(429.4231) WISE Amsterdam - Industry sources disclosed on 21 February that Turkey has signed a consultancy contract behind closed doors for the nuclear power station project despite strong domestic environmental protest. The Akkuyu plant would be the country's first after 3 decades of stop-start planning. Earlier this year, Turkey's Environment Minister Riza Akcali pledged that the plant would not be built if environmental studies proved negative.
The venture, led by Korea Atomic Research, secured the contract with a very low bid of US$ 350,000 last November to the state Turkish Electricity Generating and Transmission Corporation (TEAS). Industry sources say TEAS' estimate was nearer US$ 1.5 million.
Construction tenders could be invited for the plant by 1996, and an erection contract could be awarded by 1997, according to the industry sources. The plant is needed to fill a forecast gap in generating requirements by the early 2000s in supplies from thermal and hydro-electric stations, according to Turkish Energy Ministry studies.
The Turkish government renewed its interest in nuclear power in 1993, after it was popularly discredited by the mid-1980s Chernobyl disaster in the former Soviet Union. Chernobyl's fall-out allegedly irradiated Turkey's Black Sea coast and contaminated much of its staple tea and hazelnut crops.
Mayors and citizens of towns close to the site also lodged vehement protests with the country's Environment Ministry in December. Turkish environmentalists have been organizing anti-nuclear actions since the early days of this decision. However, the government's intention to construct several nuclear power plants has increased in the last 3 years. Correspondingly, some 50 different NGO's (like environmental action groups, students associations, labour unions, local municipalities) have started to run a nation-wide anti-nuclear campaign. Lots of different actions like street demonstrations signature campaigns, anti nuclear weeks and festivals were organized.
What has been done in 1994
May: Meetings with local action groups, defining the general outline of the campaign in the coming months. Anti-nuclear walk of villagers and environmentalists to the proposed site.
August: Two young guys have started two individual protest actions, by bike and by foot. Lots of local actions were arranged in the town they passed through. The actions finished in October and November.
October: Alternative Energy Festivals organized both in Izmir and Istanbul against the government's congress on promoting nuclear energy.
November: Anti-nuclear demonstration in the garden of the Turkish Electricity Authority in Ankara, organized by Greenpeace in cooperation with the Turkish Greens. The action's goal was to hang up banners with the slogans "No more Chernobyls", and "We don't want, we won't let". After the action, 26 Turkish activists and 9 foreigners were sent to court.
December: About 500 inhabitants from the nearby villages of the Akkuyu NPP together with their mayors came to Ankara, telling the prime Minister and the Ministry of Environment that they will object the construction of Akkuyu NPP.
In addition to these actions, lots of explanatory letters were sent to various journalists who were promoting nuclear energy. However, the media has started a great campaign in favor of nuclear energy. Meanwhile, the government continued to take concrete steps on the NPP issue. A South Korean company has been chosen as the consulting firm for Akkuyu and for other possible plants. Thus, 1995 seems to become even more important.
Actions planned in 1995:
February: A mini walk in Adana, A SEED Climate Tours in Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir. The first session of the Greenpeace action trial. General assembly of Friends of the Earth.
March: anti-Nuclear Music Concert in Akkuyu, with nationally famous artists. Parallel, local actions focusing on the concert.
May: Alternative Festival against the government's Energy Congress. Any international contribution is welcome for this action.
August: Training course on nuclear energy, organized by YEE and GSM-Youth.
What you can do:
Writing solidarity letters for Turkish activists.
Public prosecutors have sued 35 people from the anti-nuclear-movement, who have taken part at the non violent action in November 1994 in Ankara. The government wants them to be sentenced to prison for 1.5 - 3 years, because of ignoring the law on regulating demonstrations. However, such actions are very new for the Turkish public - that is why this action might not be covered by these laws. On February 16, the people had to appear at the court-defended by 12 advocates and an additional lawyer for Greenpeace.
Another trial is scheduled for April 24. Any contribution is welcome, stating that you're against nuclear power and don't want the Turkish Greens to be punished because of their action. Addresses, where you can spread this message;
Turkish embassy in your country
Cumhurriyet Gazet (newspaper), mit Otan, Fax: +90-232-441 9117
Associated Press Ankara, - Kaya karacalar, Fax: +90-312-426 5801
Adolu Ajansi (News agency owned by public) - Cemil Tunca, Fax +90 232-484 6241
Source: The Verge, February/March 1995 and message on 22/2/95, 08:00 TSI on Newsdesk aps.
Contact: GSM-Youth Activities, Servce Yksel Cad. 44/6, 06420 Kizilay/Ankara, Turkey.
Tel: +90-312-433 2200; Fax: +90-312-433 2227
On 24 April (the day of the trial) you are asked to send faxes to the Turkish journals and the Turkish Embassy in your country:
RESOLUTION
Today members of Turkish Green Movement and Greenpeace Mediterranean are on trial, because they were involved in a Non-Violent Anti Nuclear Action in Turkey on November 11, 1994. They risk to be sentenced for 1,5 - 3 years!We, as a European Non Governmental Organization, want to express our solidarity to the accused persons.
Our way of life on this Earth is destroying the nature.
Nuclear Energy is one of the industries contributing to this destruction and to an unhealthy and unsecure environment. There is a strong environmental movement all over the World.
All over the world the nuclear industry promotes the nuclear energy as being safe and sane. All over the world incidents and accidents are proving that this is not true at all.
There are many reasons for people to protest against nuclear energy, the more as there are alternatives enough.
In a democracy a dialogue between government and activists must be tried out. We are very concerned about the trials and the possible sentences in Turkey proclaiming to be a Democratic Republic.
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