2023-07-05 14:19:49
It is ‘Global Village Today’ that delivers major news from various countries around the world.
Host) What news do you have today?
Reporter) Russia and Ukraine claim that they are planning an attack on the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron has said that the recent unrest across the country has been overcome.
Host) Global Village Today, this is the first news. Ukraine’s Zaporizhia nuclear power plant main power line cut once more?
Reporter) Yes. The connection between the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, and the external main power line was cut once more on the 4th. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) revealed this through a press release on the 4th, and said that it is not known why the main power line was cut right now and how long this situation will last.
Moderator) Isn’t power supply directly related to nuclear safety?
Reporter) That’s right. The Zaporizhia nuclear power plant has a total of 6 reactors. As the war broke out in Ukraine last year and safety risks escalated, all six planes are currently suspended in a ‘cold shoutdown’ state. However, if cooling water is not supplied to cool the fuel rods, a ‘meltdown’ situation may occur, so continuous power supply for cooling water supply is essential.
Moderator) Then, what is the current nuclear power plant situation?
Reporter) Yes. The IAEA explained that it is completely dependent on the 330kV auxiliary power line as the last remaining one of the four 750kV (kilovolt) high-voltage power lines connected to the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant was cut off on the same day (4th). This 330kV power line just happened to be restored on the 1st.
Moderator) In the meantime, there have been several times when the power lines of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant have been cut off, right?
Reporter) That’s right. The Zaporizhia nuclear power plant has been under Russian control since it was occupied by Russian forces in March of last year, right following the outbreak of war. As military activities such as shelling continued in the area, power lines were cut off several times. In particular, the situation in which the main power line was cut this week draws attention as Ukraine and Russia claim that an attack by the other side on the nuclear power plant is imminent.
Host) Let’s start with the Ukrainian side.
Reporter) Yes. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky released a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron via Twitter and video address on the 4th. At the same time, he told President Macron that “the Russian occupation forces are preparing a dangerous provocation at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant.” He also said that he and President Macron agreed with the IAEA to keep the situation under maximum control.
Moderator) Are there claims that an attack is imminent?
Reporter) Yes. In a statement on the 4th, the Ukrainian military authorities claimed, citing operational analysis data, that “detonation devices are installed on the roofs of units 3 and 4.” He added that an attack might happen in the near future. Ukrainian military authorities also claimed that if the object exploded, it would create the appearance of an artillery bombardment by Ukrainian forces, although the reactor would not be damaged. Neither President Zelensky nor Ukrainian military authorities have provided evidence for these allegations.
On the other hand, Russia also claims that Ukraine is planning a nuclear attack?
Reporter) Yes. Russia has claimed that Ukraine planned to drop “dirty bombs” filled with nuclear waste at a nuclear power plant. Renat Karcha, advisor to Los Energoatom, a Russian nuclear power plant operator, even suggested a specific implementation date, ‘the night of July 5’. “On the night of July 5, under cover of darkness, Ukrainian forces will attempt to attack the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant using long-range precision weapons and self-destruct drones,” Karcha said in an interview with Russian media. However, the Carcha advisor also did not present any evidence to support his claim.
Host) In the midst of this, Russian President Vladimir Putin has appeared on the international stage following a long time, right?
Reporter) Yes. On the 4th, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit was held via video. Russian President Putin appeared on the diplomatic stage for the first time since the Wagner Group insurgency on the 23rd of last month.
Host) Shall we hear what President Putin had to say at the SCO Summit?
Reporter) Yes. Putin stressed to his leaders that his grip on power remains intact. The Wagner Group insurgency is seen as the greatest challenge to President Putin’s leadership. President Putin stressed that the Russian people and society as a whole have demonstrated solidarity and a high sense of responsibility for the fate of the motherland through the attempted insurrection. “Russia is confidently resisting external pressure, sanctions and provocations and will continue to fight them,” Putin said.
Host) Which countries are members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization?
Reporter) There were eight countries: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, and Pakistan. On the 4th, Iran was officially approved as a member, increasing the number to nine. SCO members usually share borders with Russia or are economically friendly to Russia.
Host) Are you curious regarding what Chinese President Xi Jinping talked regarding at the meeting?
Reporter) Yes. President Xi also said in a keynote speech that external forces are fomenting a “new cold war” and fomenting confrontation in the region, and that we must be highly vigilant. He also stressed that he “must be resolutely opposed to meddling in internal affairs and waging color wars for any reason.”
Moderator) In the midst of this, is there any news of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) secretary general’s second appointment?
Reporter) Yes. Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg’s tenure has been extended for another year. NATO released a press release on the 4th and announced that the North Atlantic Council (NAC), the highest decision-making body of NATO, had made this decision. Stoltenberg’s term extension plan is expected to be finalized at the NATO Summit in Lithuania on the 11th and 12th of next week. Stoltenberg was reappointed in 2018 and was originally scheduled to retire last year. However, his term was extended by one year when the war broke out in Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron gives a speech at the Elysée Palace in Paris at the invitation of the mayors of the region where the unrest occurred on the 4th.
Host) Global Village Today, this time we will go to France. France has been struggling with recent unrest. Did President Macron mention this?
Reporter) Yes. On the 4th, President Macron invited regarding 250 mayors of the region where the unrest occurred to the Elysee Palace to discuss follow-up measures and ask for their cooperation. At this meeting, President Macron said, “We still need to be cautious, but we seem to have passed the hurdle.”
Moderator) So, do you see it as having entered a lull at the moment?
Reporter) Yes. The French Interior Ministry said earlier on the 3rd that violence across France had halved in 24 hours, and regarding 70 people were arrested across the country. President Macron told mayors that the situation was somewhat calm. But he said it would take long and difficult work to return to a lasting calm.
Moderator) Was there an incident that made all of France so hot?
Reporter) On the 27th of last month, a 17-year-old Algerian teenager named ‘Nael’ was shot and killed by a police officer while running away from a traffic check in a place called ‘Nanterre’ on the outskirts of Paris, France. Since then, starting with Nanterre, protests once morest it have spread nationwide. It is analyzed that complaints regarding racial discrimination and high-handed behavior of the police exploded.
Moderator) As the protests intensified, did not some areas escalate into violence?
Reporter) Yes. Some protesters vandalized shops, vandalized and looted goods. There were also arson fires everywhere. More than 5,000 vehicles have been burned, more than 2,000 shops have been looted and more than 3,400 people have been arrested, according to French authorities. French authorities also said that regarding 800 policemen were injured during the disbanding of the protesters. French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said the average age of protesters arrested was 17, and it was not the job of the police, the mayor or the government to solve the problem of a 12-year-old setting fire to a school.
Moderator) Did a lot of teenagers participate in the protests?
Reporter) Yes. In this regard, President Macron drew attention by mentioning the need to regulate social media (SNS). President Macron said at a meeting with mayors on the 4th, “If the protests get out of control, we might be put in a situation where we have to regulate or block social media. It is very fortunate that we did not have to do that.” .
Moderator) President Macron pointed out social media as one of the causes of this situation a few days ago, right?
Reporter) Yes. In a speech to the nation on the 30th of last month, President Macron pointed out that the protest was organized and spread through social media, accusing social media of encouraging acts of violence. President Macron is facing a number of challenges, including a sharp drop in his approval rating due to the recent enforcement of pension reform. He vowed to use this protest as an opportunity to alleviate elements of conflict deeply rooted in French society.
Moderator) Yes. I will listen until today, the global village.
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