Remarks by
H.E. MR. HARRI HOLKERI
President of the General Assembly
Before the General
Assembly takes action on
the draft resolution concerning
the closure of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant
14 December 2000
The tragedy at the Chernobyl
Nuclear Power Plant almost 15 years ago affected almost the entire territory
of Europe, most of all Ukraine and the neighboring areas of Belarus and the
Russian Federation, and caused long-lasting complex problems. The human suffering
caused by the accident cannot be measured and its environmental impact was partly
irreversible. The Chernobyl accident was a major global technological catastrophe
and an eye opener in many respects.
We will soon take action on a draft resolution on the "Closure of the Chernobyl
Nuclear Power Plant". We all welcome the decision by the Government of Ukraine
to close the Chernobyl plant tomorrow, 15 December 2000. By doing so Ukraine
pursues her commitments under the Memorandum of Understanding signed in Ottawa
in 1995.
The draft resolution before us invites the international community to continue
to provide support to the Government and people of Ukraine and other affected
states. It is my sincere hope that the adoption of this draft resolution in
connection with the closure of the plant will give new impetus to the concerted
efforts by the United Nations system aimed at mitigating and minimizing the
consequences of the Chernobyl disaster.