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)