Christians warn of new generation of nuclear weapons
-25/11/03
Christians are warning that tens of thousands of casualties may be the result of the
Christians warn of new generation of nuclear weapons
-25/11/03
Christians are warning that tens of thousands of casualties may be the result of the development of a new generation of nuclear weapons by the USA.
The 2004 US defense authorization bill, just passed by Congress and Senate next goes to President George Bush for signature.
It removes the (self-imposed) ban on researching low-yield (less than 5 kilo ton) nuclear weapons, and provides funding for their research. While Congress voted funds for initial development, the Senate rejected that as a move too far.
The intent is eventually to produce a generation of usable nuclear ‘bunker buster’ weapons, to be used against deeply buried bunkers which might contain weapons of mass destruction.
Conventional ‘bunker busters’ are effective only against shallow bunkers.
David Cockburn of Christian Peacemaker Teams commented “In reality, the only reason for funding the research is the belief that such weapons may be developed and used. The last thing the world now needs is a new generation of usable nuclear weapons, which if they had been available might have been used against Iraq.”
“This would cross the nuclear threshold, and potentially threaten tens or thousands of casualties. The US and ally UK would lose any claim to moral high ground. Tony Blair needs to speak out now to persuade George Bush to veto this move.”
Christians warn of new generation of nuclear weapons
-25/11/03
Christians are warning that tens of thousands of casualties may be the result of the development of a new generation of nuclear weapons by the USA.
The 2004 US defense authorization bill, just passed by Congress and Senate next goes to President George Bush for signature.
It removes the (self-imposed) ban on researching low-yield (less than 5 kilo ton) nuclear weapons, and provides funding for their research. While Congress voted funds for initial development, the Senate rejected that as a move too far.
The intent is eventually to produce a generation of usable nuclear ‘bunker buster’ weapons, to be used against deeply buried bunkers which might contain weapons of mass destruction.
Conventional ‘bunker busters’ are effective only against shallow bunkers.
David Cockburn of Christian Peacemaker Teams commented “In reality, the only reason for funding the research is the belief that such weapons may be developed and used. The last thing the world now needs is a new generation of usable nuclear weapons, which if they had been available might have been used against Iraq.”
“This would cross the nuclear threshold, and potentially threaten tens or thousands of casualties. The US and ally UK would lose any claim to moral high ground. Tony Blair needs to speak out now to persuade George Bush to veto this move.”