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PRESS RELEASE
6 November 2003
AWE
Aldermaston: a new generation of nuclear weapons
Proposals for
the first stage of the new developments at AWE Aldermaston were
made public today, as the Ministry of Defence submitted its plans
for a proposed laser facility at the nuclear weapons establishment(1).
Aldermaston Women's Peace Camp called for the government to come
clean on the new developments and to tell the public if they have
already decided to proceed with the next generation of nuclear weapons.
The proposed
high-powered laser will enable AWE to replicate the conditions of
a nuclear explosion, and enable the construction of predictive models
for nuclear explosions.
The new laser is the first stage of a massive development plan,
thought to equip AWE Aldermaston to produce a new generation of
nuclear weapons, which - if developed - would violate the international
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
AWE claim that
this new development is necessary for the current Trident programme.
However, combined with proposals for a new hydrodynamics facility,
a supercomputer and other testing facilities, and the recruitment
of over 80 new scientific posts, observers believe that AWE is equipping
itself to produce a new generation of nuclear weapons.
Plans for new
weapons systems are already underway in the USA - and regular interchanges
of staff between US and UK nuclear establishments, including Aldermaston,
suggest that where the US leads, the UK follows.
Links between
UK and US nuclear proliferation were strengthened earlier this week,
when The Independent on Sunday revealed that British Nuclear Fuels
(BNFL) - one of the three companies currently running AWE Aldermaston
- is lobbying for the contract to build parts for the US 's own
new generation of "battlefield" nuclear weapons (2)
The proposal
for the new building to house the laser has been submitted to West
Berkshire Council under Circular 18/84 of the Town and Country Planning
Act. Unlike other planning applications, the council cannot reject
this Notice of Proposed Development - but it can refer it to the
Secretary of State who may open a public inquiry.
Aldermaston
Women's Peace Campaign are calling for a public inquiry, not merely
into this application, but into the whole package of proposals outlined
in AWE's Site Development Strategy Plan (3).
Aldermaston
Women's Peace Camp: 07887 802879 : www.aldermaston.net
Notes:
1. West Berkshire County Council planning applications, http://ww2.westberks.gov.uk/_dbpages/planapps/xapp_details.asp?CaseNo=0302313FUL&propno=HNH3UCRD920002.
BNFL to help US build nuclear arms, The Independent on Sunday,
2 November 2003.
3. Published August 2002, Updated October 2003
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