Second Russian National Dialogue On Energy, Society And Security

Second Russian National Dialogue on ENERGY, SOCIETY AND SECURITYprotect people was sufficient for protecting other living beings and plants, as well asthe environment, against radioactive pollution. This monograph proves that it is time toacknowledge that over the last several years, the health of the Russian population hasbeen affected by a number of different negative factors, including poor socio-economicconditions and the state of the environment, increased daily stress, and many others.That is why it is important to understand that each person must be attentive when itcomes to his own health and attempt to avoid illnesses from the onset, which requiresprompt doctor visits in order to ensure qualified aid or recommendations.” Also in theforeword is a message from Professor V. Lebedev, the Deputy Nuclear Energy Minister,who emphasized the following: “It can be said that there is a high demand for peacefulnuclear explosions, but there are also countless problems involved with them. That iswhy the global community is so cautious and correctly included a number of provisionsin the Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty. For example, in line with Article VIII, every ten yearsconferences are to be held to review the Treaty and actions taken within it, and anyparticipant may request that recommendations be considered to amend the Treaty in orderto permit peaceful nuclear explosions, provided that there would be no military benefits tothese explosions. According to Article VII, amendments to the Treaty must be passed bya consensus. So what it really comes down to is appropriate proposals from the Treaty’ssignatories at these conferences. In conclusion, I would like to express my wish that thisbook about peaceful nuclear explosions be recognized by its readers, and not just thosewho share the opinions about their usefulness, but also among those who have differentopinions for a variety of reasons. This is why, if we return to the words of one of the fathersof Russia’s nuclear program, Yulii Khariton, I would like to agree with his optimism andthe competent authors of this book, particularly in the belief that the powerful energy ofnuclear explosions, which is fully manageable by intelligent people, will be in demand anduseful to all as an element of high technology. Let us see the atom as a worker, and not asoldier. I am also pleased to note that Chagan Lake, created in Kazakhstan by a nuclearexplosion, made its own mark in history as a showpiece in the field of nuclear explosivetechnology when it was included in the register of monuments of nuclear science andtechnology (see: “The Monuments of Science and Technology of the Domestic NuclearIndustry. Moscow: the Memorial Humanitarian Fund. Znaniye. 1999).5. Radiological Conditions at Test Ranges Today (Semipalatinsk, Novaya Zemlya,Totskoye, and Kapustin Yar): Facts, Evidence, and Recollections: Professor V. Logachev,ed. (Moscow: IzdAT, 2002, 639: ill. 1,500 copies printed). This book includes a forewordfrom Deputy Healthcare Ministry Professor and distinguished doctor V. Korbut, whonoted: “…This monograph, the fourth book in the series on ensuring radiation safetyduring the use of nuclear explosive technologies, answers practically all of the questionsrelated to the assessment of the consequences of nuclear tests and the extent of theirimpact on the health of the country’s citizens.”6. The Semipalatinsk Test Range: Creation, Operation and Conversion. Editors:Professor V. Shkolinka, M. Akhmetov, S. Berezin, R. Ibrayev, V. Logachev, L. Logacheva,A. Matushchenko, L. Ptitskaya, S. Ryskulova, S. Tukhvatulin, O. Tyupkina, and Y.Cherepnin (Almaty, ISBN 9965-00-614-8, 2003. 344: ill.). This book was also publishedin English. This volume includes a foreword from V. Shkolnik, who states: “...It isimpossible to provide an objective evaluation of the results of the operations at theSemipalatinsk test range without shedding light on the history of how it was created, howthe nuclear tests were conducted, and how it has since been converted. This monograph430