Post by Serconea on Sept 13, 2004 5:33:19 GMT -5
Serconije Mesto Daily, 13 September 2004
Science and Technology Minister Andreas Palcar resigned yesterday after an official inquiry ruled that his ministry put out a false statement about a security breach at Enerziche A, a nuclear fuel storage plant.
The breach, on 26 May, was by a group of protestors from Serconeans Against Nuclear Energy (SANE). Two people got over the fence and placed an imitation 'bomb' on the side of a fuel truck before their arrest. At the time, the Science and Technology Ministry stated that the truck was empty and that the protestors had only got into an siding area, not the main complex.
SANE subsequently released leaked photographs and CCTV footage showing that the protestors had in fact reached the main complex before their arrest. Having avoided CCTV cameras, they in fact planted the 'bomb' on a loaded truck.
The two protestors were sentenced to 6 months in prison.
A report by the Assembly Science and Technology Committee ruled that the Minister unintentionally deceived the Assembly because the Director, Simeon Traskan, lied to him. The Director has been dismissed.
Palcar said in a statement, "I am sorry for any problems I have caused by giving incorrect information to the public. While I am not required to resign, I believe it is the best option after a breach of this magnitude. If the bomb was real, Enerziche would have been covered in fallout and many people would have died".
Prime Minister Hunter described Palcar as an 'excellent minister' who would be 'much missed'. Antonin Young is expected to take over the position.
Science and Technology Minister Andreas Palcar resigned yesterday after an official inquiry ruled that his ministry put out a false statement about a security breach at Enerziche A, a nuclear fuel storage plant.
The breach, on 26 May, was by a group of protestors from Serconeans Against Nuclear Energy (SANE). Two people got over the fence and placed an imitation 'bomb' on the side of a fuel truck before their arrest. At the time, the Science and Technology Ministry stated that the truck was empty and that the protestors had only got into an siding area, not the main complex.
SANE subsequently released leaked photographs and CCTV footage showing that the protestors had in fact reached the main complex before their arrest. Having avoided CCTV cameras, they in fact planted the 'bomb' on a loaded truck.
The two protestors were sentenced to 6 months in prison.
A report by the Assembly Science and Technology Committee ruled that the Minister unintentionally deceived the Assembly because the Director, Simeon Traskan, lied to him. The Director has been dismissed.
Palcar said in a statement, "I am sorry for any problems I have caused by giving incorrect information to the public. While I am not required to resign, I believe it is the best option after a breach of this magnitude. If the bomb was real, Enerziche would have been covered in fallout and many people would have died".
Prime Minister Hunter described Palcar as an 'excellent minister' who would be 'much missed'. Antonin Young is expected to take over the position.