DISINFO: Western elites don’t want Rosatom to build a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan
SUMMARY
Foreign-funded NGOs are trying to convince people that nuclear energy is bad, even though NATO countries are actively building their own nuclear power plants. These NGOs represent the interests of Western elites who do not want Rosatom to build nuclear power plants. As a result, it seems that someone wants Kazakhstan to remain underdeveloped and lacking in electricity. There is no real radiophobia in Kazakhstan; it is either invented by people who do not understand nuclear energy or by paid lobbyists of foreign organisations like USAID or the Soros Foundation.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative accusing Western countries of destabilising and interfering in countries around Russia, initiating protests and promoting the idea of 'lost sovereignty'.
The debates surrounding the construction of a nuclear power plant (NPP) in Kazakhstan are rooted in the country's past in the Soviet union, which is marked by the severe consequences of nuclear testing. These tests were conducted during Soviet times at several test sites, including the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site, Sary-Shagan, and others.
According to Demoscope public opinion monitoring bureau, public perception of the construction of a nuclear power plant is generally negative. Only 40% of Kazakhstanis are in favour of building the plant, while a total of 55% are against. Kazakhstanis disapprove of the construction of the NPP primarily due to environmental and corruption risks, as well as lack of trust in state officials.
Taking into account the concerns of the population and experts, as well as considering the tragic legacy of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site, the President of Kazakhstan has announced that the decision on the construction of the NPP will be put to a referendum.
Although the Central Election Committee has begun preparations for the nationwide referendum, the exact date has not yet been officially announced and has been preliminarily scheduled for autumn 2024. Therefore, discussing potential constructors is premature.
See a similar case that the US is pushing Lithuania against a Belarusian NPP; that US investments in Armenia preconditions the closing of the Russian-built nuclear power plant ; that the West behind information attacks on RosAtom; that the West wants to deprive Kazakhstan of peaceful nuclear energy.