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.
1) This article is the opening salvo in the 2002 political campaign from the DNC by their willing allies in the 'mainstream media.'
2) God Bless Dubya. Let him pile those nukes up like cord wood, while at the same time letting our enemies know that, if necessary to perserve our Republic, we'll use them.
3) For a fuller understanding of the comments by Mr. Joseph Cirincione (the putz from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace), Click The Pennsylvania Crier for a primer on the origin of the "Endowment" and it's "work."
If that's the case I have a feeling this will backfire on them just as everything else they have tried lately has.
The Pentagon has lots of different classifications for information. This information appears to have been classified: Leak To The Press But Pretend It's A Big Secret.
That one's been around longer than "Top Secret".
Imal
A critically important report was given to the Congess at large and then is expected by the administration to remain secret?
Its just too funny for anyone to take seriously.
The nuclear weapons are being put to their best use with this information release.
They are a mental deterrent to any wannabe world dictators - except x42, Blair, and that Kofi retard at the UN.
Are things about to go from bad to worst?
Bullfeathers!
Does the author of this article actually believe we had no specific targets during the Cold War? Idiot.
Gotta Nuke Somethin'!
Outside of the usual whining about the USA, the UN will do what it does best, nothing.
This "release" of information will get the governments that support terrorists to think twice about supporting said terrorists. Even the most brutal dictator can figure out that being crispy fried by a nuke is a rotten way to exit.
This display of power is something that needs to be done and thank God we have an adminisrtation willing to use this leverage.
I must be missing something here. I fail to see the good strategy involved in announcing to the world that we have a Nuke Hit List. I can see where some, if not all of these countries would view being on The List as a threat to them.
These countries already KNOW we have nukes and *probably* know that we will use them if provoked.
None of these countries have overtly attacked us but some of the nuttier ones might consider attacking us now that they've been essentially threatened by us. What, are we asking for it?
Take China for example. First we give it MFN status, next we put it at the top of The List? Sounds a little counterproductive.
The Times said the secret report, given to Congress on Jan. 8,
Secret?? Congress Critter leaking around the gills ag'n.
Fraid ah gotta say it, but Bush ought to know better'n tell those folks anything important.
Yah tell a CC & then's they gotta spread it all over the neighborhood. It's in the genes.
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