ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION MINISTRY ON U.S. NUCLEAR SUBMARINE

ZAGREB, June 30 (Hina) - The environmental protection ministry issued a statement on Friday in connection with the stay of a U.S. nuclear submarine in southern Adriatic local waters, saying the defence ministry had said the USS Philadelphia would not have an adverse effect on the environment. The statement says the environmental protection ministry was not asked to consent to the submarine's sailing into the Dubrovnik local waters as this is not within the ministry's competence. The issuing of permits is within the competence of the defence and foreign ministries. In the wake of numerous inquiries from the press and a big public interest with regard to the possible effect of the submarine's stay on the environment, the environmental protection ministry contacted the ministry of defence, which said it had issued a permit allowing sailing in Croatian territorial waters. Due to an error in the implementation of the decision, the submarine cast anchor in local waters. The defence ministry said there was no cause to fear possible effects on the environment. The USS Philadelphia tied in Dubrovnik local waters on June 27, where it stays until July 1. It is anchored alongside the USS Emory S. Land, a U.S. Navy ship which tied in by Lokrum island near Dubrovnik on June 21. It also leaves on July 1. (hina) ha