But there was nothing simple about the Serdobsk reactor, a liquid-metal-cooled fast breeder.

Also the construction of fast breeders, essential in the long-term use of nuclear power, is in his view too difficult to be realistic.

Opposition to fast breeders in Europe has been vigorous.

If fast breeders proliferate how can the spread of plutonium to countries which would have no scruples about making their own nuclear weapons be checked?

The reactor is of a type known as a liquid-metal fast breeder.

Additionally the controversial fast breeder and high temperature reactor projects are being re-examined.

In the late 1990's Japan plans to begin building a "demonstration" of such a fast breeder reactor.

Construction of prototypes is continuing (see fast breeder or generation IV reactors).

But he argued that the cost could be reduced as French technicians learned more about designing and building fast breeders.

That would, in fact, involve the massive expansion of a new generation of fast breeders, which have already proved such a devastating failure in Europe.