Title

The Legacy of Chornobyl: Health and Safety 20 Years Later

Tuesday, April 25, 2006
2226 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
United States
Members: 
Name: 
Hon. Sam Brownback
Title Text: 
Chairman
Body: 
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Name: 
Hon. Chris Smith
Title Text: 
Co-Chairman
Body: 
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Statement: 
Name: 
Hon. Benjamin Cardin
Title Text: 
Ranking Member
Body: 
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Name: 
Hon. Hillary Clinton
Title Text: 
Commissioner
Body: 
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Witnesses: 
Name: 
H.E. Oleh Shamshur
Title: 
Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States
Body: 
Embassy of Ukraine
Name: 
Hon. Stephen G. Rademaker
Title: 
Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation
Body: 
Department of State
Name: 
David Marples
Title: 
Professor of History and Director of Stasiuk Program on Contemporary Ukraine at Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies
Body: 
University of Alberta
Name: 
Dr. Pablo Rubinstein
Title: 
Director of National Cord Blood Program
Body: 
New York Blood Center
Name: 
Kathleen Ryan
Title: 
Executive Director, United States
Body: 
Chernobyl Children’s Project International
Statement: 

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.
 

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