Austrian government considering lawsuit against Czech Republic

The Austrian government has asked lawyers to look into the possibility of filing an international lawsuit against the Czech Republic over the Temelin nuclear power plant in south Bohemia. Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer said that the request did not imply that the Austrian government had firmly decided to take court action. Austria remains concerned over safety standards at the nuclear plant and anti-nuclear activists question the Czech Republic's adherence to the so-called Melk agreement, which binds the Czech Republic to informing its neighbors about any problems at the plant within a set time limit.

The country's heads of government agreed last week to establish a joint parliamentary commission to monitor safety at Temelin, but Austrian anti-nuclear activists dismissed the talks and have continued to effect border blockades demanding the plant's closure.