US using British atomic weapons factory for its nuclear programme

[IndianaGreen]

Source: The Guardian

US using British atomic weapons factory for its nuclear programme

• Joint warhead research carried out at Aldermaston
• Work breaches nuclear treaty, campaigners warn

Matthew Taylor and Richard Norton-Taylor
The Guardian, Monday 9 February 2009

The US military has been using Britain's atomic weapons factory to carry out research into its own nuclear warhead programme, according to evidence seen by the Guardian.

US defence officials said that "very valuable" warhead research has taken place at the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston in Berkshire as part of an ongoing and secretive deal between the British and American governments.

The Ministry of Defence admitted it is working with the US on the UK's "existing nuclear warhead stockpile and the range of replacement options that might be available" but declined to give any further information.

Last night, opposition MPs called for a full parliamentary inquiry into the extent of the collaboration at Aldermaston and campaign groups warned any such deal was in breach of international law. They added that it also undermined Britain's claim to have an independent nuclear weapons programme and meant British taxpayers were effectively subsidising America's nuclear programme.

The US president, Barack Obama, while on the campaign trail said he wanted to eliminate nuclear weapons and that one of his first actions on taking office would be to "stop the development of new nuclear weapons". But the Pentagon is at odds with the president. The defence secretary, Robert Gates, and other senior officials argue that the US's existing arsenal needs to be upgraded and that would not constitute "new" weapons.

Kate Hudson, of CND, said: "Any work preparing the way for new warheads cuts right across the UK's commitment to disarm, which it signed up to in the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. That this work may be contributing to both future US and British warheads is nothing short of scandalous."


Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/feb/09/us-uk-atomic-weapons-nuclear-power

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Nuclear weapons are a threat to the whole of humanity, and the US is the biggest hoarder of nukes and other WMDs.

[Solly Mack]

1. My goodness

[IndianaGreen]

2. How can the US accuse Iran of violating the same treaty that we are?

:shrug:

[Solly Mack]

3. Same way America always defends its hypocrisy

America - good..all others - bad

[acmavm]

4. Sure is a good thing Obama kept Gates, huh?

:sarcasm:

[caraher]

5. Our treaty commitment to disarm is the fact we dare not mention

I don't believe anyone in American politics or media ever mentions that facet of the nonproliferation treaty. It's always portrayed as a "deal" targeted at the Irans and North Koreas with no comment on any reciprocal duties.