Chernobyl Nuclear Accident Congressional Hearings Transcript

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sector. These projects were implemented through the programs
developed by the Department of Energy, Nuclear Regulatory
Commission and the Department of Defense. In this regard, let me
mention the establishing and equipping of the training center for
nuclear power plants operators in Khmelnytsky and various training
courses delivered there. The joint venture of the Westinghouse
Corporation with the Ukrainian partner from Kharkiv recently became
operational and would allow Ukraine to produce necessary pieces of
equipment to further increase the safety level at our nuclear power
facilities.
The earmarking by the Congress of significant funds for
further
development of the nuclear safety assistance programs creates some
optimism for the nearest future. The Government of Ukraine is very
grateful to those Senators and Congressmen who backed this
earmark.
Out of US $225 million for 1996 assistance to Ukraine, $50 million to
$70 million could be spent for energy sector and nuclear safety needs,
Including $3 million for the establishment of the International
Research Center in Chornobyl and $2.5 million for enhanced fire
safety measures at the plant's unit number three.
The US Government helped to maintain capabilities
of about a
dozen and a half US NGOs dealing with Chornobyl victims assistance.
Medical supplies and pieces of equipment we received from DOD
excess supplies and largely private sources were leveraged by various
US NGOs from small US Government grants which helped these