Bush's push for new nuclear weapons
- 10:12 04 August 2007
- NewScientist.com news service
WHO wants a shiny new set of nuclear weapons? Hands up, the Bush administration. Who doesn't? Democrat-controlled Congress.
A statement just submitted to Congress by the Secretaries of Energy, Defense, and State argues that if the "Reliable Replacement Warhead" plan isn't approved, the US might have to re-test cold war stocks, breaching its moratorium. Critics say the new nukes are not needed and will antagonise other countries. So far, Congress has sided with the critics, slashing the proposed budget and calling for detailed preliminary studies.
Building new weapons and refusing to discuss treaties makes it "hard to convince the world we have peaceful intentions", says Phil Coyle of analyst group the Center for Defense Information.
"We have to fulfil our obligations and commitments if we expect non-nuclear parties to cooperate," says Daryl Kimball of the Arms Control Association. President Bush has refused to seek ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban signed by former president Bill Clinton.
