Russia Voices Concern Over US Nuclear Test Plans

NUKEWARS

A review of US nuclear weapon technologies has revealed a need to rethink the tactical use of nuclear weapons for destroying underground facilities being used in to produce or support weapons of mass destruction. To perfect such tactical weapons will require a new round of underground nuclear tests by the US that would break the unofficial test ban now in operation among the five permanent members of the UN Security council. (US, Russia, China, UK, France) all of whom are declared nuclear powers

Moscow - Mar 29, 2002
Russia is "extremely concerned" that the United States may soon abandon an international moratorium on nuclear testing to make way for development of a new generation of weapons, Interfax quoted foreign ministry sources here as saying Thursday.

The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) is "a key barrier in the path of proliferation of nuclear armaments and their modernisation ... but the United States is not in a hurry to ratify it and now seems to be preparing to quit the accord,"the sources said.

"Washington has decided to upgrade the alert at the Nevada nuclear testing grounds for the possible resumption of tests. Appeals for testing small nuclear devices are mounting.

"This position casts a shadow on the very idea of the treaty and, consequently, does not promote confidence of other states in it, which could condemn the document to death," the sources added.

The United States has maintained a moratorium on nuclear tests since 1992, along with Britain, China, France and Russia.

Only India and Pakistan tested nuclear weapons in 1998, signaling their entry into the "nuclear club."

However a US nuclear posture review published earlier this month suggests that the war against Afghanistan has highlighted the need to develop a new generation of bunker-busting weapons that could target groups like al-Qaeda hiding in deep underground caves.

All rights reserved. � 2002 Agence France-Presse. Sections of the information displayed on this page (dispatches, photographs, logos) are protected by intellectual property rights owned by Agence France-Presse. As a consequence, you may not copy, reproduce, modify, transmit, publish, display or in any way commercially exploit any of the content of this section without the prior written consent of Agence France-Presse.

NUKEWARS

Washington May Need To Test Bunker Nukes

Washington - Mar 18, 2002
The new US nuclear posture review, which hints at abandonment of an international moratorium on nuclear testing, could lift the taboo on use of such weapons and possibly encourage proliferation, experts suggested Friday.

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.