06/18/06 U.S. Nuke Stockpile Bigger Threat

Can the United States live with an Iran that possesses nuclear weapons?

U.S. nuke stockpile bigger threat

We need to consider the nuclear ambitions of the United States. Then ask how the rest of the world will live with a U.S. that is developing new nuclear weapons, pursuing the nuclear weaponization of space and undermining international law and arms control treaties, such as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Instead of fulfilling our treaty obligations to get rid of existing nuclear weapons, the U.S. is pursuing development of new nuclear weapons, uranium enrichment, a new generation of nuclear power reactors, nuclear fuel reprocessing and increased test site readiness.

The U.S. Nuclear Posture Review states our willingness to use nuclear weapons on a first-strike basis against non-nuclear nations. Iran is included in the list of target countries.

The unique, pervasive and long-lasting threats of nuclear war, radiation exposure and radioactive environmental pollution give credence to pursuing nuclear abolition rather than nuclear proliferation. We should support international treaties and the rule of law to prevent military action.

-- Alfred Meyer, executive director, Physicians for Social Responsibility -- Wisconsin, Madison