FOR THE RECORD: Chornobyl is closed, but its legacy continues (12/31/00)

FOR THE RECORD: Chornobyl is closed, but its legacy continues

Following is the text of a statement issued on December 18 by the Ukrainian World Congress concerning the 15th anniversary of Chornobyl and the closure of the Chornobyl atomic energy station.

On December 15, in the presence of international community representatives, the Chornobyl Atomic Energy Station (CAES) officially closed. The government of Ukraine should be commended for its commitment to nuclear safety, as well as compliance with international accords, specifically, the Memorandum of Understanding between Ukraine and the G-7 of December 1995.

While the closure of the CAES is commendable, the international community needs to realize that Chornobyl is not Ukraine' s creation but a Soviet remnant, which continues to affect the world and, in particular, Ukraine and its people. For energy-deficient Ukraine, the closing of the CAES mandates alternate sources of energy. This need may be partially addressed by the Rivne and Khmelnytskyi plants currently under construction, financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; however, additionally Ukraine requires the international community's support for its purchase of Azeri oil, Turkmen gas and the completion of the Supsa-Odesa-Brody pipeline.

During a recent visit to Ukraine, the secretary general of the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Worker's Union (ICEM) concluded that a whole community of 20,000 people will be affected by the closure of the power station at Chornobyl. Of the $715 million (U.S.) issued by the international community for solving the technical aspects of closure, no money has been allocated for social programs. According to ICEM estimates, social protection programs will require about $135 million (U.S.) and the money should come from G-7 countries and international financial institutions.

Finally, health care and pensions remain serious problems. The latter currently absorbs a significant portion (almost 20 percent) of Ukraine's annual budget. Health care issues are being addressed to some degree by Ukraine and humanitarian organizations worldwide who must continue their good work, probably for a long time.

In 2001 the world will observe the 15th anniversary of its worst nuclear disaster. The closure of the atomic energy station at Chornobyl is a significant event. Still, closure must be viewed as largely symbolic. The international community needs to understand that the legacy of Chornobyl lives on.

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