Doc. 9067 2^nd edition
14 May 2001

Solving the Chornobyl problem is a task for all humanity

Written Declaration No. 323

2^nd edition, originally tabled on 26 April 2001

This written declaration commits only the members who have signed it

      Unprecedented in its scale and results the Chornobyl disaster has become a national tragedy. More than 50 thousand square km of Ukraine’s territory was affected by the straight radiation, about 3,4 million people were evacuated and 110 localities were resettled. As a result of that more than 25 thousand Chornobyl families - 10 thousand of them disabled - do not have their own homes. Ukraine’s total economic expenses for dealing with the disaster are near 130 billion of US dollars.

      The medical examination of those who suffered in the disaster shows that 80 % are sick - more than a half of them are children - moreover, the birth-rate during that period of time decreased by 40 %, which directly threatens the genetic fund of the nation.

      Tests of the “Shelter” object which contains 200 thousand of tons of nuclear fuel testify that it still remains an extremely dangerous object, even after the closure of Chornobyl, in which unknown to the world science processes are continuing to develop. It needs common efforts to make it an ecologically safe system.

      To summarise the above and to take into account all previous international agreements, the Ukrainian people ask the Council of Europe and all the countries and international organisations to participate in reducing the Chornobyl disaster consequences to a minimum, and learning from the experience of their elimination will contribute to the safety of all humanity.

Signed ¹ :

Kostytsky, Ukraine, EPP/DC

Asciak, Malta, EPP/CD

Bársony, Hungary, SOC

Bilovol, Ukraine, EDG

Bindig, Germany, SOC

Eörsi, Hungary, LDR

Frunda, Romania, EPP/CD

Gaber, Ukraine, SOC

Gjellerod, Denmark, SOC

Gostev, Russia, UEL

Guardans, Spain, LDR

Judd, United Kingdom, SOC

Khunov, Ukraine, UEL

Kosakivski, Ukraine, NR

Marmazov, Ukraine, UEL

McNamara, United Kingdom, SOC

Melnikov, Russia, UEL

Moeller, Denmark, EDG

Ojuland, Estonia, LDR

Oliynik, Ukraine, UEL

Pingerra, Italy, EPP/CD

Popescu, Ukraine, SOC

Saglam, Turkey, EPP/CD

Shakhtakhtinskaya, Azerbaijan, EDG

Smorawinski, Poland, EPP/CD

Solé Tura, Spain, SOC

Tevdoradze, Georgia, EDG

Zvarych, Ukraine, EDG

Jones, United Kingdom, SOC

_________________

Total = 29

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG:European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL : Group of the Unified European Left

      NR : Not registered in a group