128 



satellites to assess the national security, economic, and safety 

 implications of the program. 



Since the Chernobyl disaster in 1986, CIA experts have 

 worked closely with other US government agencies to prepare 

 detailed studies of Soviet-designed power reactors. He are now 

 working with these agencies to determine the most effective way 

 to improve the safety of these reactors. At the same time, we 

 continue to collect Information on reactor problems such as the 

 recent accident at the Chernobyl-type reactor located near St. 

 Peter sbxirg, Russi)^. 



CIA has monitored Soviet handling of nuclear waste since 

 1948, when the reactor that produced the plutonium for the first 

 Soviet nuclear weapon began operation, lie now look at 

 environmental contamination due to ar variety of nuclear 

 activities — most of which supported nuclear weapons production — 

 and questions about the safety of stored but radioactive liquid 

 and solid waste. This includes reprocessing of fuel from 

 civilian and naval reactors, and naval nuclear activities. 



The former Soviet Union's attitude toward safety in handling 

 radioactive waste materials was lackadaisical from the very 

 beginning of its nuclear program. Radioactive wastes resulting 



