ElBaradei: Stop worrying about Temelin

28 August 2007

[Radio Prague, 27 August 2007; PROFIL Online]Austrians ought to stop focusing on the existence of the CzechRepublic's Temelin nuclear power plant, International Atomic Energydirector general Mohamed ElBaradei has told an Austrian newspaper. Inan interview with Profil,ElBaradei gave his opinion that Austrians ought to focus not on thefact that nuclear power plants exist but on safety issues - and thatTemelin was no cause for concern on that front. "I do not have theslightest fear about Temelin. I can say so with a clear consciencesince I live in Austria," he said. The Temelin plant, located 60 kmfrom the Austrian border, has long been a controversial subject betweenthe two countries, with the actions of Austrian anti-Temelin activists,including border blockades, straining Czech-Austrian relations.Although not confident that ElBaradei's remarks would quell theactivists, Czech Agency for Nuclear Safety head Dana Drabova welcomedhis remarks as adding to the overall assessment that "Temelin may notbe a star among power plants but it is a perfectly normal power plantthat does not endanger anyone."

Further information

WNA's Nuclear Power in CzechRepublic information paper

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