SAKHAROV SPEAKS

" I have long been astounded by the stormy demonstrations... by all kinds of campaigns in Western countries against the construction of nuclear power plants and fast breeders . . .

"It is difficult to explain to a layman that a nuclear reactor is not a bomb, that coal and oil fired plants are a far greater danger to the environment and public health than a fission reactor or a breeder of equal capacity. . .

"The development of nuclear energy is one of the necessary prerequisites for retaining economic and political independence of every country, both developed and developing.

"Especially great is the importance of nuclear energy for Japan and Western Europe. If the economies of these countries continue to depend to a more or less substantial degree on the supply of fuel from the USSR and other countries in its sphere of influence, then the West will live under the constant threat of having these supplies embargoed. This will result in a humiliating political dependence. In politics, one concession always entails the next. It is difficult to predict where this might ultimately lead to. . .

"There is a political interest by the USSR to exploit the energy difficulties of the West. . .

"Problems concerning the development of nuclear power . . . must be solved without baseless emotions and prejudices. It is not just a question of comfort, of maintaining the so called 'quality of life.' The issue is far more important economic and political independence, the preservation of freedom for our children and grandchildren."