a l in Approved For Release 2011 02 08 CIA-RDP88800443R000401740004-5 STATEMENT ON THE IMPLICATIONS or THE CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR ACCIDENT May 5 1986 1 We the Heads of State or Government of seven major industrial nations and the Representatives of the European Community have discussed the implications o the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power station We express our deep sympathy for those affected We remain ready to extend assistance in particular medical and technical if and when requested 2 Nuclear power is and will continue to be an increasingly widely used source of energy For each country the maintenance of safety and security is an international responsibility and each country engaged in nuclear power generation bears full reaponsibility for the safety of the design manufacture operation and maintenance of its installations Each of our countries meets exacting standards Bach country furthermore is responsible for prompt provision of detailed and complete information on nuclegr emergencies and accidents in I particular those with potential transboundary consequences Each of our countries accepts that responsibility and we urge the Government of the Soviet Union which did not do so in the case of Chernobyl to Approved For Release 2011 02 08 CIA-RDP88800443R000401740004-5 Approved For Release 2011 02 08 2 CIA-RDP88BOO443R000401740004-5 - - 2 - provide urgently such information as our and other countries have requested ' 3 We note with satisfaction the Soviet Union's willingness to undertake discussions this week with the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA We expect that these discussions will lead to the Soviet Union's participation in the desired post-accident analysis 4 We welcome and encourage the work of the IAEA in seeking to improve international cooperation on the safety of nuclear installations the handling of nuclear accidents and their consequences and the provision of mutual emergency assistance Moving forward from the relevant IAEA guidelines we urge the early elaboration of an international convention committing the parties to report and exchange information in the event of nuclear emergencies or accidents This should be done with the least possible delay Approved For Release 2011 02 08 CIA-RDP88BOO443R000401740004-5 This document is from the holdings of The National Security Archive Suite 701 Gelman Library The George Washington University 2130 H Street NW Washington D C 20037 Phone 202 994-7000 Fax 202 994-7005 nsarchiv@gwu edu