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Tuesday, 27 April 2010 09:19 |
KIEV, April 26. The Chernobyl tragedy prompted independent Ukraine to renounce nuclear weapons, says the President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovich.
A huge accident at Chernobyl occurred on April 26, 1986.
The fourth energy unit of the power station exploded.
As a result, the territory within a radius of 30 kilometers was subjected to radioactive contamination affected 19 Russian regions with a total area of the territory of 60 thousand square kilometers and a population of 2,6 million, 46,5 thousand square kilometers of territory of Belarus (23% of the total area ).
The total area of radioactive contamination in Ukraine amounted to 50 thousand square kilometers in 12 regions. The operation of station was stopped on Dec. 5, 2000.
"Perhaps the fact that Ukraine was the first who felt and realized the danger of the peaceful atom, was one of the motivations of the refusal of our country first in the world of nuclear weapons voluntarily," - Yanukovych said in the appeal to commemorate Chernobyl tragedy, the text of which on Monday unveiled at the official site of the president.
"We have also shown an example to the world community, having recently decided to be the first to transfer residue stockpiles of highly enriched uranium," - said the president of Ukraine.
At the same time, the head of state stressed that Ukraine's future is inconceivable without nuclear power.
"Whether we like it or not, but Ukraine's energy future is impossible without nuclear power.
But in fact, peaceful and safe, taking into account the given lessons of Chernobyl, for which we paid a very high price. Until now, the effects of harmful radiation exposure affect about two million citizens, of whom 498,000 - children,"- said in a statement the president.
Yanukovych promised to strengthen public policies concerning the protection of victims of the Chernobyl accident.
"They say that time cures the pain, and we became to treat the people who suffered from Chernobyl as someone very normal. And the financial assistance due to inflation and other processes becomes more and more symbolic. But we will change that. Our economy is gradually recovering, and we will find financial resources for the optimization of measures of social protection of "Chernobyl people" - the president said.
The President expressed his respect for people who died in the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster. "We all remember and mourn for the heroes of various nationalities who have sacrificed their lives for the future of civilization. Eternal memory. They will remain forever in our hearts," - said Mr. Yanukovych.
The president also called on all the citizens of Ukraine to join forces to finally overcome the consequences of a nuclear accident.
"Let the agreed work, the best human qualities and character of Ukrainians, scarred for years of overcoming of the consequences of the Chernobyl catastrophe, will continue to be the basis of qualitative change and prosperity of our country," - the statement says. |
