Administration now opposes inspections as part of nuclear treaty

[UpInArms]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2001993671_nukes31.html

WASHINGTON — In a shift of U.S. policy, the Bush administration announced this week that it will oppose provisions for inspections and verification as part of an international treaty that would ban production of nuclear-weapons materials.

For several years the United States and other nations have been pursuing the treaty, which would ban new production by any state of highly enriched uranium and plutonium for weapons. At U.N.-sponsored Conference on Disarmament in Geneva this week, the Bush administration told other nations it still supported a treaty, but not verification.

The planned treaty wouldn't affect existing stockpiles or production for non- weapons purposes, such as energy or medical research. Mainly, it was designed to impose restraints on India, Pakistan and Israel, whose nuclear programs operate outside the reach of Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty inspectors.

Administration officials said they made the decision after concluding such a system would cost too much, require overly intrusive inspections and wouldn't guarantee compliance with the treaty.

Administration officials declined to explain in detail how they believed U.S. security would be harmed by creating a plan to monitor the treaty.

...more...

[soothsayer]

1. regime change! we are CRYING for a regime change here

let's help

[goju]

2. Who are they trying to protect?

Could it be Israel? I dont see any other reason for this, unless its the start of new "policy" for Iran. Maybe if we cant verify what they are doing because of cost, we can bomb them back to the 4th century, to save money???

[starroute]

7. They could be trying to cover their own asses in Pakistan

There's a lot going on in the Pakistani nuclear program that points to enabling and coverup on the part of both Bush administrations. Perhaps there's something they're afraid to have come out.

[clydefrand]

3. I'm firmly convinced that our

so-called leader is a maniac and will stop at nothing to remain in power. He's reserving the "right" to develop his own WMD to unleash on the remainder of his "axis of evil". He's a religious fanatic and will invade anything, any country, any person who stands in his way of spreading the word! Shame on him and shame on the people of this country who are stupid enough to believe his lying mouth.

[Keirsey]

4. shift of U.S. policy

A "shift of U.S. policy"? Sounds like a flip-flop to me.

[salin]

5. so we can go to war in Iraq over mythical nukes

price (human AND dollars) be damned.

But sign (and participate) in an international treaty to prevent the flow/spread of nuke WMDs through inspections (and dismantling of weapons if/when found)... no - costs too much (and they already gave TO the {hq) office).

Of course - this makes it harder to have to be forced through an inspections charade the for the next war for which they have a blind desire but NO PROOF of immenent danger.

With these folks - having MORE MONEY FOR TAX CUTS FOR THE WEALTHY ... ALWAYS seems to TRUMP NATIONAL SECURITY.

[lottie244]

6. This is outrageous!! Just to protect Pakistan, India, and Israel?

OK, then why worry about N. Korea or Iran. Our biased positions in foreign policy ensure that we will be at war for the rest of our lives.

[Occulus]

12. This is Unconstitutional

Treaties are the law of the land, equal to the Constitution. They cannot be unilaterally repealed.

This alone is open grounds for impeachment. Bush* has brazenly broken the law here.

on edit: our Founders were more extreme in this than I had initially remembered. To quote:

Article. VI.

Clause 1: All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.

Clause 2: This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.

[johnfunk]

8. Wouldn't want the world to know...

... that Halliburton parts are showing up in rogue states' nuke programs. Like Poppy said, "Wouldn't be prudent."

[gratuitous]

9. I've heard it said . . .

That people who have something to hide are usually afraid of getting caught. Wasn't that George W. Bush who said that? Was he speaking from personal experience?

[struggle4progress]

10. kick

:kick:

[Kimber Scott]

11. ROFLMAO!

It can't get any more ridiculous.

[Kool Kitty]

13. The new Bush administration policy motto-

Do as we say, NOT as we do. Why are we the only ones that are allowed to have nuclear weapons? We are the only ones to ever use them in combat.

[Judi Lynn]

14. From the lips of their very own Republican god, Ronald Reagan:

"Trust, but verify."

Did any sane person ever DREAM this could REALLY happen in this country?


Bye-bye.

[Tight_rope]

15. See here we go again!..."Bush way or No way"!

[sandnsea]

16. My headache is coming back

Just when you think you've heard it all with these numbnuts...