United States Mission to the OSCE
As delivered by Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Harry Kamian
to the Permanent Council, Vienna
April 26, 2018
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
On the 32nd anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster, our thoughts remain with the victims, from the emergency workers who gave their lives to prevent an even greater disaster, to those living in the area affected by the fallout.
As we reflect on the tragedy of Chornobyl, so too must we recognize the progress that has been made to complete a new confinement structure for the destroyed reactor. The structure is designed to protect the surrounding environment for the next one hundred years and allow for the safe clean-up of Chornobyl.
We look forward to continuing our work with the Ukrainian Government and our international partners to improve the lives of the Ukrainian people living there and those affected across Ukraine and Belarus.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.