A call for solidarity actions with Belarusian antinuclear movement on

February 19-21

At the end of 2008 the government of the Republic of Belarus made a

decision to build its own nuclear station. In consideration of the

political regime of the country characterized by a 15-year rule of one

and the same person, it’s not surprising that the public opinion on this

issue had not been taken into account. The construction is to be

undertaken by a Russian corporation “Atomstroyexport”. It is to be held

in a seismically active zone, in a dozen kilometers away from Lake

Naroch, the largest lake in Belarus. The cost of the project is

estimated at $9 billion, but some scientists claim the total cost may

increase.

Such a decision is extremely important for every Belarusian citizen.

After the plans of the government became known, part of the citizens

chose to resist the realization of the project. Numerous actions and

awareness-raising campaigns were held, such as the annual “Charnobylski

Shliah”, illegal actions at the place of the prospective construction,

info-tour through Belarusian cities, brochures and leaflets distribution

aiming at informing the population about the danger of nuclear power.

The reaction of the authorities followed without delay: detentions of

the activists, printed matters confiscations, obstacles to public film

representations and other events, falsification of the public hearings,

prohibition and disregard of the critisism of the environmental impact

assessment, presented by environmentalists and scientists. Neighboring

countries and foreign environmental organizations directed their

censorious remarks to the station construction directorate and made

their solidarity actions with Belarusian activists. Despite public

protests, international criticism, the threat for Belarus to be excluded

from Aarhus Convention and Espoo Convention as well as financial

problems, the government never changed its decision.

Nuclear power engineering will not save humanity: it is fatally

dangerous, expensive, connected with proliferation of nuclear weapons

and hardly helps to avert climate changes. Moreover, the following

facts are indicative of the inexpediency of the nuclear power plant

construction (NPP) in Belarus:

- The place of the prospective construction is not only an

environmentally pristine zone but one of the most favorable places for

wind farms construction.

- A temporary nuclear waste repository is to be located on the

nuclear power plant territory

- Belarus lacks finance for NPP construction and fuel for it. If the

NPP is built on credit, taking into account the current external debt,

not one generation will have to pay out the credit.

- Financing, construction and fuel delivery will be undertaken by a

Russian party. Thus Russian gas dependency will be complemented by

Russian nuclear fuel dependency, which contradicts Belarusian nuclear

lobby statements.

We, “Antinuclear resistance”, an anarchist group, come out against

nuclear energetic s in general and against NPP construction on the

territory of Belarus in particular. Considering independent scientists

and ecologists’ recommendations, we come out for renewable energy

resources use, overall increase in energy efficiency of production and

energy conservation.

On January 22nd, 2010 deputy minister of energy of Belarus announced

that the agreement between Belarus and Russia concerning NPP

construction can be signed in February. That’s why **we call upon all

concerned people to make solidarity actions with Belarusian antinuclear

resistance on 19-21 February 2010.

Decentralized actions of any form will help people to get to know about

our problem and stop impudent authorities.**

Nuclear power is a deadlock! Together we will be able to stop NPP

construction in Belarus and stand for our right to wholesome future for

humans and nature!

If you have any intention to make solidarity actions with the

Belarussian antinuclear movement or join actions in Belarus, please

contact us: