Dutch nuclear plant under investigation

PETTEN, Netherlands, Dec. 6 (UPI) -- The Dutch government obstructed an investigation for security breaches of a nuclear plant in Petten, Netherlands, a Dutch newspaper reports.

A police raid in September 2003, found the nuclear plant owned by the European Commission Joint Research Center was in breach of environmental and safety standards, the De Volkskrant reported over the weekend.

According to document obtained from the Dutch Justice Ministry, the investigation was stalled by the Dutch government in March 2004 for fear of diplomatic conflict with the European Union.

The police classified the raid at Petten as very serious. In their reports, they found toxic waste stored without protection, placing a high risk for an explosion.

Both the Dutch Ministry for Environment and the Joint Research Center said the plant was safely secured, and there had been recent improvements to bump up security.