Statement by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Speakes on the Soviet Nuclear Reactor Accident at Chernobyl

Statement by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Speakes on the Soviet Nuclear Reactor Accident at Chernobyl

Larry Speakes, Principal Deputy Press Secretary

In response to the Chernobyl nuclear accident, the Reagan administration established a U.S. interagency task force, led by the Environmental Protection Agency, to monitor health and environmental effects. The task force will provide daily updates, increase radiation sampling, and collaborate with international efforts. The U.S. expressed concern and offered technical aid to the Soviet Union while urging transparent communication to mitigate global risks. The Soviet reactor, an RBMK model, suffered significant damage, releasing radiation as a fire continued to burn in its graphite core.

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum
National Archives

1986-04-30

Speech

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum National Archives https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/archives/speech/statement-principal-deputy-press-secretary-speakes-soviet-nuclear-reactor-2

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