Ukraine - With solemn ceremonies and rallies, Ukraine, Russia and Belarus on Sunday marked the 12th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster that continues to haunt the three former Soviet republics. Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma declared that his country would adhere to previous pledges to close the ill-fated nuclear power plant. We do not have any other choice. But Kuchma said a definite shutdown date depends on when promised Western aid will arrive in the country. The health ministry says close to 3,600 Ukrainians who took part in the cleanup effort have died from radiation exposure.
Private groups say the death toll is at least twice as high.
In 1995, Ukraine and the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations agreed to close the plant in exchange for Western aid. The money would help finish two nuclear reactors to compensate for the energy Chernobyl provided. But the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is not expected to make a decision on whether to fund the new reactors until late this year. Ukrainian officials say they are prepared to keep the plant's only functioning reactor open well into the next century if they do not receive the promised aid. It has been under repair since last year and is scheduled to resume producing electricity next month.