RISKY RESTART OF NUCLEAR STATION BLOCK

According to experts the restart of the No 2 block of the nuclear power station in Paks may be dangereous because the block was in cooling water for a long time and radioactive material could get into the reactor.

The tests have been started and Greens protest against the restart. It is expected that the No 2 block will start its work early in August. István Kocsis, director of the nuclear power station company said the permit had been given by the National Office of Atomic Energy and several experts checked the block, including the Russian Kurchatov Institute. Other experts have, however, expressed their doubts and Greenpeace activists claim the restart serves only profitmaking. Attila Aszódi, the Minister’s commissionaire in the nuclear station has been dismissed recently. Mr Aszódi said the power station submitted its request for the restart on May 18 and the Atomic Energy Office had to respond within 60 days, that was the reason for the hurry.

Translated by Péter Szentmihályi Szabó