Posted on 03/20/2002 7:06:30 AM PST by areafiftyone
The UK is prepared to use nuclear weapons against rogue states such as Iraq if they ever used "weapons of mass destruction" against British troops in the field, defence secretary Geoff Hoon has told MPs.
Mr Hoon said he was not certain Britain's nuclear arsenal would deter a first strike from a state willing to sacrifice its own people to make a "gesture".
He also told MPs the possibility of terrorists acquiring weapons of mass destruction was a cause for "real anxiety" and something "we would have to guard against very seriously".
However, he stressed, there was no evidence that any terrorist group had so far acquired such weapons.
And the prospect of terrorists acquiring ballistic missiles was not considered a major threat.
Mr Hoon was briefing MPs on the threat posed by four countries identified by the UK as "states of concern" - Iraq, Iran, Libya and North Korea.
Chemical weapons
"There are clearly some states who would be deterred by the fact that the UK possesses nuclear weapons and has the willingness and ability to use them in appropriate circumstances, " he told the Commons defence select committee.
"States of concern, I would be much less confident about.
"Saddam Hussein has demonstrated in the past his willingness to use chemical weapons against his own people.
"In those kinds of states, the wishes and needs and interests of citizens are clearly much less regarded, and we can not rule out the possibility that such states would be willing to sacrifice their own people to make such a gesture."
No evidence
He added: "They can be absolutely confident that in the right conditions we would be willing to use our nuclear weapons.
"What I can not be absolutely confident about is whether or not that would be sufficient to deter them from using a weapon of mass destruction in the first place."
Of the four "states of concern" identified by the UK, Mr Hoon said North Korea appeared closest to developing intercontinental ballistic missiles.
There was no evidence of a direct threat to the UK from North Korea, he said.
But, he added: "Their threat is a threat to the stability of the world because they are clearly very determined to sell their equipment to anyone who has the cash to buy it."
Mr Hoon also singled out Libya as a cause for concern.
"I am sure Libya has an aspiration to develop a weapon of mass destruction and, equally, would like to purchase the necessary technology to allow it to deliver it.
"That conjunction is something we keep a close eye on."
Missile defence
Mr Hoon said he still considered Iraq the greatest threat the UK currently faced.
But, he stressed there were no states - to the government's knowledge - that had both the intention and the ability to launch an attack against the UK.
Mr Hoon refused to be drawn on the extent of UK involvement in the development of the US missile defence - or son of Star Wars - system.
In a statement, he told the committee: "We have so far received no requests for from the United States for the use of sites in the UK for missile defence purposes.
"We do not know exactly what might be involved in any such requests nor when they might be made.
"If we are asked to make such a decision we will ofcourse do so on the basis of our own national interest."
He said that would include the UK's own national security, which includes the "security interests of our closest ally".
"The US has made clear that it wants to see territory of its friends and allies protected from emerging missile threats.
"It has not yet said how this might be achieved. We are ready to engage positively in a dialogue on that question."
That's a very unilateral move on the part of the UK. Were Britain's allies consulted before this statement was made? [/Sarcasm]
Start with the EU.
Go England!
This is to inform that if a single Brit soldier, sailor or airman develops a cold while we destroy your thugs, family and you.
You and your palaces and Bagdhag will glow for the next several centuries!
PS: To Iran, Syria, Somalia, Lybia, we may disinfect you and your thuggish countries as a prophylatic measure.
PPS: To the Super Rich Saudi Princes, if you finance even a cold germ for the terrorists. You will have to herd goats around a no enter zone around your capital and Mecca/Medina for several centuries.
Love and Peace
Tony
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