WEEK 9 Feb 14th to Feb 20th

   BALKAN ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER

   Environmental experts believe the cyanide poisoning of the rivers Tisza and Danube is the worst disaster in Europe since the Chernobyl accident in 1986. It has been declared full emergency alert along the entire length of the rivers, since a spill in a gold - mine in Romania. So far 600 kilos of dead fish have been found in the poisoned river, close to the cities Senta Kanjiza and Adad.

   DOWN RIVER

   A cyanide spill that has killed huge numbers of fish in Romania and Hungary reached the first town on the Tisza river in northern Yugoslavia yesterday, officials said.
   An official in Kanjiza, about 145 kilometers north of Belgrade, said local authorities have been warning citizens not to eat fish or use the Tisza water for their animals.
   The cyanide spill has caused major ecological damage in Hungary and Romania, where it originated. A dam at the partially Australian-owned Baia Mare gold mine in Romania overflowed Jan. 30, causing cyanide to pour into the Lapus River and then into the Somes.
   February 15, 16 days after the spill, the poison levels of the Danube, was measured to 30 times the "accepted" danger level.
   The Mining company is categorically refusing to accept any blame.