Mikhail Kasyanov: Russian System For Transportation Of Radioactive Substances Is One Of The Most Reliable In The World

Russian Premier Mikhail Kasyanov has called the Russian system for the transportation of radioactive substances one of the most reliable in the world. Speaking at a governmental session on Thursday, he said that no emergency had occurred during such shipments over the past 50 years. According to him, the Russian government has recently discussed various aspects of nuclear security, and "now we touch on the transportation one." Kasyanov believes that the government should remain focused on this issue, and the cabinet hold further discussions of it again. The Premier also stated that the number of transports of nuclear substances had recently increased, primarily, on the railway. Approximately 30 such convoys travel on Russian roads every day. In this connection, Kasyanov stated that IAEA (the International Atomic Energy Agency) was developing new transportation security standards and Russia was participating in it. He said that Russia would also be improving its own security measures during the transportation of radioactive substances. Kasyanov also stressed the importance of informing society about new developments in this area. In addition, the Premier reported that the cabinet will be considering two draft laws concerning the establishment of compulsory professional pension schemes. Stating that many Russian employees retire each day, Kasyanov stressed that their pensions should be linked to their former occupation. Primarily, this refers to the people who used to work in hazardous conditions. The premier added that this year the government had already considered and submitted to the State Duma (the lower chamber of the Russian parliament) 7 draft laws to reform the pension system.