IAEA / GROSSI ZAPORIZHZHIA PLANT

STORY: IAEA / GROSSI ZAPORIZHZHIA PLANT
TRT: 04:07
SOURCE: IAEA
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 29 MARCH 2023, ZAPORIZHZHIA, UKRAINE

SHOTLIST:

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA):
“I think that, in general, the situation is not improving. It is obvious that military activity is increasing in the region. So every possible measure and precaution should be taken so that it is not attacked and can be protected. Well, I think it's no secret that there is a significant increase in the number of troops in the region. And there is open talk about offensive counter-offensives and so on. Regarding [the] solutions that you refer to, my focus, of course, is on nuclear safety, security. And as you know, I have been working with the leadership in Kyiv and in Moscow as well, in order to set measures aimed at protecting the plant. There have been different ideas. There have been different concepts that we have been working on. Initially we were focusing on the possibility of the establishment of a well determined zone around the plant. Now, the concept is evolving, is refocusing more on the protection itself, the things that should be avoided. For example, in order to protect the plant, rather than on territorial aspects, which pose certain problems, but it is a work in progress, I would say. Working with all of these things, all of these ideas, all of these statements, prove one thing – and this is that it is very, very important that we agree on the fundamental principle that a nuclear power plant should not be attacked under any circumstances. Or it shouldn't be used to attack others, likewise. And this is at the basis of this concept to try to set certain measures principles to be agreed by the military. Let's say that a nuclear power plant should never be a military target. And there should not be heavy military weapons or equipment at a nuclear power plant. This is what I'm trying to have [an] agreement [on]. We have different sorts of deals. In this regard, I think what is important is to make sure that there are no attacks and as I was saying, I am trying to put on the table realistic, viable proposals that can be accepted by all. A nuclear accident, radiological consequences, with spare no one, Russia, Ukraine, the rest of Europe… so we need to avoid that, I am optimistic that it is possible. We are we are working on certain measures and agreements to protect the plant. No, no, we're not going to have a fortress here. The idea is to agree on certain principles, certain commitments, including not to attack the plant, for example, and some others that I'm discussing. This is a nuclear power plant. It's not a military base. Should never be a military base.”

STORYLINE:

The International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Director General, Rafael Mariano Grossi, said that “it is obvious that military activity is increasing” around the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, in Ukraine, and that “every possible measure and precaution should be taken so that it is not attacked and can be protected”.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday (29 Mar) at the end of a visit to the plant, Grossi said that “it's no secret that there is a significant increase in the number of troops in the region” and “there is open talk about offensive counter-offensives and so on.”

IAEA’s chief said he has “been working with the leadership in Kyiv and in Moscow” to “set measures aimed at protecting the plant.”

Grossi added, “There have been different ideas. There have been different concepts that we have been working on. Initially we were focusing on the possibility of the establishment of a well determined zone around the plant. Now, the concept is evolving, is refocusing more on the protection itself, the things that should be avoided.”

For the Director General, “working with all of these things, all of these ideas, all of these statements, prove one thing – and this is that it is very, very important that we agree on the fundamental principle that a nuclear power plant should not be attacked under any circumstances.”

Grossi continued, “Let's say that a nuclear power plant should never be a military target. And there should not be heavy military weapons or equipment at a nuclear power plant. This is what I'm trying to have [an] agreement [on]. We have different sorts of deals.”

In this regard, the IAEA’s chief said he is “trying to put on the table realistic, viable proposals that can be accepted by all.”

“A nuclear accident, radiological consequences, with spare no one, Russia, Ukraine, the rest of Europe… so we need to avoid that, I am optimistic that it is possible,” said Grossi.

The Director General concluded, “This is a nuclear power plant. It's not a military base. Should never be a military base.”