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Dispute Over Possible Environmental Catastrophe in Russia

A Russian environmental official warned Monday of an impending environmental catastrophe as a major oil spill was reported in one of the country`s major export pipelines, near the border with Ukraine and Belarus. Russian Natural Resources Ministry spokesman Rinat Gizatulin said the spill had "affected some 4 square miles and has already contaminated local water sources and forests in the western province of Bryansk."

A spokesman for OAQ Transneft, Mikhail Sayapin, said, "Now there is no problem." The pipeline in question runs for 2,485 miles, and supplies oil to eastern and central Europe. Russia`s oil policies toward neighbors that willingly leave Moscow`s orbit, such as Ukraine, have sparked criticism throughout Europe. At full capacity and friendly conditions, the oil pipeline can deliver up to 1.2 million barrels of oil per day. Still, Russian officials weren`t convinced.

"Judging by information reaching the ministry from representatives of environmental organizations, the consequences of the accident may be an environmental catastrophe in the region," Gizatulin stated. However, the operator of the pipeline, OAO Transneft, disagrees with the extent of the spill as claimed by the RNR Ministry, claiming the spill has only affected an area of 3,875 square feet, and had already been cleaned up.