Journalists Not Allowed At Belarusian NPP

The Russian general contractor assures that “nothing wrong happened to the reactor,” but does not let journalists to check this out.

Following the request of Radio Svaboda to allow access to the territory to see the construction, the Belarusian NPP information center stated that there is a clearly defined procedure for visiting the strategic object:

“Send in your request, there will be carried out a verification procedure. Following it you will be given or not given the permission. But the verification will be in any case. There are no other options, only a preliminary request,” – an employee of the center said.

Journalists have already sent the appropriate request to the nuclear power plant management and are waiting for its consideration.

According to the internal regulation of the RUE “Belarusian NPP”, for the admission to the construction site Belarusian mass media representatives have to send a formal request with the passport data, copies of the media accreditation certificate, information about the vehicle, as well as plans of their articles, interviews and photographic, film and video scenario plans, not less than 14 days before the planned visit.

The same data must be submitted one month before the proposed visit for the admission of foreign media representatives.

It has been recently reported that on July 10, during a training installation of the reactor, the 330-ton unit came off and fell to the ground. Some of the witnesses reported to local democratic activists that the height of fall had been greater than 10 meters. It was also reported that the site of the incident had been cordoned off and was under constant and heavy security.

However, neither Atomstroyexport, nor the Ministry of Energy of Belarus have commented on the situation. Only when the information caused a massive public outcry, the Ministry of Energy made it plain: the decision on further construction and installation work will be taken in Moscow: “The Belarusian side will continue to be guided by the need to guarantee the absolute safety of the nuclear power plant. The relevant decisions will be taken by Atomstroyexport,” – the department informed.

In turn, Atomstroyexport claims that there has been a “common standard situation, as could happen at any other construction site” – during the lifting works only some of the reactor vessel’s paint has been worn off.