U.N. conference highlights Chornobyl (05/06/01)

U.N. conference highlights Chornobyl

by Andrew Nynka

NEW YORK - In a solemn commemoration marking the 15th anniversary of the world's worst nuclear disaster, the 10th International Conference on Health and the Environment dedicated April 26 to re-evaluating the medical aftereffects and continuing illnesses that have plagued Ukraine, Russia and Belarus due to the nuclear fallout from Chornobyl.

The conference, held at the United Nations and organized by World Information Transfer (WIT), was a three-day event from April 25 to 27. Co-sponsored by the governments of Ukraine and Greece, it looked into the theme "Economics of Health and the Environment."

Conference organizers devoted Thursday, April 26, exactly 15 years after the initial catastrophe, to discussing health and medical issues relating to the Chornobyl disaster. Dr. Christine K. Durbak, chair and CEO of WIT, remarked that "although much time has passed, there is still tremendous work left to be done." Also taking part were co-chairs Bernard Goldstein, M.D., director of environmental and occupational health sciences institute, University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ and Zenon Matkiwsky, D.O., president, Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund.

The conference brought together specialists in various environmental and health fields. Thursday's session included government employees, physicians and scientists in the fields of nuclear energy, cancer research and pediatrics who emphasized the health impact the Chornobyl nuclear power plant catastrophe has had and will continue to have for future generations.

"Fifteen years have provided us ample time to estimate the immediate effect of some of the health consequences, but 15 years is still too short a time to provide an overview of the tragedy with all the outcomes it is expected to bring in the future to the Ukrainian, Belarusian and Russian people," added Prof. Sergiy Komisarenko, director of the Palladin Institute of Biochemistry in Kyiv.

Highlighting Thursday's session were speeches by United Nations Ambassadors Valeriy Kuchinsky, acting permanent representative of Ukraine; Sergey Lavrov, permanent representative of the Russian Federation; Sergei Ling, permanent representative of the Republic of Belarus; and Madina B. Jarbussynova, permanent representative of the Republic of Kazakstan. All echoed the pledge offered by Ambassador Lavrov: "continuing support for Chornobyl's victims and ensuring that an accident of that magnitude never again occurs."

Thursday's keynote speakers, Ambassador Kuchinsky and Prof. Komisarenko, both spoke of the continuing repercussions of Chornobyl. "The accident had a huge and multi-faceted impact on Ukraine, Belarus and Russia. Multi-faceted in the sense that Chornobyl had a profound effect on economic, social, political, health, environmental and other facets of life," Prof. Komisarenko explained.

Among others participating in the conference were Metropolitan-Archbishop Stefan Soroka of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the United States; Harri Holkeri, president of the United Nations General Assembly; and Kenzo Oshima, under secretary-general for humanitarian affairs; as well as officials from the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund and the Chernobyl Children's Project.

Commenting on the future of nuclear energy Ambassadors Lavrov, Ling and Kuchinsky all agreed that nuclear power will continue to be a source of energy. Ambassador Lavrov ensured "our government seeks the development of new types of reactors not using uranium and plutonium."

"Nuclear reactors are here for a long time," agreed Ambassador Kuchinsky. "They should be modernized, no question about it - proceed with the idea that a tragedy like Chornobyl should never again happen."

Skeptics of nuclear energy, including some conference attendees, cited numerous disadvantages to nuclear power, among them the growing problem of storing nuclear waste. They argued that there is no safe method or storage area that can remain intact for the length of time required for nuclear waste to become stable.

One conference participant commented "Chornobyl was not an 'accident' in the sense that it has a definate end. Its repercussions will be with us for many generations. This is a war that will go on for some time yet. We must be continually committed to fight its effects."

Dr. Durbak echoed that statement in closing: "Chornobyl was not simply another disaster of the sort that humankind has experienced throughout history, like a fire, or an earthquake, or a flood. It is a global environmental event of a new kind. It is characterized by the presence of thousands of environmental refugees; long-term contamination of land, water and air. Continued efforts are needed to support the health of current and future generations of children whose health has been irreparably compromised by this so-called 'accident.'"

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