European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 20, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Friday april 20, 1990 the stars and stripes a a Page 3 Epa faults chemical weapons plan More data sought on disposal of German stockpile. A for a amps army sol. Junn Moro on i to guards and a chemical munitions expert keep watch at a Bunker holding chemical weapons in Clausen West Germany. By Janet Howells Tierney Washington Bureau Washington a the army faces two potential snags in its plans to withdraw chemical weapons from West Germany in july though neither is Likely to delay the removal. The possible setbacks involve objections by the environmental Protection Agency to an army report on the Pacific Island where the weapons will be destroyed and a Law governing the chemical burning furnaces. But officials from the army chemical demilitarization office at Aberdeen proving ground md., said they expect the withdrawal to proceed on schedule. Marilyn Tischbin an official in the office said military officials Are preparing a final report and expect the Epars final approval before the shipment of 100,000 artillery shells to the North sea in july. And an Epa spokesman said the Agency expects no significant delays in the transport or ultimate destruction of the chemical stockpile. The withdrawal of the Sarin and vex nerve agents is scheduled to be carried out Between july and september. The nerve agents will be moved by truck from the Clausen army depot in southwestern West Germany to Miessau. There they will be loaded on a train for transport to the port of no Denham. Afterwards they will be transported by ship to the Johnston atoll chemical agent disposal system. But before the trip begins the army has to address the Epars criticism. The Epa is objecting to the army a supplemental environmental Impact statement. The report which was finished in february addresses the handling storage and destruction of the european stockpile at the Plant on Johnston Island. The Epa said the report did not give sufficient information about the Impact the additional chemical weapons would have on the Island environment and about ways that potential accidents could be avoided. For example the Epa asked the army to discuss not Only the Impact that the chemical weapons will have on the residents of the Island but also on fishing fleets which would be at risk if the chemicals were accidentally released during shipment. The Epa also recommended other changes and clarifications including a Why the army does not believe the european stockpile is hazardous  the Agency also is concerned about where the chemical weapons will be stored on Johnston Island. Besides the Epars questions the Plant is subject to other Federal Laws. Under one requirement authorities must destroy an undisclosed amount of live agent chemical munitions before More weapons can be brought in from West Germany. That process is expected to begin in mid May. A staff member for the House armed services committee said the requirement was enacted to ensure that the Plant functions properly. So far no toxic agents have been destroyed. Testing has been limited to simulated weapons said the staff member who just returned from the atoll. Johnston Island is one of four islands that make up the Johnston atoll about 700 Miles Southwest of Hawaii. More than 200,000 chemical munitions Are stored there awaiting disposal. The weapons have been kept on the Island since 1971, when they were transported from Okinawa Japan. The $ 140 million facility completed in 1989, is the first Plant constructed exclusively to destroy chemical weapons. Facilities planned for the Continental United states will be built based on experience gained in the South Pacific. The chemical weapons already stored on Johnston Island will be incinerated first. Officials expect disposal of the chemical weapons from West Germany to begin in september 1991. Until then the nerve Gas agents will be stored in the steel Arch bunkers Tischbin said. For the first 16 months of operation disposal personnel on the Island will be conducting tests. A there will be a series of four separate tests that will begin with operations at slower rates and build to full scale a she said. The results will help determine the amount of weapons that similar plants in the United states will be Able to handle she said. Worrier warns of new nationalism without nato by David Tarrant Brussels Bureau nato Secretary general Manfred Womer warned thursday that a dangerous nationalism could emerge within Europe if nato were allowed to disintegrate. Without natos stabilizing influence a Europe would become once More vulnerable to the shifting alliances and Power politics of the past. Security would be re nationalized a Womer said. A the lessons of european history Are Clear on the subject of nation states searching alone to find an elusive Security. Worner addressed the italian Senate in Rome and utne copies of his speech were released at natos Brussels Belgium Headquarters. As Europe begins a new period of history following the East european revolution nato has be a it Lif tar8et of criticism by those who see it As a Gold War relic. Some european leaders opposition parties think tanks and economic planners have already begun touting other organizations As attractive alternatives for nato. Werner acknowledged that the 12-nation euro Pean Community which is to become a single Market by the end of 1992, a is obviously the most attractive and dynamic european political  despite eco a growing political influence the organization s founding charter the treaty of Rome does not include a Security dimension a nor will it acquire one for the foreseeable future a Womer said. Soviet foreign minister Eduard Shevardnadze among others would like to eventually replace nato with the conference of Security and cooperation in Europe the 35-nation Assembly that first met in 1975 to ratify postwar Borders and outline a code of human rights. The Csc which includes the soviet Union and the United states is expected to Convene later this year to give final approval to German unification. But the Csc is unwieldy As a decision making body and lacks Powers of enforcement Worner said. A Given the differing values interests and views of its 35 members each with a veto right it cannot guarantee Security. The Csc cannot replace the Atlantic  nato has helped overcome the National self in Teres that has plagued Europe in the past Worner said. A within the Alliance former enemies have been reconciled and the newly democratizing states of Central and Eastern Europe recognize that without nato they would not have recovered their Independence and  Womer pledged that nato will work with the Csc and other organizations to promote economic Progress in East Europe and ensure the respect of human rights and the Rule of Law in All european nations. Nato also is pushing for a conventional arms control treaty As the foundation for building a new framework for Security in Europe. But Worner warned that diplomacy and arms control Are not enough to prevent conflict in Europe. Even with a reduced soviet military a the Power to intimidate of the soviet armed forces will remain a he said. A we must also remember that the collapse of the soviet imperium has stirred both regional tensions and nationalism throughout much of the soviet Union and Central and Eastern  Europe will continue to need natos defense Structure to maintain peace on the continent he said. A War at the close of the 20th Century is so potentially catastrophic that we cannot take its prevention less seriously just because it is now less