Posted on 03/09/2002 1:07:48 AM PST by kattracks
The White House has ordered the Pentagon to prepare plans for using nuclear weapons against at least seven countries and to build smaller nuclear bombs for certain battlefield situations, according to a published report today.
Tops on the nuclear hit list are China, Russia, Iraq, North Korea, Iran, Libya and Syria, according to a classified Pentagon report obtained by the Los Angeles Times.
"This is dynamite," Joseph Cirincione, a nuclear arms expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, told the newspaper. "I can imagine what these countries are going to be saying at the UN."
The Times said the secret report, given to Congress on Jan. 8, says the nuclear weapons could be used against targets able to withstand nuclear attack; in retaliation for attack with nuclear, biological or chemical weapons, or "in the event of surprising military developments."
The report says the Pentagon should be prepared to use nuclear weapons in an Arab-Israeli conflict, in a war between China and Taiwan or in an attack by North Korea on the south, and possibly in an attack by Iraq on Israel or another neighbor.
The call for a limited-range arsenal was seen as an important deterrent against enemies who doubt the U.S. would use larger weapons in certain situations because of the widespread death and destruction they would cause.
The U.S. has long had a detailed plan for nuclear attack on Russia, but the new Nuclear Posture Review apparently marks the first time an official list of potential targets has been compiled.
The report acknowledges Russia is no longer officially an "enemy," but cites concern about the huge Russian arsenal of about 6,000 deployed warheads and some 10,000 smaller "theater" weapons, The Times said.
Pentagon spokesman Richard McGraw declined comment because, he said, the report is classified.
Nuclear analysts predicted to the newspaper that the report would draw strong reaction, but some insisted the Pentagon must be ready — especially after Sept. 11 — for all contingencies.
One nuclear expert, John Isaacs, president of the Council for a Livable World, said, "This is very, very dangerous talk.... Dr. Strangelove is clearly still alive in the Pentagon."
U.S. policy generally has been to consider the use of nuclear weapons against nonnuclear states only if they are allied with nuclear powers.
That one's been around longer than "Top Secret".
This has been our deterrence policy since the 1960's that I know of. The Clintoon changed some of the strike back policies while he was destroying the intel and strike back capabilities of America. GW quietly informed the heads terrorist countries that we will strike back and maybe pre empt strikes last week. That cause some stink around terror land as their depends over flowed. They like to send young suicide bombers out but not put them selves in harm's way.
So is this for real folks or is this disinformation?
Nice for all of the left wing fish wraps to get the message out re the big stick.
Yes, or course.... Congress, which has an oversight role and is part of the constitutional process of "checks and balances" shouldn't be told anything. The Executive branch should be free to do anything is wants, anytime, without regard for any of the prosesses which were put in place by the founders.
Just give up the Republic and turn it all over to the Pres... nothing to worry about here... just keep moving.
Fool.
Amen to that. Acknowledging our enemies want to and will try to nuke us.
MM, your Stealth President has struck again. He has gotten the word out to the Axis of Evil and their weapon suppliers, China and Russia thanks to the LA Times. You terrorists hurt America, say good night! It will be big time TERMINAL BOHICA TIME FOR YOU ALL!>
Also, now GW knows who the leakers are. This was probably one of Da$$hole's demonicRat senators who hates GW and America. He/she/it has been called into Ms Rice's office and shown that he/she/it had to leak this info as he/she/it were the ones told. Of Course it could be multiple he/she/its. The good CIA people have some big time payback for the Rats who weakened the CIA since Carter's time. Many of these Rats are in the Senate, now!
This beats the FBI files used by Clintoon and the Hildebeast. This is treason! The traitors will straighten up and fly right or retire to spend more time with their family, who they hate! We might even see the drilling in Alaska approved after this!
The original article says non-nuclear attack.
Besure to go to the right of the cartoon to see the faces of who may be next!
General Turgidson: Mr. President, we are rapidly approaching a moment of truth both for ourselves as human beings and for the life of our nation. Now, truth is not always a pleasant thing. But it necessary now to make a choice, to choose between two admittedly regrettable, but nevertheless *distinguishable*, postwar environments: one where you got twenty million people killed, and the other where you got a hundred and fifty million people killed.
President Merkin Muffley: You're talking about mass murder, General, not war!
General Turgidson: Mr. President, I'm not saying we wouldn't get our hair mussed. But I do say no more than ten to twenty million killed, tops. Uh, depending on the breaks.
No, nuclear weapons are considerably more powerful explosives than that.
Gee, Congress kept this secret a whole month? ROFL
Can we sue the Times for a few million? Maybe some treason charges? (We are at war)
It isn't a bad thing to make your enemies think you might be a bit crazy.
Heheheh.
It also occurs to me that we had an earlier leak which was subsequently discounted. That was the leak to Time about the pseudo nuclear threat on NYC.
As soon as it hit the stands, it was explained and discounted. Another two-fer: leak identified and Time with egg on their face.
Despite all the anti-Bush critics here, it is obvious to me that President Bush is very shrewd and very subtle. It is a pleasure to behold.
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