Story-Date: 12:04 a.m. PST Wednesday, August 4, 1999 NucNews-Brief 8/03/99 - Headlines Please address replies to articles to the original publisher. Please send NucNews copies? Refuting false information appreciated! ------------------------------------------------- NucNews-1 8/03/99 - Events / Activists NucNews-2 8/03/99 - Korea / Japan NucNews-3 8/03/99 - China NucNews-4 8/03/99 - Russia NucNews-5 8/03/99 - Mideast - Iraq Sudan NucNews-6 8/03/99 - U.S. NucNews-7 8/03/99 - Military --- (1) CRITIC'S CORNER: TUESDAY By Robert Bianco USA TODAY August 3 1999 http://www.usatoday.com/life/columns/lrous.htm CBS' 60 Minutes II (9 p.m. ET/PT) repeats a chilling January report about a Russian city that based its livelihood on the manufacture of plutonium. It's hard to say which story angle is more disturbing: what they've suffered or what they might do to regain prosperity. Y2K as it affects nuclear power plants: www.nirs.org (Nuclear Information & Resources Service) www.enviroweb.org/nukenet/ (Y2K & Nuclear Safety Forum) www.enviroweb.org/tmia (Three Mile Island Alert) www.co-intelligence.org (The Co-Intelligence Institute) http://homepages.tig.com.au/~foesyd (Friends of the Earth Sydney) Marilyn Elie Indian Point Project Elie@highlands.com Plutonium would be Canada's forever Storage site lacking for weapons waste Martin Mittelstaedt Environment Reporter Monday August 2 1999 http://www.globeandmail.com/gam/National/19990802/UPLUTN.html Senior federal officials have given assurances to the United States that surplus plutonium from Russian and U.S. weapons used in Ontario nuclear reactors will remain in Canada forever a federal document obtained by The Globe and Mail says. Eminent Scientists Experts Tell Senate to Ratify CTBT U.S. Newswire 2 Aug 12:39 http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/Current_Releases/0802-111.htm http://www.ucsusa.org WASHINGTON Aug. 2 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Nine eminent scientists and former intelligence and military officials have sent a letter to all 100 U.S. senators calling for prompt ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). MILITARY: Just How Many Bombs Needed? By JAMES BUSH August 2 1999 http://www.latimes.com/excite/990802/t000068632.html PERSPECTIVES ON SPENDING PRIORITIES Guns or Butter? / While politicians in Washington are debating how to spend a surplus they hope will come over the next 15 years they still have to pass next year's budget. Current plans are to fund huge increases in Pentagon spending (the House proposal is almost $20 billion more) by cutting domestic programs.... Duds Keep On Killing Tuesday August 3 1999; Page A14 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-08/03/014l-080399-idx.html The problem of high dud rates in cluster bombs has been well known to the military for years.... These weapons should be banned from the U.S. arsenal and arsenals around the world. VIRGIL WIEBE Baltimore The writer is a consultant to the Mennonite Central Committee on duds. --- (2) N.Korea Says U.S. Pressure Could Prompt Missile Test Updated 6:51 AM ET August 3 1999 By Linda Sieg http://webcrawler-news.excite.com/news/r/990803/06/news-korea-north TOKYO (Reuters) - North Korea said Tuesday it would push ahead with test-firing a missile if the United States stepped up its pressure on the reclusive communist state. -- NKorea Missile Base Upgrade Alleged By The Associated Press August 2 1999 http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/i/AP-Japan-NKorea-Missile.html TOKYO (AP) -- North Korea is improving and expanding facilities at its ballistic missile launch base on the country's east coast a Japanese newspaper reported Tuesday. -- U.S. Will Back Project Despite N. Korea Missile 12:34 a.m. Aug 03 1999 Eastern by Carol Giacomo http://www.dogpile.com newswires WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States preparing for the worst Monday argued strongly for continuing a $5 billion nuclear power agreement with North Korea even if Pyongyang conducts a long-range missile test. -- Japan Reluctantly Sharpening Its Sword N. Korea China Feed Misgivings About Pacifism By Doug Struck Washington Post Foreign Service Monday August 2 1999; Page A13 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-08/02/079l-080299-idx.html TOKYO Aug. 1-Jitters over signs that North Korea might test another long-range missile have hastened Japan's gradual move away from a half-century of strict pacifism. --- (3) China Scolds U.S. Over Taiwan Arms Deal Updated 8:26 AM ET August 2 1999 http://webcrawler-news.excite.com/news/r/990802/08/news-china-usa BEIJING (Reuters) - China summoned a U.S. embassy official Monday to protest Washington's announced sale of $550 million worth of military aircraft and other weapons to Taiwan the official Xinhua news agency said. -- China tests new long-range missile By Bill Gertz THE WASHINGTON TIMES August 3 1999 http://www.washtimes.com/news/news1.html#link China successfully test-fired its newest long-range missile yesterday amid heightened tensions with Taiwan over pro-independence remarks by the island's president. -- China Taiwan Step Up Sorties Over Strait As Flights Tension Rise U.S. Fears Risk of Clash By John Pomfret and Steven Mufson Washington Post Staff Writers Tuesday August 3 1999; Page A01 http://search.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-08/03/048l-080399-idx.html Chinese and Taiwanese fighter jets have flown hundreds of sorties over the past three weeks along the center of the narrow strait of water that separates the two sides in what analysts called the sharpest military escalation of tension in the area in three years. -- U.S. Plays Down China Missile Test Updated 12:34 AM ET August 3 1999 By Carol Giacomo http://webcrawler-news.excite.com/news/r/990803/00/international-china-usa WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States Monday played down recent Chinese military activities that have taken place in the midst of a major row with Taiwan including Beijing's test-launch of a new long-range missile.... -- Taiwan says China unlikely to attack with missile 07:46 a.m. Aug 02 1999 Eastern By Alice Hung http://www.dogpile.com newswires TAIPEI Aug 2 (Reuters) - Taiwan said arch rival communist China was unlikely to use its long-range ground-to-ground missile test-launched on Monday to attack the island. -- In Unusual Announcement China Tells of a Missile Test By SETH FAISON August 3 1999 http://www.nytimes.com/library/world/asia/080399china-taiwan.html BEIJING -- China said it test-launched a new long-range missile Monday and then it excoriated the United States for selling military equipment to Taiwan in the middle of a major diplomatic crisis.... -- Court Sentences 2 Leaders of Chinese Opposition Party By John Pomfret Washington Post Foreign Service Tuesday August 3 1999; Page A11 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-08/03/041l-080399-idx.html BEIJING Aug. 2-A Chinese court sentenced two leaders of the country's first openly declared opposition party to lengthy jail terms today an indication that Beijing is taking advantage of nationalist sentiment triggered by NATO's errant bombing of its embassy in Belgrade to clamp down further on dissent.... --- (4) Russian Leaders Mull Balkan Middle East Peace 10:47 a.m. Aug 02 1999 Eastern By Gareth Jones http://www.dogpile.com newswires MOSCOW (Reuters) - In a busy day for Russian diplomacy President Boris Yeltsin Monday signaled Moscow's desire for a more active role in two key international trouble-spots the Middle East and the Balkans. -- Yeltsin Pushes for Mideast Peace By Greg Myre Associated Press Writer Monday August 2 1999; 8:38 a.m. EDT http://search.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WAPO/19990802/V000074-080299-idx.html MOSCOW (AP) -- President Boris Yeltsin today told visiting Israeli Prime MinisterEhud Barak that the Middle East peace process was moving too slowly and said Russia was prepared to help negotiate a settlement. Barak Concerned On Russian Arms Leak To Iran 08:28 a.m. Aug 02 1999 Eastern By Adam Tanner http://www.dogpile.com newswires MOSCOW (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak expressed concern to President Boris Yeltsin and other Russian leaders Monday about the leakage of Russian nuclear rocket technology to Iran and Iraq.... -- Barak Presses Russians on Technology Leaks to Iran and Iraq By MICHAEL WINES New York Times August 3 1999 http://www.nytimes.com/library/world/mideast/080399russia-israel.html MOSCOW -- Prime Minister Ehud Barak of Israel pressed Russian leaders at the Kremlin on Monday to stanch leaks of advanced-weapons technology to Iran and Iraq and he received the same reply that the Kremlin has given the United States -- that no such leaks have occurred or will occur if Russia can help it. ... --- (5) Butler Chides Annan on Arms Probes Monday August 2 1999; 7:21 p.m. EDT http://search.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WAPO/19990802/V000550-080299-idx.html UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- Former U.N. weapons chief Richard Butler has accused U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan of trying to destroy the weapons inspection operation he headed because it was ``too independent.'' -- Annan declines comment on Butler attack Updated 5:35 PM ET August 2 1999 http://webcrawler-news.excite.com/news/u/990802/17/international-butler UNITED NATIONS Aug. 2 (UPI) U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has declined to comment on a published accusation by the former chief U.N. weapons inspector Richard Butler that he attempted the eliminate theU. N. Special Commission for the disarmament of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.... -- Saddam retires 65 Army officers Updated 12:16 PM ET August 2 1999 http://webcrawler-news.excite.com/news/u/990802/12/international-army LONDON Aug. 2 (UPI) - A London-based Arab newspaper says Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has referred some 65 Army officers to retirement. The "al-Zaman" newspaper quoted informed Iraqi sources as saying today that the officers included 42 Brigadiers and 5 Brigadiers General.... -- Iraq defends 1990 invasion of Kuwait Updated 1:57 PM ET August 2 1999 By GHASSAN al-KADI http://webcrawler-news.excite.com/news/u/990802/13/international-kuwait BAGHDAD Iraq Aug. 2 (UPI) Iraq has defended its 1990 invasion of neighboring Kuwait saying it was a necessary move to confront what it describes as a conspiracy plan against Baghdad.... - Defection Of Saddam's Kin Called 'Daring Ruse' Updated 4:31 PM ET August 2 1999 By Anthony Goodman http://webcrawler-news.excite.com/news/r/990802/16/international-iraq-defection UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Former chief U.N. weapons inspector Richard Butler suggested Monday that the 1995 defection of a son-in-law of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was a "daring ruse" designed to fool U.N. arms teams.... U.N. Unit Seeks Sudan Chemical Weapon Probe Relief Workers in Bombed Rebel Area Experienced Severe Nausea Headaches By Colum Lynch Special to The Washington Post Tuesday August 3 1999; Page A12 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-08/03/078l-080399-idx.html http://www.nytimes.com/yr/mo/day/news/world/sudan-germ-warfare.html UNITED NATIONS Aug. 2-The World Food Program called today for an investigation into allegations that the Sudanese government is using chemical weapons against rebel forces. --- (6) Moab Uranium Tailings Near River Called a `Time Bomb' THE ASSOCIATED PRESS July 31 1999 Salt Lake City Tribune http://www.sltrib.com/1999/jul/07311999/utah/11812.htm WASHINGTON -- A huge pile of uranium mill tailings near the Colorado River in Utah is a "radioactive time bomb" that must be moved to protect drinking water for Nevada Arizona and Southern California a water official told lawmakers Friday. Grissom site hides radioactive remains Costly cleanup may be required By The Associated Press August 3 1999 http://www.courierpress.com/cgi/view.cgi?/199908/02/+grissom_news.html+19990 802+news PERU IN. - A much younger Dale Sharp watched a bomber with five nuclear weapons aboard slide off an icy runway at Bunker Hill Air Force Base during a practice run and burst into flames.... Decision nears on Hanford reactor review The energy secretary may decide this week whether to go ahead with a study that could call for a restart Monday August 2 1999 From The Associated Press http://www.oregonlive.com/news/99/08/st080209.html YAKIMA -- U.S. Energy Secretary Bill Richardson could decide as soon as this week whether to order a detailed review to determine the future of a surplus experimental reactor at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. GTS Duratek Announces Contract for Steam Generator Processing for Kewaunee Nuclear Power Plant 10:00 a.m. Aug 02 1999 Eastern http://www.dogpile.com newswires COLUMBIA Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 2 1999--GTS Duratek Inc. (Nasdaq:DRTK) announced today that a team led by GTS Duratek including Siemens Power Corp. and Bechtel Power Corp. has been awarded the first contract to process steam generators in the USA. --- (7) Anti-Ballistic Missile Has 2nd Hit After Failures Pentagon Elated at Intercepting Target in Space By Bradley Graham Washington Post Staff Writer Tuesday August 3 1999; Page A06 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-08/03/057l-080399-idx.html An experimental Army missile defense system succeeded yesterday for the second time in hitting a high-flying fast-moving target boosting Pentagon hopes that after years of failures the antimissile weapon can work.... Lou Gehrig's Disease Claims Gulf Veterans 28 Cases Have Researchers Taking Closer Look By David Brown Washington Post Staff Writer Tuesday August 3 1999; Page A03 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-08/03/039l-080399-idx.html Persian Gulf War veterans seem to have a slightly high incidence of the fatal neurological disease ALS according to a six-month study of selected veterans' health records. Air Force Censures Vaccine Critic Nurse Wrote Letter to the Editor Questioning Anthrax Shots By Bradley Graham Washington Post Staff Writer Monday August 2 1999; Page A02 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-08/02/069l-080299-idx.html An Air Force nurse has been punished by superiors for writing a letter to the military newspaper Stars and Stripes questioning the safety and effectiveness of anthrax inoculations being administered to all U.S. troops. Pilot Officer Blamed in Bombing By Eileen Mcnamara Associated Press Writer Monday August 2 1999; 7:13 p.m. EDT http://search.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WAPO/19990802/V000542-080299-idx.html NAVAL STATION ROOSEVELT ROADS Puerto Rico (AP) -- The U.S. Navy blamed an F-18 fighter pilot and a ground control officer Monday for a bombing accident that killed a civilian and triggered demands that the Navy abandon a Puerto Rico bombing range. A report found that the Marine Corps pilot whose name wasn't released became disoriented at dusk and picked the wrong target inside the Vieques bombing range -- an observation post -- killing David Sanes Rodriguez on April 19.... Up in Arms: Department of Defense For Clark a Blitzkrieg Flank Maneuver By Dana Priest Washington Post Staff Writer Tuesday August 3 1999; Page A13 http://search.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-08/03/043l-080399-idx.html One mystery solved. Why was Gen. Wesley K. Clark's early removal from his post as NATO's top commander leaked within an hour after Clark himself was informed of Defense Secretary William S. Cohen's decision last Tuesday? Answer: Because Cohen's staff wanted to prevent Clark who had led the NATO military campaign against Yugoslavia and was known to like his job from working behind the scenes to undo the decision according to a senior Pentagon official. -- Briton refused Clark's order to intercept Russians in Kosovo By Toni Marshall and Bill Gertz THE WASHINGTON TIMES August 3 1999 http://www.washtimes.com/news/news2.html#link The British NATO commander in Kosovo refused to enforce an order from NATO Supreme Commander Wesley Clark to head off Russian troops moving to seize Pristina airport in mid-June a Pentagon source said yesterday. -- NATO's Clark Clashed With British General - Report Updated 12:13 AM ET August 2 1999 http://webcrawler-news.excite.com/news/r/990802/00/news-nato-clark NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. Gen. Wesley Clark who is stepping down early as NATO commander clashed with Gen. Mike Jackson the British commander on the ground in Kosovo after the alliance's victory there Newsweek reported Sunday. DRUGWAR Thai army to close border with Burma Updated 12:43 AM ET August 2 1999 http://webcrawler-news.excite.com/news/u/990802/00/international-burma BANGKOK Thailand Aug. 2 (UPI) The Thai army is preparing to close a key border crossing with Burma in a move intended to stem the flow of illegal drugs into the kingdom but likely to complicate bilateral relations. Annan worried by Colombia deaths Updated 2:51 PM ET August 2 1999 http://webcrawler-news.excite.com/news/u/990802/14/international-un UNITED NATIONS Aug. 2 (UPI) U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan is concerned over the "worrisome escalation of violence" caused by the conflict in Colombia his spokesman says. U.S. Drug Czar Wants Colombia Aid Reevaluated Updated 5:04 PM ET August 2 1999 By Deborah Zabarenko http://webcrawler-news.excite.com/news/r/990802/17/international-colombia-mc caffrey WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Top members of the Clinton administration should reevaluate U.S. aid to narcotics-ravaged Colombia White House anti-drugs director Barry McCaffrey said Monday. _____________________________ A fast way to keep up to date: Subscribe to NucNews !! To subscribe: prop1@prop1.org Say "Subscribe NucNews" URL's DON'T WORK? Do word search at NucNews Archives! (Tomorrow's archival posting is today's NucNews at Archive: http://www.onelist.com/arcindex.cgi?listname=nucnews) [New... Starting August 1999 try http://prop1.org/nucnews/briefs.htm for latest.] About NucNews http://prop1.org/nucnews/nucnews.htm The Conversion Project at http://prop1.org Distributed without payment for research and educational purposes only in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107.