[en] The chairman of the governing body of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) has recently commented on the hold-up of improvements to east European reactors due to delays in the provision of funding by western nations. At Chernobyl, two of the four reactors are still in operation. The main defects which led to the disaster in 1986 have been corrected in these and all similar RBMKs. But desirable improvements remain to be carried out to eliminate the risk of minor accidents. The west is criticized for committing too much funding to western engineering studies. The emphasis should now be on enabling eastern operators to buy and install new equipment. Technology transfer is also important so that equipment can be made locally and more cheaply. WANO is increasingly concerned by conditions attached to grants from 67 countries which are administered by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The Bank is singled out for criticism over delays in funding safety improvements to older reactors. (UK)