Date: Thu Sender: owner-nukenet@envirolink.org X-Listprocessor-Version: 8.2.07 -- ListProc(tm) by CREN Status: RO X-Status: NucNews-1-Int'l 3/18/99 - Europe Y2K; Australia; China; Russia/Iran; Iraq NucNews-2-US- 3/18/99 - Y2K; Security Labs; Senate Missiles; Military ---(1) 1. French nuclear security body says security at nuclear power stations in eastern Europe remains very worrying March 17 1999 Published at 20:06 GMT http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/newsid_298000/298559.stm A report of the French nuclear security body says that security at nuclear power stations in eastern Europe remains very worrying despite some progress. The report said that last year some countries experiencing serious economic difficulties wanted to extend the lifespan of reactors with known defects. The head of the French nuclear power watchdog Andre-Claude Lacoste said several countries had not honoured signed commitments to shut down their reactors in order to receive Western aid. French assistance goes to Russia Ukraine Slovenia the Czech Republic and Slovakia. 2. Third uranium mine set to proceed 18 March 1999 Australian Broadcasting http://www.abc.net.au/news/newslink/weekly/newsnat-18mar1999-33.htm Australia's third uranium mine looks set to go ahead with Federal Environment Minister Robert Hill giving it the green light. Senator Hill has found no environmental reason to stop the mine. ALSO: SA uranium mine given go-ahead [Beverley uranium mine in South Australia] March 18 199 Australian Financial Review http://www.afr.com.au/content/990318/update/update32.html ALSO: Hill gives all clear to uranium mine Thursday 18 March 1999 Australian Broadcast http://www.abc.net.au/news/newslink/weekly/newsnat-18mar1999-51.htm ALSO: Mine passes nuclear test March 18 1999 The Australian http://www.theaustralian.com.au/state/4347459.htm 4. China Criticizes US for Missiles March 18 1999 Associated Press http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/i/AP-China-Missile-Defense.html BEIJING (AP) -- China today criticized a U.S. missile-defense bill that was passed with overwhelming support by the Senate. 5. Russia offers Iran nuclear contracts deal USA Today - March 18 1999 http://usatoday.com/news/world/nw1.htm MOSCOW - Russia's top nuclear official offered a deal with the U.S. on Wednesday: Leading nuclear research institutes will stop working with Iran if U.S. sanctions are lifted against the Russian centers. 6. Is the Bomb Within Saddam's Grasp? Reader's Digest March 17 1999 http://nt.excite.com/news/bw/990317/ny-readers-digest PLEASANTVILLE N.Y. (BUSINESS WIRE March 17 1999) - In an article that is simultaneously appearing on the Reader's Digest web site (www.readersdigest.com) and the editorial page of the Wall Street Journal Reader's Digest contributing editor Kenneth R. Timmerman has uncovered evidence indicating that Saddam Hussein is much closer to producing a nuclear weapon than the Clinton administration has publicly indicated. He may in fact have this capability within a year. http://www.readersdigest.com/rdmagazine/specfeat/archives/timmermanindex.htm http://www.readersdigest.com/rdmagazine/specfeat/archives/timmermanstory.htm http://www.readersdigest.com/rdmagazine/specfeat/archives/timmermanlinks.htm Images: http://www.readersdigest.com/rdmagazine/specfeat/archives/timmermanphotoinde x.htm Documents: http://www.readersdigest.com/rdmagazine/specfeat/archives/ 7. Lawmakers consider Iraq policy 3/17/99- USA Today http://usatoday.com/news/washdc/ncswed08.htm WASHINGTON (AP) - The Clinton administration wants to stick with a U.N. program that lets Iraq sell oil for food despite congressional objections arguing that it does not affect oil prices significantly or help Saddam Hussein remain in power. Energy Secretary Bill Richardson told senators Wednesday that Iraq's 2.5 million barrel-a-day production under the program has a negligible impact on U.S. oil prices. ---(2) 8. (U.S.) Gov't Estimates Y2K Cost at $6.8B March 18 1999 Associated Press http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/w/AP-Y2K-Progress.html WASHINGTON (AP) -- The federal government's estimated price tag for fixing its most important computers to avoid the Year 2000 technology problem rose $400 million to $6.8 billion and that amount is expected to go up again in the future. 9. Energy Secretary Announces Steps to Tighten Security at Nuclear Labs March 18 1999 New York Times By JAMES RISEN http://www.nytimes.com/library/world/asia/031899china-us-nuke.html ALSO: New Security Steps at Energy Shelby Doubts Richardson's List Is Adequate to Bar Espionage By Vernon Loeb Washington Post March 18 1999 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-03/18/084l-031899-idx.html WASHINGTON -- The Energy Department has begun an internal investigation into accusations that its chief of intelligence was improperly barred from briefing Congress last year about allegations that China stole data from a nuclear weapons laboratory Secretary Bill Richardson announced on Wednesday. 10. Senate 97-3 Endorses a Commitment to Deploy Anti-Missile System By Helen Dewar Washington March 18 1999 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-03/18/002l-031899-idx.html ALSO: By Wide Margin Senate Approves Missile Defense System New York Times March 18 1999 http://www.nytimes.com/yr/mo/day/news/washpol/missile-defense.html ALSO: News Analysis: On Missile Bill Clinton Again Jumps In Front of Someone Else's Parade New York Times March 18 1999 http://www.nytimes.com/yr/mo/day/news/washpol/missile-clinton.html The Senate yesterday voted overwhelmingly to commit the United States to deploy a national anti-missile defense system after President Clinton and most Democrats dropped their long-standing opposition to the measure in return for a renewed commitment to arms control. [An unpleasant but important subject resurrected. It's time the U.S. military stops preparing the citizens for martial law - whatever their reasons. For anyone not familiar with the various shenanigans the military have been up to domestically write me with the message "NucNews: Send More Information!" in the subject line ] 11. Marines Train in Preparation for Workers' Potential Y2K Anger By Steve Vogel Washington Post March 18 1999 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-03/18/141l-031899-idx.html ["They can't pay me enough..."] 12. Meager wages taking a toll in Military By Carol Morello USA TODAY 3/18/99 http://www.usatoday.com/news/acovthu.htm 13. House OKs Coast Guard Bill March 18 1999 Associated Press http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/w/AP-Coast-Guard.html WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House has agreed to provide $9.4 billion to the Coast Guard over the next two years including almost $2 billion for drug interdiction. _____________________________ A fast way to keep up to date: Subscribe to NucNews !! 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