US embassy cable - 05LJUBLJANA217

UNCLAS LJUBLJANA 000217 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR OES/ENV/THOMPSON 
DEPARTMENT FOR OES/PCI, EUR/NCE, EUR/ERA 
DEPARTMENT PASS TO EPA (STEPHEN JOHNSON, CHARLIE AUER, 
SUSAN HAZEN) 
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST FOR POSNER-MULLEN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SENV, AORC, ETRD, PREL, SI 
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA OFFERS EXPERTISE ON MERCURY REDUCTION 
 
REF: STATE 18970 
 
1.  During a 30 March demarche on an unrelated matter, 
Emil Ferjancic, Post's main interlocutor at the Ministry 
of the Environment, told Econoff and Econ Specialist 
Slovenia was interested in providing its expertise in 
mercury containment and reduction "if asked to do so." 
Post delivered reftel talking points to Ferjancic in 
early February, but until this meeting the GOS had yet to 
provide a response. 
 
2.  Ferjancic said Slovenia has extensive expertise in 
addressing mercury containment and reduction, largely 
thanks to domestic efforts to contain environmental 
mercury at a mine in Idrija in central Slovenia.  (Note: 
The mine, which no longer produces mercury, is in the 
process of being closed down.  End note.)  Dr. Milena 
Horvat of the Jozef Stefan Institute is the leading 
Slovenian expert on mercury containment.  Horvat's 
research is aimed at decreasing the risk of mercury 
exposure of the Idrija miners, finding ways to lower the 
risk of mercury-related diseases and, most recently, 
finding the most appropriate and effective ways to 
restore areas contaminated with mercury. 
 
3.  Horvat's work resulted in a model for restoration of 
contaminated areas.  Her model recognizes that larger 
areas cannot be treated with conventional measures, such 
as burning the soil to trap mercury, as this would 
further harm the region's ecosystems.  Rather, the model 
assesses the long-term environmental and economic impact 
of mercury contamination over a wide region.  Horvat 
developed her model during examination of the region 
surrounding the Slovene mine, where mercury contamination 
has spread throughout the region all the way to the 
Adriatic Sea.  The United Nations Environment Programme 
(UNEP) has adopted Horvat's model.  In addition, a group 
of Slovene and Chinese scientists are currently using 
Horvat's model to address large-scale mercury 
contamination issues in China. 
 
4.  Horvat's researchers at the Institute organize 
conferences and roundtables every 2-3 years. These 
conferences involve a wide range of issues pertaining to 
mercury contamination.  The objective of these meetings, 
aside from exchange of scientific findings, is to raise 
awareness of mercury contamination problems and the 
challenges with restoration of contaminated areas. 
 
5.  Post notes that Dr. Horvat could be a valuable 
contact on mercury contamination issues and both she and 
the GOS are prepared to engage further on this issue at 
the request of the Department.  Post requests OES 
response via cable or email to Econ Officer John Nylin 
(nylinjd@state.gov) and Econ Specialist Spela Zlatnar 
(zlatnars@state.gov). 
 
HAAS 
 
 
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 2005LJUBLJ00217 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED 


 
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