KOROR (Island Times/Pacnews) — Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. reiterated his support for Japan’s plan to discharge wastewater into the Pacific Ocean from the Fukushima nuclear power plant.
In an interview with ABC Pacific last week, he said: “I stand by the decision that I made months ago, which was I support transparency. I support a methodical basis for doing this, to use the best science and data to make sure that…the environment, especially the ocean, which not only the people of Japan depend on, but all of us in the Pacific depend on, has not [been] impacted negatively.”
Whipps was the first Pacific island leader to support Japan after he visited Fukushima.
He said Japan is releasing not nuclear wastewater but treated water.
He said he understands that there is fear among the Pacific people regarding nuclear issues, but he said it is important to find solutions and to be transparent to each other.
The International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, has said that the release is safe for the people and the environment.
According to the Singapore-based Straits Times, the South Korean government has concluded from its own study that the water release meets international standards and said it respects the IAEA’s assessment.
Whipps said Japan has applied rigorous science to the treatment of the contaminated water.
He added that while the nuclear plants are down, Japan has to use coal to generate energy.
“Use of coal is causing our islands to disappear and the main cause of climate change, which is the major problem we are facing now,” Whipps said.
Fiji, Papua New Guinea, the Cook Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia have also supported Japan, while Vanuatu and Tuvalu are opposed to the release of the treated water.
Surangel Whipps Jr.
