FOR THE RECORD: Ambassador Kuchinsky's remarks at Chornobyl commemoration (05/09/04)

FOR THE RECORD: Ambassador Kuchinsky's remarks at Chornobyl commemoration

Below is the text of the statement delivered by the Permanent Represen-tative of Ukraine to the United Nations, Ambassador Valeriy Kuchinsky, at the special event commemorating the 18th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster on April 27.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends:

Today we mark the 18th anniversary of the explosion of the fourth reactor at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine.

It was not only the world's worst nuclear catastrophe, but a test for the international community of its ability to respond to a technological, humanitarian and ecological disaster of that scope. It is a tragedy that we cannot simply erase from our memory, like we cannot erase Hiroshima and September 11.

For my country, Chornobyl is not only a pain of the past, but a problem of the present and a challenge for the future.

Tremendous efforts and resources have been expended to mitigate the consequences of that disaster. We are grateful to many states, organizations and individuals who gave us a helping hand.

Unfortunately, with the passage of time - particularly since the closing of the Chornobyl station in 2000 - the problem of Chornobyl is gradually losing its momentum and is becoming, for some, yet another boring issue on the United Nations agenda.

True, 18 years is a long time. Children born on those tragic days have grown up and a new generation came into existence. But thousands of kids across Ukraine spend their time in hospitals rather than on playgrounds, suffering from various birth defects and cancer-related illnesses. And that might only be the beginning. Today there is a deep concern among scientists about the long-term genetic damage to future generations.

For Ukraine, Chornobyl means 160,000 people from 170 towns and villages who had to leave their homes and be relocated outside the areas of radioactive contamination. It still means the abandoned settlements, forests and fields, an area of more than 4,000 square kilometers that is empty and lifeless.

For the past decade Ukraine had to bear practically alone the financial burdens of alleviating and mitigating the consequences of the Chornobyl disaster, which amounted to 5-7 percent of the state budget. Since 1991 the mitigation costs have exceeded $6.5 billion (U.S.)

Despite numerous pledges and commitments, much of the Chornobyl relief and recovery assistance has remained unfulfilled. We call upon the international community to reconsider its response to the Chornobyl accident and to focus on the practical support and, what is more important, on specific results. We want to see more active engagement of the United Nations, its specialized agencies, development partners and donors. We place great hopes on the new U.N. Coordinator of International Cooperation on Chornobyl.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

What the victims of Chornobyl need, is concrete help, not rhetoric or exciting projects on paper.

I think that the documentary film we are going to see tonight will speak to these people, especially children, much better and more effectively than hundreds of officials. We are very grateful to Ms. [Maryann] De Leo and her team for the great work done in reflecting on today's consequences of the Chornobyl accident.

In conclusion, let me express the hope that today's event in the General Assembly hall will become much more than just the screening of the Oscar-winning production. We believe that all of you, even those who have come just to take a look, will join in responding to the Chornobyl tragedy.

I thank you.

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