,

Gordon of the New York Times, access to

since the area is sparsely populated, and even

Russian nuclear sites is a problem because of

if civil unrest were to occur, it would likely be

"frustration felt by the Russians over restric-

fairly contained. U.S. military intervention in

tions placed on their visits to the U.S. DoE's

the area would thus be foolhardy and highly

headquarters and laboratories, the sheer

improbable. The attempt to build democra-

number of American visitors to the Russian

cy, trust, and understanding has been wholly

weapons complex and a residual distrust

unsuccessful, as all the evidence suggests.

within Russia's Ministry of Atomic Energy

about U.S. intentions."8 7 Pushing the

Beyond the strategic value of removing

nuclear weapons, the only possible environ-

Russians on their own soil, without offering

mental rationale for the American presence is

much disclosure on one's own, is bound to

that radionuclide contamination may spread

wound pride and cause resentment. William

across the Arctic Ocean to enter the food

Perry's goal of building "democracy, trust

chains in Alaska and affect human and

and understanding" is, not unexpectedly, not

marine health in the United States. However,

being attained in Russia.

the government's own studies have demon-

How far is the U.S. government prepared

strated that that is not a realistic prospect.

to push its objectives if it starts to meet seri-

One of the earliest studies, under the

ous resistance? What is the likelihood that

Arctic Nuclear Waste Assessment Program,

pursuing current goals will actually inflame

carried out by the Office of Naval Research at

resentment to the point where U.S.-Russian

DoD, focused on the effects of Arctic conta-

relations deteriorate dramatically? Those are

mination on the state of Alaska. The study,

unanswered questions, but they are part of

sponsored by Alaska's senators and funded

the risk calculation that should be carried

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