Protocol of the meeting of the Working Group 02.04-20 "Conservation and
Management of Natural and Cultural Heritage" under the Joint
Soviet-American Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of
Environmental Protection
September 6 - October 4, 1989
Provideniya, Magadan Region, U.S.S.R. - Anchorage, Alaska, U.S.A.
1. In accordance with the plan of the Working Group 02.04-20 and according to Theme 2, "Research, Conservation and Management of the Beringian Heritage," a group of American and Soviet specialists visited the Chukotskiy Peninsula in the U.S.S.R. (from September 7 - 18, 1989) and on the American side, the Seward Peninsula along with other regions in Alaska (from September 18 - 25, 1989). The group acquainted themselves with the natural and cultural richness of the regions, acquiring a great deal of scientific and practical knowledge. In addition, they consulted with local official proposal. This work was carried out pursuant to an agreement contained in proceedings dated July 1987, October 1987, and July 1989. For this reason the work represented an even greater priority for the working group in 1989.
The American delegation was led by Mr. D.P. Galvin, Associate Director, Planning and Development, National Park Service. The Soviet delegation was lead by Mr. I.G. Ivanov, Chief Specialist of Goscomarchitecture under U.S.S.R. Gosstroy. The aforementioned had responsibility of co-chairing the working group.
A list of the members in the American and Soviet delegations and their working program is attached.
2. As a result of these reciprocal visits and in accordance with former agreements, the Soviet-American group worked out a joint report. From September 26 - October 4, in Anchorage, Alaska, the group prepared the text of the report which recommendedthe creation of an International Park in this region.
3. The American side agreed to publish 1,000 copies of the report, half of which would be sent to the Soviet side. In order that the report would be available and understood by a broad public, the text would be enhanced by the use of graphics. The American side also agreed to hand out the working group's (02.04-20)published report during the XIIth Session of the Joint Soviet-American Commission Collaborating on Environmental Protection, which will occur in January 1990 in Washington, D.C.
The American side also agreed to receive two representatives from the leadership of the U.S.S.R.'s Goscomarhitektura and Goscompriroda for 5 - 7 days in November 1989 for joint participation with leaders of the National Park Service. They will finalize work on the report before its publication.
4. Both sides agree that after approval of the idea to create an international park in Bering region at the XIIth Session of the Joint Soviet-American Commission, they will conduct a joint program. Within 6 months' time, this program will describe the respective steps each government will take to establish an international park. To this end, during the period of prepatation, 2-3 specialists on each side would exchange visits for a period of 5-7 days.
5. Both the Soviets and the Americans expressed an interest in subsequent cooperation concerning the preservation of the natural and cultural heritage. Both sides expressed mutual agreement in the value of organizing and participating in joint research. The month of work by the group of experts in studing the natural wealth and cultural values of the Bering region and the work on the report provided both sides with an incomparable opportunity to evaluate the high quality of professionalism of their counterparts.
Both sides recognize that the joint execution of their work was fruitful and proceeded in a setting of cooperation, friendship and mutual understanding.
The Soviet and American delegation express their appreciation to the officials of Provideniya and Chukotka, administrative regions in the U.S.S.R., as well as to the public organizations, schools and leadership in the U.S.A. regions of Nome and Kotzebue for the excellent conditions in carrying out their field work. They also express their appreciation to all the Soviet and American participants involved in this work expedition.
Signed in Anchorage on October 4, 1989, in English and in Russian so that both texts would be equally authentic.
From the American side
/s/
D.P. Galvin
From the Soviet side
/s/
I.G. Ivanov