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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)


May 2003 - United States Special Weapons News

  • Lockheed Martin Learns that Justice Department to Partially Intervene in Two Qui Tam Lawsuits Lockheed Martin 30 May 2003 -- Lockheed Martin Corp. learned today that the Department of Justice elected to partially intervene in two qui tam lawsuits filed in the U.S. District Court in Paducah, Ky. These suits relate to alleged environmental management concerns at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant during the period when the corporation managed the facility. We regret that the Department of Justice has decided to join in these lawsuits. We strongly believe that the allegations are without merit. We will vigorously defend these lawsuits and the facts of these cases will prove that Lockheed Martin was not involved in any wrongdoing. As previously reported in the corporation's Form 10-Q on March 19, 2003, the Department of Justice advised Lockheed Martin that a criminal federal grand jury investigation into whether hazardous waste was properly stored and handled at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant was closed. Today's decision by the Department of Justice to intervene involves a civil proceeding and does not involve any criminal allegations.
  • The debate over new nuclear weapons VOA 29 May 2003 -- Last week, as part of its debate on the 2004 defense budget, Congress freed the US Government to pursue research on new nuclear weapons. Opponents say the provocative move puts the United States on a path to develop and eventually use nuclear weapons again. Proponents of repealing the ban say America has no other choice if it wants to protect itself.
  • U.S. decision to repeal "law banning smaller nukes" under fire KCNA 28 May 2003 -- The U.S. Senate recently decided to repeal the "law banning smaller nukes" that was adopted and took effect in l993, according to a news report. In accordance with this decision, the U.S. Department of Defense was tasked to work out a plan to develop, manufacture and use smaller nukes such as underground-penetrating smaller nukes and start full-scale research into them.
  • Congress Agrees To Let Pentagon Study Low-Yield Nuclear Weapons Washington File 23 May 2003 -- The U.S. Congress passed the $400.5 billion fiscal 2004 defense authorization bill that includes a provision authorizing research on two new types of nuclear weapons -- small, low-yield nuclear weapons of less than 5 kilotons, and earth-penetrating nuclear bombs that could destroy underground enemy facilities.
  • CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL DEFENSE ANNUAL REPORT RELEASED 22 May 2003 -- The Department of Defense announced today that it has released and published its annual report on chemical and biological defense capabilities
  • CONGRESS NUCLEAR VOA 21 May 2003 -- The U-S Senate and House of Representatives are expected to pass a bill Thursday authorizing 400 billion dollars for defense spending.
  • U.S.: Pentagon Wants To Study Feasibility Of Battlefield 'Mini Nukes' RFE/L 21 May 2003 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says he wants to study the feasibility of small, "low-yield" nuclear weapons. The idea is that they may be useful in destroying chemical and biological agents like anthrax. Rumsfeld is stressing that the administration only wants to research, not develop, these weapons. But what exactly is a "mini nuke," and what are the risks of even pushing for their study?
  • CONGRESS NUCLEAR VOA 20 May 2003 -- The Republican-led Senate, over objections by Democrats, has voted to end a decade-old ban on research and development of low-yield nuclear weapons.
  • Lockheed Martin Awarded Strategic War Planning Contract Lockheed Martin 20 May 2003 -- Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $1.1 million Phase 1 contract to for the U.S. Strategic Command's (USSTRATCOM) Strategic War Planning System Modernization (SWPS-M). SWPS-M is a broad effort to enhance strategic warfighting from operational concept development through planning and execution.
  • Transcript: DoD News Briefing - Secretary Rumsfeld and Gen. Myers 20 May 2003 -- "The only thing we've done that I know of is that we have proposed that the absolute ban on the study of a deep-earth penetrator has been removed from the bill at our instance, because we do intend to study a variety of types of deep earth penetrators, for very good reason. (...) That's why we want to study it. And we're kind of inclined to think that the idea that we should not be allowed to study such a weapon is not a good idea. We think it -- for one thing, I -- and then I'll ask Dick to comment on the possible use against, for example, chemical or biological storage areas, where a conventional weapon could have a disastrous effect and a low-yield nuclear weapon conceivably could have an effect that would be -- that would mitigate some of the problems with a conventional weapon. But the -- it's important to appreciate that to the extent the United States is prohibited from studying the use of such weapons -- for example, for a deep earth penetrator -- the effect in the world is that it tells the world that they're wise to invest in going underground. And that's not a good thing, from our standpoint"
  • B-52 undergoes worldwide testing AFPN 20 May 2003-- The B-52H Avionics Midlife Improvement project recently completed two missions to test new hardware and software upgrades in extreme conditions around the world.
  • Moscow Treaty Demonstrates U.S.-Russian Cooperation Washington File 14 May 2003 -- Ratification of the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty, also known as the "Moscow Treaty," reduces overall levels of U.S. and Russian nuclear weapons, but "more importantly I think, it shows how the United States and the Russian Federation can work together on areas of mutual interest," Secretary of State Colin Powell said in Moscow May 14 after hearing the news that the Russian State Duma had just voted to ratify the treaty.
  • Putin, Powell Welcome Ratification of Moscow Treaty Washington File 14 May 2003 -- Secretary of State Colin Powell expressed a "deep sense of satisfaction" to be in Moscow May 14 on the day the Russian State Duma ratified the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty, also known as the "Moscow Treaty." The U.S. Senate unanimously approved the treaty March 6.
  • U.S. Envoy to Russia Speaks Out on Terrorism, Non-Proliferation Washington File 12 May 2003 -- While the tools for dealing with terrorism are well understood and working, those for countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) are not, U.S. Ambassador to Russia Alexander Vershbow said in Moscow May 12.
  • Semmel Stresses Importance of Safeguards to NPT Lifespan Washington File 06 May 2003 -- Weak safeguards "could undermine the security and economic benefits" of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), says U.S. State Department official Andrew Semmel, thereby leading "to its erosion and demise."
  • Moscow Treaty Cuts Top List of U.S. Non-Proliferation Treaty Support Washington File 05 May 2003 -- The U.S. Mission in Geneva has issued the following May 5 fact sheet on U.S. policies and its actions in support of Article VI of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
  • U.S. Official Points To Progress On Nuclear Disarmament Washington File 05 May 2003 -- The United States has made "considerable progress" toward nuclear disarmament as articulated in Article VI of the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), a State Department official said in Geneva May 1.
  • Semmel Underlines Importance of Adhering to NPT Obligations Washington File 05 May 2003 -- The United States encourages all parties to the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) "to avoid nuclear cooperation with countries whose actions call into question their NPT commitments," says a U.S. State Department official, "and to underscore the absolute importance of their adherence to their Treaty obligations."
  • Semmel: Strengthen Non-Poliferation Treaty Enforcement Measures Washington File 05 May 2003 -- A U.S. representative to a preparatory meeting in advance of the 2005 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference called on all nations to refocus on the growing need for oversight and control of nuclear material and technology.
  • U.S. Says Nuclear Disarmament Goal Still Requires Gradual Approach Washington File 05 May 2003 -- The United States supports --- unambiguously --- Article VI of the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the goal of nuclear disarmament, according to a May 1 information paper distributed by the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in Geneva.
  • Will U.S. Victory In Iraq Persuade 'Rogue Regimes' To Change Their Behavior? RFE/L 05 May 2003 -- U.S. President George W. Bush recently declared victory in Iraq. Will America's overwhelming display of military might and resolve in Iraq now pressure other "rogue regimes" to change their ways in order not to be Washington's next target?
  • Controversial Production Of Plutonium Pits Restarted RFE/L 01 May 2003 -- The United States Department of Energy recently announced that it has restarted production of plutonium pits -- a key component in nuclear weapons -- for the first time in 14 years. Critics say the move could trigger a new arms race and contravenes U.S. commitments to de-emphasize reliance on nuclear weapons. Supporters say keeping America's nuclear weapons stockpile in mint condition is the only way to guarantee security.
  • NUCLEAR FUTURE VOA 01 May 2003 -- A Nobel laureate and former nuclear scientist is expressing concern that a new nuclear-arms race may soon be under way. Joseph Rotblat received an award for his work in the fields of science, peace, and health.



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