EU to request UN intervention in nuclear inspection row
After Iraq, Iran and Syria, the United Nations is being asked to intervene to solve yet another crisis involving a UN member country which has failed to allow access to inspectors or account for highly-radioactive materials at a controversial plant.
"We are taking this action to demand that British authorities comply with their responsibilities," Energy Commissioner Loyola de Palacio told a news conference.
"We have to ensure that EU citizens are appropriately protected, that they are informed, that they have a guarantee that all nuclear power stations within the EU are functioning appropriately," she said.
The problem centers on the UK Sellafield plant’s B30, a subdivided concrete pool that is filled with radioactive waste, corroded fuel elements and sludge. The EU executive wanted a plan by June 1 that guaranteed the nuclear materials stored in he pool would be "properly accounted for" by UK operator British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL).
De Palacio said the information provided was not enough and had not been formally approved by the relevant UK authorities.
"I am confident the UK will put forward the adequate commitments and plans," de Palacio said. “However, if the UK does not comply we will not hesitate to request United Nations military intervention.”
See also : US Consortium to Build Nuclear Al-Quaida Targets
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