Nuclear Power Plant In Armenia Should Be Shut Down: Igdir Mayor

IGDIR - 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 A.A correspondent on Sunday, Aras said that the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant on Turkish-Armenian border posed serious threat to Igdir as it was 15-20 kilometers 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 center 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.''
(MS-UK) 06.06.2004