5 February 1992

Doc. 6563

1403-5/12/92-5-E

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

on the urgent need to assist several countries in

Central and Eastern Europe, and in particular the former

Soviet Union, in enhancing security at their nuclear energy plants

presented by Mr FLÜCKIGER and others

      The Assembly,

1.       Believing that Europeans are, literally speaking, sitting on a powder keg in the form of numerous dilapidated and highly unsafe nuclear power stations in several countries in Central and Eastern Europe; not only has the main Bulgarian nuclear plant recently been deemed wholly deficient and dangerous by international expertise, but the remaining reactors at Chernobyl suffered important fires on 11 October and 1 November 1991; examples abound from other parts of the former Soviet Union, in particular;

2.       Fearing that it is only a matter of time before another Chernobyl, or an even worse catastrophe may occur, as the countries concerned lack the material resources and technical know-how to run safely and maintain their nuclear power stations; and the consequences of such a disaster could, similarly to Chernobyl, strike all Europe;

3.       Calls on the governments of member countries of the Council of Europe to undertake an urgent mission of assistance to the countries concerned, and in particular the former Soviet Union, ensuring the immediate closure of dangerous plants, or their restoration so as to permit safe operation; assistance may include the dispatch of experts and equipment, or financial help for repairs, the provision of alternative energy sources, etc.

Signed:       FLÜCKIGER, GUIRADO, DEMIRALP, RUFFY, BERGER, DE PUIG, PAHTAS, SEILER, CUCO, BRATINKA, SZENT-IVANYI, GRENDELMEIER, FABRA, MATSIS, DE BONDT, KONEN, PETITPIERRE, SZELENYI, MIVILLE, MACKIE OF BENSHIE, KEMPINAIRE, ATKINSON, DEES, PANGALOS, CEM, SKAUG, TARSCHYS, HUNT, UYTTENDAELE