Demonstrators in Novorossisk to demand nuclear-free Black Sea status

On the International day of the Black Sea to be marked on October 31, a demonstration is planned in Novorossisk under the slogan "Nuclear-free status - to the Black Sea!" As explained by Vadim Karastelyov, expert of the Novorossisk Committee on Human Rights, who has submitted an application on the action to the Mayoralty, such status means a ban not only on nuclear weapon, but also on transportation of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) across the sea waters.

"If we talk about the nuclear-free status, we imply not only the nuclear weapons, as under international treaties any sail of ships with nuclear arms in the Black Sea is prohibited, but also the spent nuclear fuel (SNF), which is generated by Bulgarian and Romanian nuclear power plants on," Vadim Karastelyov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"We possess information that one of the berths in Novorossisk is already prepared for transportation of SNF, but we can't confirm or deny this information yet. Because of a threat of SNF transportation across the Krasnodar Territory, we need a long-term public campaign aimed at obtaining trustworthy information and passage of legislative measures to award the nuclear-free status to the Black Sea. This is our maximum goal for the nearest 25 years, while the minimum one is to ban SNF transportation across the Krasnodar Territory," said Mr Karastelyov.