ts from Global 2000, an Austrian environmental group, entered the embassy premises at 0730 GMT and unfurled banners saying "Stop Mochovce Now". Donning gas masks and protective clothing, some of the activists chained themselves to the embassy gate while others went inside. A Reuters photographer outside the embassy said Austrian police started dragging out activists from the embassy after about an hour. A police spokeswoman said later several activists had been detained but that some were still on the embassy grounds. The embassy refused to comment. A Global 2000 spokeswoman said the demonstrators had not used violence but had been allowed into the building. Global 2000, in a statement, urged Slovak Premier Vladimír Mečiar to delay the activation of the fuel rods -- part of the process of starting up the first reactor -- until experts were satisfied the plant was safe to start operations. The Soviet-designed plant, just 180 km from Vienna, has long been opposed by fiercely anti-nuclear Austria. Austrian Chancellor Viktor Klima said on Tuesday Slovakia risked damaging its European Union membership prospects and the safety of its people if it pursued plans to activate the rods. Klima, speaking after being briefed by the head of a committee of international experts who visited the plant recently, said Mochovce should remain idle until experts were satisfied it was safe to start operations. Slovakian Deputy Prime Minister Sergej Kozlík, rebuffing the Austrian concern, said on Thursday Slovakia saw no need to delay the start-up of the plant. Monopoly energy producer Slovenské Elektrárne expects to start activating fuel rods next week at Mochovce.