Gorbachev backs alternative power sources

     Former Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev says nuclear power stations should only be built in cases of extreme need.
Mr Gorbachev is in Brisbane as the keynote speaker for this weekend's Earth Dialogues summit.
     He says while new nuclear power stations may be needed, there has not been enough investment into alternative power sources.
"Given that there is a deficit of energy and the power situation in the world is very difficult, nuclear power stations may be needed," he said through a translator.
     "But only as a lesser evil and only in extreme need should such stations be built."
Mr Gorbachev says he is disturbed at what he believes is the rise of militarism and the prevalence of nuclear weapons.
     "We see signs of a new arms race in the world and I think it would be totally wrong and unacceptable, intellectually wrong and irresponsible, to start another arms race," he said.
     "That would be like, as we say in Russian, stepping on the same rake again."

ABC News, 21.07.2006