Klaus: Temelín expansion rational move

Temelin, South Bohemia, July 20 (CTK) - Czech President Vaclav Klaus considers the completion of the Temelin nuclear power plant a rational step, he told reporters after his visit to the plant Friday.

However, the CEZ state power utility must at the same time see to it that the project for 300 billion crowns does not become more expensive and is completed within the planned deadline, Klaus said.

"I consider the strong interest in the building of another two (Temelin) units very rational," Klaus said.

Temelin plays an important role in the domestic energy market, he noted.

"Everybody must realise that one-fifth of all electric energy is generated there. Yet there are people who are not able to appreciate it," Klaus said.

The completion of the Temelin nuclear plant should start in 2016. The costs are put at 200-300 billion crowns. The third and fourth units are to be completed by 2025.

The lucrative bid is sought by the U.S. company Westinghouse, France's Areva and the Czech-Russian consortium Skoda JS, Gidropress and Atomstroyexport.

Klaus did not say Friday which of the projects seemed to him the most advantageous for the Czech Republic.

"I will not comment on it. After all I could not take a look into the documentation which 200 experts are assessing under the strictest possible measures," Klaus said.

Government commissioner for the Temelin completion Vaclav Bartuska said some time ago the project of two new units was a complex operation in terms of technology and personnel and he questioned whether it was realistic.

Klaus Friday sharply objected to Bartuska's statements.

"I do not know Mr Bartuska and I have never talked to him. I do not consider him any super expert and I do not know whether he is a commissioner for the Temelin completion. I supposed that he is a certain strange commissioner for Czech energy industry," Klaus said Friday.

Klaus returned to Temelin after nine years. In his capacity as president, he visited the power plant in March 2003 when he toured the South Bohemia region. Klaus also visited Temelin in 1997 when he was the prime minister.

Klaus is a proponent of nuclear energy. When he was the prime minister the decision to complete the Temelin project, initiated under the Communist regime, was made.

In the evening, Klaus will open the 21st international music festival in the UNESCO-listed Cesky Krumlov, south Bohemia.

($1=20.604 crowns)