University neutral in nuke fray

University neutral in nuke fray

SEMARANG, Central Java: Diponegoro University has pledged
neutrality in the burning controversy over the government's plan
to build nuclear power plants on Mount Muria, Jepara.

Rector Muladi said on Saturday that the university's academic
concern was to provide objective academic assessment of the
project.

"Never force us to say whether we support or reject the
project," Muladi told the visiting members of the House of
Representatives Commission overseeing technology.

The government will decide whether it will go ahead with the
project and what the academics can do is provide data on its
social, economic and political impact, he added.

The first power plant is expected to go into operation in
2003, producing about 800 megawatts of electricity. (har)