Sochi Scene - Russia Denies Waste Problems at Olympic Sites; Georgian Boycott Not Yet Nixed?

Russian Government Denies Waste Problems at Olympic Sites

A senior Russian government official dismissed on Monday allegations by Greenpeace that Russia is failing to dispose of construction waste properly as it prepares for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

"All measures to realize the Zero Waste principle have been being implemented and are being implemented," Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak told journalists.

Waste from construction sites in Sochi is currently being buried in the nearby town of Belorechensk, said Kozak, who is in charge of preparation for next year’s Winter Games in the subtropical city.

The buried waste will later be processed at a recycling facility in Belorechensk that is currently under construction, Kozak said. "There are no problems with that," he said.

Greenpeace complained to the IOC last month, saying Russia is failing to meet its obligations to implement the Zero Waste principles during Olympics-related construction.

The latest cleanup plan for the city, passed by the municipal administration in January, discourages waste separation while promoting waste incineration, which does not correspond to the Zero Waste principles, Greenpeace said in a press release.

Officials at Greenpeace Russia contacted by RIA Novosti dismissed Kozak’s claim that the country is on track to implement Zero Waste in Sochi.

"He seems to be confused, because Zero Waste has got nothing to do with the waste removal he is talking about," said Ivan Blokov, campaign director for Greenpeace Russia.

Zero Waste is impossible to implement without waste separation, which the government is reluctant to introduce, said the head of Greenpeace Russia’s toxic waste program, Rashid Alimov.

"They just don’t think it important enough," Alimov said.

The Russian government has repeatedly pledged to introduce waste separation in the country, but has so far largely failed to do so. Only about 20 percent of the 7 billion tons of waste that the country produces each year is recycled, according to a mid-2012 report by the Federal Inspection Service for Natural Resources Use.

Published by exclusive arrangement with RIA Novosti, host news agency of Sochi 2014.

Georgia Wavers on Sochi 2014 Olympic Boycott

Georgia'sparticipation in the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics was thrown into doubt on Monday when the country's deputy foreign minister insisted that a decision is yet to be made.

The prickly issue was thought to have been settled in December, when pro-Russian billionaire Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili announced his government would not issue a boycott.

But David Zalkaliani told News Georgia on Monday that the government has not yet decided to send its athletes to Russia.

"There is a position that Georgia will not boycott the Olympics, but the government has not yet made a final decision about whether Georgia will participate," Zalkaliani was quoted as saying. "A statement will be released by the government in the near future."

Georgia broke off diplomatic relations with Russia following the 2008 war over South Ossetia. Tensions,however, have started to thaw in recent months, with Russia recently lifting its import ban on Georgian wine.

President Mikhail Saakashvili had urged the world to consider snubbing the Winter Games in the wake of the conflict.

Georgia's participation in the Games is particularly sensitive given the Olympic Park's proximity to Abkhazia, a breakaway republic that declared independence along with South Ossetia following the war.

Published by exclusive arrangement with RIA Novosti, host news agency of Sochi 2014.

Sochi Security Ramps Up

The Sochi government announced security measures are being "strengthened" in the 2014 host city.

Following a meeting of the city’s interior department, an agreement was reached to install thousands of security cameras throughout the city to monitor crime. Additionally, sensitive areas will have increased protection.

A statement on the city government’s website says the goal is to make sure there is not "a single vulnerability" in Sochi.

Also on Tuesday, the Russian Transportation Ministry announced increased screening on trains in preparation for the 2014 Olympics.

Stations throughout Russia, especially in Sochi and stations servicing the Black Sea resort town, will see an increased number of luggage scans.

Written by Ed Hula III.

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