MOSCOW: Russia said on Wednesday it wanted the International Atomic Energy Agency to take a “more objective and clearer” stance on nuclear safety, a day after the head of the agency visited a Russian nuclear plant close to where Ukraine has mounted an incursion into the country.
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi toured the Kursk plant on Tuesday and warned of the danger of a serious nuclear accident there. He said he had inspected damage from a drone strike, which Russia had blamed on Ukraine, but did not say who was responsible.
Russian state news agency RIA quoted Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova as saying in a radio interview that Moscow wanted the IAEA to speak out more clearly on issues of nuclear security, although she denied it was demanding that the agency should take a pro-Russian line.
“We see both the assessments and the work of this structure (the IAEA), but each time we want a more objective and clearer expression of the position of this structure,” Zakharova said.
“Not in favor of our country, not in favor of confirming Moscow’s position, but in favor of facts with one specific goal: ensuring safety and preventing the development of a scenario along a catastrophic path, to which the Kyiv regime is pushing everyone.”
Ukraine has not responded to Russian accusations that it attacked the plant in Kursk region, close to where its forces launched a surprise incursion on Aug. 6 that Russia is still trying to repel. Fighting has been take place about 40 km (25 miles) from the facility.
Grossi said during his visit that the plant, built to a Soviet design, was especially vulnerable because — unlike most modern nuclear power stations — it lacked a containment dome that might offer protection in the event of a strike by drones, missiles or artillery.
Asked by a reporter at a news conference to condemn the drone damage as a “nuclear provocation” by Ukraine, Grossi replied: “Again, pointing fingers is something that I, as director general of the IAEA, must take extremely seriously. But it is obvious that you cannot separate what we have seen here from the recent military activity that we have seen.”
The IAEA has urged both sides throughout the 30-month war to refrain from fighting around nuclear plants in order to avoid a catastrophic incident.
Russia criticizes UN nuclear watchdog after trip to plant close to fighting
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Russia criticizes UN nuclear watchdog after trip to plant close to fighting
Ousted Madagascar president must face justice, says new leader
- France’s role in secretly helping Rajoelina to escape had outraged people who wanted him to stand trial, although it had also “stabilized” the situation, said the army colonel, who was sworn in as president on Oct. 17
ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar: Madagascar’s new ruler told France 24 on Friday that he wanted former President Andry Rajoelina to stand trial for “crimes” including the shooting of demonstrators in unrest that led him to flee in October.
Col. Michael Randrianirina also said in an interview with the French broadcaster that he remained committed to a plan to call new elections in the Indian Ocean island within two years.
Youth-led demonstrations that started in September against persistent water and power shortages snowballed into a protest movement that the government tried to stop with a crackdown, which left many people dead and injured.
After Randrianirina’s CAPSAT army unit announced its support for the protesters on Oct. 14, Rajoelina fled with the help of French forces, and his whereabouts are still not known.
France’s role in secretly helping Rajoelina to escape had outraged people who wanted him to stand trial, although it had also “stabilized” the situation, said the army colonel, who was sworn in as president on Oct. 17.
“There were injuries, there were human losses. Our wish is to try him in Madagascar,” he told France24.
“Everything that happened in Madagascar stems from the president’s initiatives, the president’s orders, even the bullet wounds. These are crimes that could be subject to trial,” he said, accusing the former leader of impoverishing the nation.
Rajoelina’s wealthy businessman ally Maminiaina “Mamy” Ravatomanga, who fled to neighboring Mauritius as the tensions mounted, should also face justice, the colonel said.
“Our resources have been plundered,” he said.
Randrianirina said his administration’s plan for Madagascar included a national consultation starting next week, followed by a constitutional referendum and elections within two years.
Asked if he would stand for election, he said: “Right now, I am working, and I am not thinking about being a candidate at this time.”
The colonel also denied that he had seized control in a coup, saying the Constitutional Court had “transferred power” to him.
After speaking with French President Emmanuel Macron last month, he had agreed to accept support from France, the colonel said.
Asked about the National Assembly president’s recent trip to Moscow, he said, “We are open to all types of collaboration.”
