Dumb Question from a Canadian reader

[crappyjazz]

Okay, so, I'm usually pretty self-directed in my own learning (read "I google a lot") and I've learned tons from this message board (PNAC, etc.) and I thank you all for your amazing posts full of interesting facts I never knew before.

So, I'm hoping someone out there can explain to me just who the hell decides who can and can't have nuclear power and/or weapons? Is it the U.S.? Is it the U.N.? I've looked all over the internet and can't see to get a proper answer. I figured I could get one here! I know Bush is the Decider, but surely, please god tell me, this is NOT up to him?

thanks!

[William769]

1. I don't think there is a International law

On who can have nuclear power & who can't.

With that said I think most Countries listen to the IAEA (International Atom Energy Agency). Here is their website if you like to look at it.


http://www.iaea.org/

[elehhhhna]

2. A: the only country that ever USED nukes decides. Fucked up huh?

[William769]

4. What about B:.

[BlackHeart]

3. Here's my own dumb question...

...does Canada have any nuclear weapons?

[crappyjazz]

11. We used to

but not anymore. I believe we contributed scientifically to the Manhatten Projgect and we had sold uranium to the US back then. Today we allow nuclear-armed American planes and naval vessels to use Canadian facilities however.

We have nuclear power plants but no WMD. I guess we're okay until the world decides that we're "pariahs" on the scene too. ha ha ha ha the concept of us being viewed that way cracked me up!

[BlackHeart]

12. Well if anything bad happens

in the world (nuke wise) it won't matter if you were the target or not, the wind carries fallout without regard to borders.

[crappyjazz]

15. that's what scares the shit out of me

the whole world is subject to this madman's whims (bush's, not the iranian guy)

[HamdenRice]

5. It's a complex system of international law

Basically states (governments) still enforce international law. International law is made by treaties between states. There are international treaties concerning nuclear energy that basically say that the existing nuclear weapons powers can keep their weapons, and in exchange other states can acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, and everyone agrees not to proliferate (spread weapons technology), and the nuclear powers undertake to reduce their weapons arsenels.

Enforcement is very complicated. The IAEA has an investigatory role, supervising nuclear plants, making sure radioactive material and technology is not diverted to weapons programs.

If any one violated the rules, enforcement is by states. As with any other international disputes, enforcement should be through the United Nations Security Council. But the UN is not a world government. It is a forum for states, who can make ad hoc arrangements for enforcement, eg military coalitions, or rely on existing coalitions like NATO (eg Bosnia).

As for Iran, the basic position is that Iran has signed the nuclear treaties and is in compliance. But certain states have taken the position that even though Iran is in compliance, it is so much a pariah state, it may not acquire more nuclear technology.

Enforcement would be through the security council, but Bush has said that if the UN doesn't act -- and it won't -- the US would act as a state to enforce its preferences.

[crappyjazz]

16. So what's the point of the UN? really?

I suppose that's a question that cannot be answered.

[ContraBass Black]

18. To allow states to work out conflicts and provide for the downtrodden

Without blowing each other up.

Of course, something that works by mutual agreement can be circumvented by a hellbent madman.

[pacalo]

6. As an American, I'd like to know the answer myself!

Why is possession of nuclear weapons allowed at all? Bush's insane need for manufacturing a superhero image for himself while having access to the red button -- with no checks & balances -- is reason enough to outlaw nuclear weapons altogether.

[verse18]

7. There is no such thing as a "Dumb Question."

:)
Sometimes the only way to find something out is to ask.

Personally, I've been wondering about this myself.

[Sisaruus]

8. I'm a U.S. citizen and I've often wondered

Isn't it about time the U.N. inspectors are sent into the U.S.A. to determine how many WMDs we have? And perhaps the international community should consider economic sanctions against us until we begin to show some self-constraint.

[Neil Lisst]

9. I speak Canadian, eh!

It's aboot doing as I say and not as I do, with the "I" being the USA.

That's aboot it.

[crappyjazz]

17. Simple and to the point! ha, thanks!

$

[Montagnard]

10. Here is a good background site

http://www.acronym.org.uk/npt/

[crappyjazz]

13. Thank you all!

amazing information and I'm reading it all right now ... so I guess I get the concern even more now ... the US (well really, the world) is at the point where if Bush "decides" that Iran intentions are not as stated then we're headed for another showdown. I can't believe that he will get away with this again, but I'm still shocked that he got away with it the first time :(

[AlCzervik]

14. not a dumb question at all and i know because i ask lots of um

i myself have always wondered about that same thing--"who made you pope of this dump?" and i have never found out.