Devil`s alternative
REOPENING the Metsamor nuclear power plant is turning out to be a devil of a problem for beleaguered Armenia. The plant had supplied almost half of Armenia's electricity requirements, but was shut down after a devastating earthquake in the area killed 25,000 people in 1988 and raised fears that radiation from the plant could contaminate the entire irrigation system because Metsamor is located just 3.2 km away from a major seismic fault.
Now, a blockade by Azerbaijan -- with whom Armenia is locked in a bitter war -- has disrupted Armenia's oil and gas supplies and Metsamor's 30,000 residents along with the rest of the country are contending with just a couple of hours of electricity a day, no cooking gas, near total unemployment and exorbitant prices.
Government officials say despite their nightmares about another earthquake damaging the nuclear plant severely, they may have to reopen it to alleviate the people's suffering.