EU Commissioner Praises Safety of Disputed Czech Nuclear Plant

The nuclear power plant in Temelin, southern Bohemia, which has been strongly criticized by neighboring Austria and activists from some other countries as "atomic scrap" is much safer than believed originally, EU Enlargement Commissioner Guenter Verheugen has said. "When all planned changes are completed, Temelin will probably be the safest nuclear power plant in Europe," Verheugen said according to the paper `Muenchner Merkur', which is quoted by the Austrian news agency APA. It is however not clear when and on what occasion Verheugen made the statement. Temelin, situated a mere 60km from the nuclear-power-free Austria, has raised sharp protests from the Austrian government as well as various activists in Austria and other countries. They say the plant is not safe because it combines Soviet design with Western safety technology and fuel. Temelin was launched in early October.