Chernobyl Nuclear Accident Congressional Hearings Transcript

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Mr. Denton. I don't have that answer, Senator, but I would be
happy to supply it. Perhaps someone here from FEMA might have
a feel for it.
Senator Bumpers. Well, Senator Metzenbaum came well prepared.
Give them the figures.
Senator Metzenbaum. 218,398, and I think there were a couple
of births since that figure.
Senator Bumpers. It may be like my hometown; we never could
grow because every time a baby was born, somebody had to leave
town.
The Chairman. Senator Murkowski.
STATEMENT OF HON. FRANK H. MURKOWSKI, A U.S. SENATOR
FROM THE STATE OF ALASKA
Senator Murkowski. I have a statement which I would ask
unanimous consent be entered in the record.
The Chairman. So ordered.
Statement of Hon. Frank H. Murkowski, a U.S. Senator From the State of
Alaska
Good morning Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen. Mr. Chairman, I commend
you for holding this very important hearing. There are many lessons we can learn
from the Chernobyl accident and this hearing is the necessary first step to that
process.
I recognize that the primary purpose of this hearing is to explore the impacts of
the Chernobyl accident on our domestic nuclear power industry. I trust that the witnesses
will cover that matter thoroughly in their presentations. However, I would
like to focus for a moment on another aspect of the accident. An aspect which is
more i>eople related than the central theme of this hearing.
Reports continue to reach us that the Soviet nuclear disaster a Chernobyl may be
more extensive than was previously indicated.
Chernobyl is located in the heart of the Soviet Union's breadbasket—the "black
earth" region of the Ukraine which has traditionally provided the vast majority of
Russia's food. It now appears that a significant part of that area has been contaminated
by radioactive fallout from the accident. Dairy and meat herds have also been
affected. At this time of year, many Russian fields lie plowed and open, making it
easier for contamination to sink deeper into the soil.
If these reports are true, the Russians could be facing an enormous human tragedy.
They already have difficulty raising enough food to feed their population. Fallout
from this accident could make that problem worse, perhaps much worse for
years to come.
I have been a frequent critic of the Soviet Union. I have condemned its repression
of freedom at home, its actions in Afghanistan and Poland, its continued military
buildup. But there are times when we have to set our differences aside and respond
as human beings to a human tragedy.
This accident is not a political issue, it is a humanitarian one. I strongly support
the President's offer to the Soviets of all possible assistance—not only to cope with
the immediate problem of the reactor meltdown, but to deal with the long-term
problems, including health and food supply.
This is not just altruism: it involves our own security and safety. The cloud of
radioactive dust from Chernobyl is being carried around the world. This accident
reminds us that, in the nuclear age, the fortunes of our two countries—indeed, of
the entire world—are ultimately bound together.
This could prove an historic opportunity for us to work together with our Soviet
adversaries on a problem which threatens us both. What is needed is an international
effort to pool our knowledge about how we can deal with this unprecedented,
international problem.
The world is ready to help the Russian people in this time of national disaster.
But the secrecy with which the Soviets surround such tragedies makes it difficult to
do so. Whether it is pride, a misplaced sensitivity about security, a reluctance to
admit mistakes—whatever it is—this approach is unnecessary and tragic. The secre-