The Legacy of Chornobyl: Health and Safety 20 Years Later

Transcript

Tuesday, April 25, 2006, 4:00 am

Witnesses

H.E. Oleh Shamshur

Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States

Embassy of Ukraine

Hon. Stephen G. Rademaker

Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation

Department of State

David Marples

Professor of History and Director of Stasiuk Program on Contemporary Ukraine at Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies

University of Alberta

Dr. Pablo Rubinstein

Director of National Cord Blood Program

New York Blood Center

Kathleen Ryan

Executive Director, United States

Chernobyl Children’s Project International

This hearing, chaired by Sen. Sam Brownback and Rep. Chris Smith marked the 20th anniversary of the nuclear disaster in Chornobyl, Ukraine. This is not only significant because of the long-term effects that the catastrophe had in the area, but also because of the circumstances under which it took place. More specifically, as Smith did not fail to point out at the hearing's start, the explosion took place under the veil of secrecy brought to the world by the Soviet Union. The nuclear reactor at the Chornobyl site was part and parcel of U.S.S.R. property, so the Soviet Union was able to conceal what transpired from the outside world.

This hearing emphasized much needed work to be done for the residents of Chornobyl, including aid by the United States.

Relevant Countries

Belarus | Russian Federation | Ukraine | United States of America

Leadership

Christopher Smith | Ben Cardin | Sam Brownback