Russia launches US, Japan-funded nuclear sub scrapping facility

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia (AFP) Apr 11, 2003
Russia on Friday inaugurated the first nuclear submarine recycling plant located on its Pacific sea board, whose construction, spanning over seven years, was to a large extent funded by the United States and Japan.

The Zvezda plant, located in the port of Bolshoy Kamen, in the Vladivostok area, will be used to scrap decommissioned Pacific Fleet nuclear submarines, said the head of its sub recycling department, Alexander Kiselyov.

It should recycle between two and three subs a year, and will also process nuclear wastes that have accumulated in Russia's far eastern region over the past 50 years, he added.

Up to 40 Soviet-era nuclear-powered vessels, all in a state of disrepair and representing a serious environmental hazard, are awaiting to be recycled in Russia's far east.

The inauguration of the Zvezda plant was attended by delegations from the United States, Japan and Britain.

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