Turkish mayor says Armenia should close nuclear plant

Anatolia news agency, Ankara
6 Jun 04

Igdir, 6 June: Nurettin Aras, the mayor of northeastern province of
Igdir, has said that nuclear energy power plant in Armenia should be
shut down.

Speaking to the AA Anatolia correspondent on Sunday 6 June , Aras said
that the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant on Turkish-Armenian border posed
serious threat to Igdir as it was 15-20 kilometres from the province.

Noting that they had collected 2,500 signatures on the first day
of a one-week campaign launched by his office for closure of the
nuclear power plant, Aras said that they would bring their demand
to authorities.

Defending that the power plant had suffered damage in an earthquake
in Armenia in 1988 but it had not been reinforced, Aras claimed that
planes carried fuel oil to the power plant.

Recalling that the power plant was very close to city centre of
Igdir, Aras said: “Our residents are worried about any possible leak
or explosion at the power plant. Several trees near Armenian border
have died, causing us to feel we are in danger. I call on the World
Health Organization to take action as soon as possible. Necessary
initiatives should rapidly be launched to close down this plant.”

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress