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| | S/R 11: Report from Kiev |
 | | Ten years ago, on April 26, 1986, an RBMK type nuclear power reactor, likened to a 1600-barreled howitzer aimed at the sky, exploded and burned, creating the worst atomic power catastrophe to date, and contributing to the collapse of the Soviet Union. |
 | | Oddly enough, its type of containment, sort of a heavy lid over the reactor, may have actually acted as a pressure relief valve, unlike western-type containment which might have "contained" the explosion just long enough to develop outward thrust, causing damage to neighboring reactors. |
 | | Most of the 25 worst reactors in the world, called for closure in 1992 by the G7 (the world's seven richest nations) are still in operation. |
| www.greens.org /s-r/11/11-03.html (1545 words) |
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