Ukraine plans to restart Chernobyl

["Sandy Perle" <sandyfl@ix.netcom.com>]

Reuter's news release regarding the Ukraine's intentions to restart 
part of the Chernobyl's reactors. However, according to an agreement, 
they insist that all of the units will be shutdown by the year 2000.

----------------
  KIEV, Ukraine  - Ukraine said Friday it wants to  
reopen part of the Chernobyl nuclear power station next year, 
just weeks after it shut another reactor as part of a deal with 
international creditors to close the whole plant by 2000. 
  ``I signed the decree. It is due to be switched on in the  
final quarter of next year,'' the head of the Derzhkmotom state 
nuclear authority, Viktor Chebrov, told a news conference. 
  ``We still have to do some work to improve the safety of the  
reactor,'' he added, insisting the move would not violate Kiev's
pledge to close the entire, disaster-hit station by 2000. 
  Ukraine's neighbors, who suffered when Chernobyl's fourth  
reactor exploded in 1986 sending clouds of radioactive dust 
across Europe, want the plant shut down. But Kiev says that will make
it hard to find the energy to fuel its struggling economy. 
  The Group of Seven (G7) rich industrial nations promised  
$3.1 billion in credits and grants in return for closure. 
Chebrov said the first $150 million from the European Bank for 
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) was expected in February. 
  The first reactor at Chernobyl was switched off late last  
month in a move to meet President Leonid Kuchma's promises to 
the G7. The third reactor is still in operation. 
  It is the second reactor, closed in 1991 after it caught  
fire, which the authorities now want to reopen. 
  ``It would be very stupid to waste money if (the second)  
reactor can earn money in 1998 and 1999. From the point of view 
of Ukraine's international obligations we are not violating any 
promises by starting up the second reactor,'' Chebrov said. 
  He said all Chernobyl reactors would be ``definitively  
closed'' by year 2000. 
  Chebrov said two uncompleted reactors -- at the Rivne and  
Khmelnitsky stations in western Ukraine -- would be finished in 
three years. Ukraine's 14 reactors currently in operation will 
be modernised over the next decade. 
  He said Ukraine is searching for a modern design for the  
reactors it plans to build to replace worn-out units, and would 
choose between western and Russian models. 
  ``Taking a broader perspective we will consider the reactor  
of the future for our nuclear energy supplies. We have already 
had meetings with French and Canadian officials,'' Chebrov said. 
  Meetings with Russian and U.S. officials were scheduled.  

Sandy Perle
Director, Technical Operations
ICN Dosimetry Division
Office: (800) 548-5100 Ext. 2306 
Fax: (714) 668-3149

E-Mail: sandyfl@ix.netcom.com    

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