Nuclear Meltdown

Japan's nuclear crisis will be overcome: IAEA

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-03-21 22:14

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano attends an extraordinary board of governors meeting on the nuclear disaster in Japan at the United Nations headquarters in Vienna March 21, 2011.[Photo/Agencies]

VIENNA -- Yukiya Amano, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said on Monday that he is confident that the current nuclear crisis in Japan will be overcome.

"I have no doubt that this crisis will be effectively overcome. Nature can be cruel. but human beings are brave, resourceful and resilient, "Amano told a special meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors.

He also pointed out that crisis has still not been resolved and the situation at the Fukushima No.1 nuclear power plant remains very serious. In addition, high levels of contamination have been measured in the locality of the plant.

However, there are also some positive developments, and emergency teams at the site have never lost hope and have not given up, Amano said

"At this stage, the priority remains stabilizing the nuclear reactors and restoring safety," said he.

Amano also told the 35-nations board that additional IAEA staff will fly out from Vienna shortly to strengthen the monitoring team already in Japan.