April 26th - Day of Mourning and Remembrance

Children release doves at a ceremony next to a memorial site honoring the victims of the 1986 explosion and fire at the Chernobyl nuclear power station in Kiev April 26, 2006. Mourners marked the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster on Wednesday, honoring those who died as leaders pledged to ensure it would never happen again.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement on the 20th anniversary of the disaster at Chernobyl, Ukraine:"Today, I speak on behalf of all Canadians in expressing our support and friendship for the people of Ukraine and of its neighbouring countries, who continue to suffer the tragic consequences of the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear station. The international community must continue to work together to ensure that a tragedy such as this never happens again."Canadians will not forget what happened 20 years ago on this day in Chernobyl, nor those whose health and livelihoods were so dramatically altered by the disaster. Yesterday, Canada announced an $8 million contribution, bringing our total commitment for Chernobyl-related projects to $66.2 million. "I also wish to acknowledge all those Canadian families who have opened their hearts and their homes to bring relief to the children affected by the Chernobyl disaster. Canada will continue to support efforts in the affected region to mitigate the consequences resulting from the damaged reactor, and to help the individual victims of this tragedy and their families."

As someone who had to live through that disaster - this pundit more than anyone else would like to remind everyone that we should never forget the destructive power of the nuclear energy, especially when it is misused. Hopefully, world will never have to face this disaster again, with respect to the victims of that disaster - IRAN MUST BE STOPPED!