FOR THE RECORD: Helsinki Commission on Chornobyl issue (06/08/97)

FOR THE RECORD: Helsinki Commission on Chornobyl issue

Following is the full text of a letter sent to President Bill Clinton by Rep. Christopher Smith, co-chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Commission). The letter regarding the status of the Chornobyl nuclear plant in Ukraine was sent in advance of the G-7 summit scheduled for June 20-22 in Denver.

Dear Mr. President:

In a recent meeting with President [Leonid] Kuchma of Ukraine, I raised a series of issues regarding the Chornobyl nuclear power plant and the ongoing health effects of the 1986 explosion. I urge you to ensure that leaders of the G-7 recognize this issue as a priority.

Last April, on the 10th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster, the commission heard compelling testimony from experts regarding the extensive health and other consequences of Chornobyl. I also introduced H. Con. Res. 167 which unanimously passed the House and called for continued U.S. assistance providing medical relief, humanitarian assistance, social impact planning and hospital development for Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (i.e., those states most affected by Chornobyl). The resolution also called upon the U.S. to support the process of closing the Chornobyl nuclear power plant in an expeditious manner as envisioned by the December 20, 1995, Ukraine-G-7 Memorandum of Understanding.

I understand that the negotiations between Ukraine and Western donors about the closure of Chornobyl are experiencing difficulties. Furthermore, safety standards in Ukraine's nuclear power plants suffer as a result of critical funding shortages which affect even routine preventive maintenance. Ukraine's environment minister, Yurii Kostenko, in an April 8 address to the Ukrainian Parliament characterized the safety situation in the plants as "unsatisfactory." In a recent letter to The Economist, Minister Kostenko asserted: "In the current economic climate, Ukraine is simply incapable of closing Chornobyl without external technical and financial support." He also expressed concern over the willingness of the West to fulfill the commitments undertaken in the Memorandum of Understanding.

Mr. President, I recognize that the questions of how best to close down Chornobyl, and how to provide for its energy needs, are not easy. Nevertheless, the situation is critical, and Ukraine - as well as the rest of the world - simply cannot afford another nuclear disaster. The continuing legacy of Chornobyl has had a devastating impact on Ukraine, and Western assistance covers only a fraction of what Ukraine must spend to deal with the long-term consequences of this truly global disaster.

Therefore, Mr. President, I strongly urge you to insist that the conclusion of the negotiations and progress in implementing the G-7 plans are recognized as a priority agenda item at the upcoming G-7 summit in Denver.

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