Lukashenko Urges Russia to Expedite Nuke Plant Construction RIA Novosti, PUBLISHED February 15, 2012 Belarus has asked Russia's national development bank Vnesheconombank (VEB) to speed up construction of the country's first $9-billion nuclear power station, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Monday. "The core project (for us) is the nuclear plant construction as (VEB) will finance it. We have started to implement it and would not like to see a slowdown. We should build the station rapidly," Lukashenko told VEB head Vladimir Dmitriyev. At the same time when Europe is beginning to abandon nuclear power use, the nuclear power plant project in Belarus is important for both Russia and Belarus, Lukashenko said. "Russian technologies ... and our opportunities will show that the century of nuclear power is not over, it will continue," Lukashenko added. Nuclear power has once again become a controversial issue after an earthquake and tsunami damaged the Fukushima station in Japan in March 2011. Germany said it would hasten its exit from nuclear energy and Italy announced a one-year moratorium on plans to restart atomic power projects. Many people died of radiation-related diseases in Belarus following the 1986 Chernobyl atomic station disaster in neighboring Ukraine, in the world's worst nuclear disaster. Russia now says it has a full arsenal of advanced technology to ensure accident-free operations at power stations it builds. Topics: NPP, East Europe, Belarus Other news: IAEA Delegation Arrives in Iran to Discuss Nuclear Program The IAEA delegation is led by Herman Nackaerts who is in charge of the Iran nuclear file. Prokhorov Suggests Moving Skolkovo to Kaliningrad In my view, the hi-tech hub should not be constructed in Moscow. I suggest moving Skolkovo to Kaliningrad. Rosatom Managers Sacked, Fined over Corporate Party According to the Dozhd TV channel, the corporation paid 12.5 million rubles (about $400,000) for the New Year’s bash. |
Hero of the day Iran views of its nuclear issue It is difficult to say what will happen next, especially since the international community is split into two opposing camps on this issue. This article will analyze both of them, also taking into account the situation in Tehran. INTERVIEW
Georgy Toshinsky OPINION
Konstantin Bogdanov |