“By agreeing to import, store and recycle spent nuclear fuel, the Russian authorities are leading this country along the path of third world countries,” said Sergei Mitrokhin, Ideology Secretary of the Yabloko party, deputy of the State Duma, on Thursday, September 6, 2001. “This would not seem to be the best way for Russia to find its place in the international division of labour.” This is how Mitrokhin reacted to the news from international information agencies that on September 5, 2001, the federal government of Germany had decided to stop using nuclear power.

In accordance with the draft law approved by the German parliament, gradually up until 2020 all the nuclear power stations in the country will be closed, and no new stations will be built. Also, in accordance with this document, from July 2005 the recycling of spent nuclear fuel will be banned, and nuclear waste will simply be buried. The draft law still have to be approved by the Bundestag.

Offering Germany as an example, Mitrokhin stressed that today the most well-to-do states were abolishing the development of their own production owing to the environmental risks to protect their populations; they were waging on “clean” technologies and branches of economy.

“The actions of the German government are in sharp contrast with the policies of the Russian leadership, which approved recently imports of spent nuclear fuel into Russia,” stated Mitrokhin.

“In this way Russia will develop not simply its nuclear power sector, but also the most risky projects in this sphere, added Mitrokhin.

According to Mitrokhin, the decision of the German government disproves the “favourite” thesis of Russia’s Atomic Ministry that Russia is allegedly being ousted from the market for recycling spent nuclear fuel. “Germany is not the first country to stop producing or consuming services on this “market”. In this case does it exist at all?”

Approving the decision of the German government, Mitrokhin stressed that it “put national interests above the interests of the nuclear lobby; whereas in our country developments go in the opposite direction.”

The package of laws allowing for imports of spent nuclear fuel into Russia was adopted by the State Duma on June 6, 2001. On July 10 it was signed by President. The Yabloko faction is the only faction to vote unanimously during all three readings against the adoption of these draft laws.

The Yabloko party is preparing a collection of signatures in favour of a nation-wide referendum on imports of spent nuclear fuel into Russia.

See also:

Nuclear waste bill

In accordance with the draft law approved by the German parliament, gradually up until 2020 all the nuclear power stations in the country will be closed, and no new stations will be built. Also, in accordance with this document, from July 2005 the recycling of spent nuclear fuel will be banned, and nuclear waste will simply be buried. The draft law still have to be approved by the Bundestag.

Offering Germany as an example, Mitrokhin stressed that today the most well-to-do states were abolishing the development of their own production owing to the environmental risks to protect their populations; they were waging on “clean” technologies and branches of economy.

“The actions of the German government are in sharp contrast with the policies of the Russian leadership, which approved recently imports of spent nuclear fuel into Russia,” stated Mitrokhin.

“In this way Russia will develop not simply its nuclear power sector, but also the most risky projects in this sphere, added Mitrokhin.

According to Mitrokhin, the decision of the German government disproves the “favourite” thesis of Russia’s Atomic Ministry that Russia is allegedly being ousted from the market for recycling spent nuclear fuel. “Germany is not the first country to stop producing or consuming services on this “market”. In this case does it exist at all?”

Approving the decision of the German government, Mitrokhin stressed that it “put national interests above the interests of the nuclear lobby; whereas in our country developments go in the opposite direction.”

The package of laws allowing for imports of spent nuclear fuel into Russia was adopted by the State Duma on June 6, 2001. On July 10 it was signed by President. The Yabloko faction is the only faction to vote unanimously during all three readings against the adoption of these draft laws.

The Yabloko party is preparing a collection of signatures in favour of a nation-wide referendum on imports of spent nuclear fuel into Russia.

See also:

Nuclear waste bill section of the web-site