shutting down Germany's 19 nuke plants

["Sandy Perle" <sandyfl@earthlink.net>]

Friday October 9 2:41 PM EDT 

BONN, Germany (AP) _ Germany's Social Democrats and Greens 
will try to crack some of the toughest nuts _ how much to
raise energy taxes, and how fast to abandon nuclear power _ when 
talks on forming a new center-left government resume
Sunday.

Both issues are vital to the environmentalist Greens, the junior 
partner in the negotiations. But chancellor-elect Gerhard
Schroeder, who campaigned promising a business-friendly 
approach to politics, has signaled he won't agree to anything that
might jeopardize economic growth.

After a visit to Washington on Friday dominated by foreign policy, 
Schroeder heads into Sunday's talks focused on tough
domestic questions of taxes and energy policy.

The platforms of both parties call for shutting down Germany's 19 
atomic energy plants _ a prospect that has electric
companies already threatening to sue the government.

Business leaders also warn that abandoning nuclear power would 
cost jobs in research. ``I think it's almost cynical to withhold
German nuclear technology from humanity,'' said Hans-Olaf 
Henkel, head of the Association of German Industry.

Schroeder says he wants to reach an agreement with the nuclear 
industry to begin decommissioning atomic plants. Greens
leaders though are looking for a definite timetable _ and a quick 
one.

Also on the agenda is attaching a figure to the energy tax increase 
to promote energy conservation and finance cuts elsewhere.
The future partners agreed to the tax on Thursday.

The Greens argue raising taxes on oil, coal and natural gas could 
create jobs in two ways: forcing industry to modernize and
seek alternatives, and by financing cuts in non-wage costs 
employers must pay for government-mandated employee benefits.

``It's not just a symbolic project for us, something to satisfy the 
Green heart,'' Greens party co-chair Gunda Roestel told
German radio.

Yet industry leaders warn higher fuel costs in Germany would 
make German products more expensive and hurt the
export-dependent economy.

``We could end up with a crisis,'' Michael Fuchs, president of a 
German wholesalers and retailers association, told German
television Friday. 

------------------
Sandy Perle
Technical Director
ICN Dosimetry Division
ICN Plaza
3300 Hyland Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Office: (800) 548-5100 x2306 
Fax:    (714) 668-3149
  
sandyfl@earthlink.net
sperle@icnpharm.com

ICN Dosimetry Website:
http://www.dosimetry.com

Personal Website:
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/1205

"The object of opening the mind, as of opening 
the mouth, is to close it again on something solid"
              - G. K. Chesterton -

The opinions expressed are solely, absolutely, positively, definitely those of the author, and NOT my employer
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