MILITARY TOXICS FORUM IN PHILIPPINES

[Aimee Houghton <aimeeh@igc.org>]

From: Aimee Houghton <aimeeh@igc.org>
Subject: MILITARY TOXICS FORUM IN PHILIPPINES

AN INVITATION TO THE

 1996 INTERNATIONAL FORUM ON 
 U.S. MILITARY TOXICS AND BASES CLEAN-UP

 November 24 - 26, 1996
 Marmont Resort
 Bo. Barretto, Olongapo City
 Philippines

"We hope to learn from one another's struggles and begin to
coordinate efforts to press for comprehensive U.S. investigation 
and clean-up of its overseas military facilities."

 CONVENORS:

 o NUCLEAR FREE PHILIPPINES COALITION
 o PEOPLE'S TASK FORCE FOR BASES CLEAN-UP 
 (PHILIPPINES)
 o U.S. WORKING GROUP FOR PHILIPPINE
 BASES CLEAN-UP

You are invited to the 1996 International Forum on US Military
Toxics and Bases Clean-up.

The Forum is designed to instigate dialogue regarding US military 
toxic waste clean-up among peoples of nations hosting active or 
former U.S. military bases. We hope to learn from one another's 
struggle and begin to coordinate efforts for press for comprehen
sive U.S. investigation and clean-up of the overseas military 
facilities.

 The Forum will take place during the Asia Pacific Economic
Council (APEC) Summit at Subic Bay Freeport Zone, formerly the US 
Subic Naval Base in Zambales, Philippines, at the Marmont Resort 
Hotel and Resort, located near the Freeport. Eighteen heads of 
statse of hazardous substances by mili
tary personnel and contractors over the course of decades. In 
the United States, over 16,000 contaminated sites or "toxic hot 
spots" have been identified at almost 1,800 active military 
facilities. Toxic contamination has been identified at nearly 
all of the 84 domestic bases slated for closure since 1988. 
Roughly one-fourth of the closing bases are ranked among the most 
contaminated sites in the country.l

THE UNITED STATES MILITARY FACILITIES OVERSEAS ARE NO EXCEPTION 
TO THIS TOXIC LEGACY. According to an August 1991 General Ac
counting Office report, from October 1984 to 1991, host countries 
filed 1,259 claims for an undetermined amount. Incidents of 
pollution have been confirmed at 113 additional sites, and more 
are suspected at others.2

THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT SEEKS TO MINIMIZE AND EVEN DENY ITS 
RESPONSIBILITY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE CAUSED BY U.S. MILITARY 
ACTIVITY AT OVERSEAS BASES. The U.S. Department of Defense policy 
on toxic contamination at overseas bases imposes on host nations 
the costs and risks of cleaning toxic sites after bases are 
returned to their host countries. Furthermore, the policy com
mits only the clean-up of sites determined by teh Department of 
Defense to pose "imminent and substantial dangers to human health 
and safety."3

SOURCES:

1 "An Environmental and Health Impact Report on Known and Poten
tially Contaminated Sites at Former U.S. Military Bases in the 
Philippines," Bloom, et.al., August 1994.

2 "Hazardous Waste: Management Problems Continue at Overseas 
Bases," General Accounting Office Report, August, 1991. (Under
scoring by NFPC)

3 "Joint Statement of Philippine, Panamanian, and U.S. Organiza
tions Working for Military Bases Clean-up." November 10, 1995
(Underscoring by NFPC)

OBJECTIVES:

1. To consolidate international efforts to press for U.S. re
sponsibility in the comprehensive investigation and clean-up of 
its overseas bases.

2. To initiate the formation of an international network for 
bases clean-up.

3. To generate country reports and discussions that will allow 
citizens' movements of participating countries to benefit from 
each other's experiences in the campaign for bases clean-up.

4. To capture international media attention to the issue of Base 
contamination and the need for . EUGENE CARROLL
 Center for Defense Information
 Washington D.C.

 Open Forum

Lunch/ PRESS CONFERENCE

Afternoon: Country Reports

Evening: Continuation of Reporting and Open Forum

NOVEMBER 25, MONDAY

Morning: Workshop I Problem Identification, Resolutions
 and Recommendations

 Workshop Topics: Government Policies
 Technical Capacities
 Health Impact
 Bases Conversion & Redevelopment

 Presentation of Workshop Results

Afternoon: Synthesis

 Workshop II Action Planning
 Presentation of Workshop Results
 Synthesis

Evening: Women's caucus
 Indigenous people's caucus

NOVEMBER 26, TUESDAY 

Morning: Caucuses on the campaign plan
 Discussion of Declaration
 Plenary/Presentations
 Closing Press Conference
 Solidarity Lunch

Afternoon: Leave Olongapo for Manila

FORUM FINANCIAL GUIDE

Registration Free $ 100.00
(Includ________ We will participate in the International Forum
 Our organization will send _______delegates

_________We will prepare a country report.

_________We wish to take part in the preparation of a country 
report. Please give contact persons from my country.

________ I would like to make a reservation for _____ person/s.
 _____Regular package
 _____Special package 
 (Please send me hotel rates in Olongapo and Manila)

________ I am a vegetarian. Please specify: ____________ 
________ I have special needs: ________________
________ I am interested but cannot come.
 I wish to be included in the mailing list.
________ I cannot come but would like to help through:
 ____ give financial support
 ____ help in fund raising
 ____ inviting participants

Contact Person: __________________________________-
Organization: __________________________________
Address : __________________________________
Tel/Fax : __________________________________
E-mail Address: __________________________________

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