In his speech in the State Duma on March 5, 2003, the Minister of Nuclear Power Alexander Rumyantsev expressed his gratitude to deputy of the YABLOKO faction Sergei Mitrokhin for his repeated criticism of the Ministry of Atomic Energy regarding the poor state of physical protection for nuclear power facilities. Rumyantsev acknowledged that the position of deputy Mitrokhin had played an important role in the adoption of a decision to modernize security systems, especially after the public inspection performed under the leadership of Mitrokhin in February 2002. Then Sergei Mitrokhin managed to enter unimpeded the Mining-Chemical Complex (situated in Krasnoyarsk Territory) of the Ministry of Russia for Nuclear Power and reach the most dangerous part of the facility – the place where spent nuclear fuel was stored. "After your criticism we began creating a defence line supplied with technical security devices," noted Rumyantsev.

"I am satisfied with the answer of the minister regarding the implications of public inspection of security systems of the Mining-Chemical Complex," said Mitrokhin. - "However, the problem of radioactive dangerous facilities remains acute." According to Mitrokhin, a change in state policies towards the Ministry of Nuclear Power is required to resolve the problem of financing the safety of the nuclear sector.

"In accordance with the government's programme, the Ministry of Nuclear Power has to build ten new nuclear reactors within the next eight years," said Mitrokhin. - "The tariffs will include 270 billion roubles allotted for these goals. Such an amount would suffice to create modern security systems at all the facilities of the nuclear power ministry and resolve all the environmental and social problems, including evacuation of residents from contaminated territories." However, Mitrokhin expressed his concern that at present security measures at the nuclear facilities are being performed to a large extent with foreign aid which can raise a serious threat to Russia’s national security. "The country’s nuclear safety should be financed first and foremost with the country’s own funds," stressed Mitrokhin.

According to YABLOKO, the economic structure of the Ministry of Nuclear Power has to undergo serious reforms. "Savings in the nuclear power ministry are yielding significant losses to the country and increases nuclear risks for the population at present and in the future," noted Mitrokhin. - "We must develop a system of measures to change the situation where the nuclear power ministry is not a heavy burden for the federal budget and resources by nuclear power consumers will be spent on the provision of safety and compensation for the losses incurred by the nuclear facilities on the health of people, rather than on the construction of new nuclear power stations."

The YABLOKO faction is going to initiate parliamentary hearings on the problems of reform of the nuclear power complex of Russia.

See also:

Vremya MN. March 6, 2003. Not Enough Money to Protect the Nuclear Sector. By Dmitri Chernov

YABLOKO Against Nuclear Waste Imports