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In Greater Danger of Nuclear Extinction by
Larry Ross, Secretary, NZ Nuclear-Free Peacemaking Assn.,
May 2002 The
Listener Dear
Sir We
have never been in greater danger of nuclear extinction according to the
famous anti-nuclear campaigner, Helen Caldicott, speaking in Auckland
on May 27. That is because the 9/11 tragedy has facilitated the extreme
right-wing reactions of the Bush Administration. I
speak of the so-called Nuclear Posture Review, which allows for nuclear
targeting of seven states, five of which have no nuclear weapons.
Also,
the “axis of evil” of the Bush Administration that accuses North Korea,
Iraq and Iran as being a dire threat to the US. So the Bush Administration
is using this to develop what many think is a useless defence – an anti-missile
defence system (NMD). Also, the US defence budget is now about $400
billion and will likely climb to $500 billion in the next year – more
than all other nations put together. On
the other hand the terrorist threat is real and growing due to the policies
of Israel supported by the US as well as other US policies. There have
been repeated warnings that terrorists might sneak nuclear weapons into
the US, or attack some of the 103 “sitting duck” nuclear reactors in the
US, turning them into weapons as they turned the airliners into weapons. The devastation could dwarf Chernobyl. The
reactions would be extreme, perhaps enough to setting off reactions among
some of the other seven nuclear states.
One must remember that the US public is pliant with a generally
pliant media and congress ready to accept whatever comes out of the Bush
Administration. With about 70% public support, Bush ia able
to do what he wants. The US has either withdrawn or signalled disapproval
of many important international treaties, such as the Anti-Ballistic Missile
Treaty. It
indicates that it may start testing again soon. These actions and the
threats to other nations implied in the Nuclear Posture Review will certainly
spark off a number of arms races. Nations will struggle to try and defend themselves. During
the next crisis, the government will be pressured to rescind the nuclear-
free law and again welcome the nuclear warships of our “very, very, very
close friends”. Whatever horrific
tragedy may again envelop the US, our media will likely argue that we
must give the US total support. Our
already semi-condition public are likely to agree to scrapping the nuclear-free
law. That will allow the resurrection of the nuclear ANZUS treaty and
New Zealand’s entry into future wars against those the US deems to be
enemies. This
is perhaps a worst case scenario of things to come. However, given the
present climate and direction, it could easily happen.Thus we should vigourously support Helen Clark’s defence of the role of
New Zealand as an independent peacemaker in favour of trying terrorist
criminals in the international Court and lead the World in an aid strategy
to areas that now produce most of the terrorists. As
a peacemaker, New Zealand can propose methods of reducing terrorism and
solve disputes that do not involve going to war.
It’s a long shot, but perhaps our “very, very, very close friends”
will at least listen to us. Secretary
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