FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE : Friday, February 28, 2003
feinstein.senate.gov
Senators Feinstein asks Secretary Abraham to Describe Plans for Research and Development of ‘Low-Yield’ Nuclear Weapons
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today called upon Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham to detail Bush Administration plans for research and development of low-yield nuclear weapons. These weapons are nuclear devices, generally considered around one kiloton or less, which some have suggested could be used to destroy underground bunkers or stocks of chemical or biological weapons.
In a letter to Secretary Abraham, Senator Feinstein wrote: "I am writing to follow up on the comments you made to the Senate Energy Committee this week on the development of so-called ‘low-yield’ nuclear weapons. At the Energy Committee hearing, I asked you whether Secretary Rumsfeld had been quoted correctly in the Washington Post on February 20, 2003, when he said that the Bush Administration had no plans to develop new low-yield nuclear weapons.
You said yes he was quoted correctly, and that the Administration is only studying adaptations of existing weapons. Yet the Nuclear Posture Review released in January 2002 by the Pentagon leads me to believe otherwise. That document states that ‘new capabilities must be developed to defeat emerging threats.... Development of these capabilities, to include extensive research and timely fielding of new systems to address these challenges, are imperative....’ (emphasis added)
Although Secretary Rumsfeld may be narrowly correct when he said to the Washington Post ‘I don’t believe there is anything currently underway by way of developing new nuclear weapons,’ the Nuclear Posture Review states differently. And, as the minutes of the January 10, 2003 Stockpile Stewardship Conference Planning Meeting indicate, requirements for low-yield weapons’ were put on the agenda. According to the minutes, in August the Future Arsenal Panel plans to discuss computer modeling for new nuclear devices, and what sort of testing, if any, will be required.
There is no question that in the post-9/11 era a full range of policy options for dealing with new and uncertain contingencies should be on the table. But I am concerned about the appearance of the United States seeking to develop nuclear weapons which blur the distinction between conventional and nuclear forces. How can we effectively seek to dissuade others from developing nuclear weapons while we are going forward with the development of new nuclear weapons ourselves?
To clarify this matter, I ask that you describe to me exactly the research currently underway or in development and precisely detail any plans the Bush Administration has to develop to low-yield or other new capabilities, systems, and / or nuclear weapons."
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