RE: The Times

["Marco Caceci" <mcaceci@radal.com>]

Dear Franz and Radsafers:



IMHO, the Times article is surprisingly well documented and unbiased, when compared to most that is published nowadays.



Mr Laden's link to 'missing' suitcase nukes was claimed as long ago as 1999 on the Jerusalem Post (as posted on RADSAFE) and was

reported again by CNN TV a day or two ago: 'experts' reported that Mr Lebed reported 85 to 125 'demolition' gadgets were missing.



The same CNN story reported (among other rumors) the finding of a Cs137 source in in Moscow waste basket and showed a cheap gamma

meter going off-scale.



Certainly those who know do not talk. Since I do not know, let me talk:

I find it hard to believe that nuclear weapons, anywhere, might have been lost, stolen, or sold to non-state terrorists.

I find it quite possible that cheap gamma sources may have fallen in the wrong hands: they are (were) not much more difficult to

secure than anthrax spores.



Maybe a year ago the Japanese PM received a 'radioactive' letter: it contained, I was told, natU.



I agree that there is a great potential for hysteria here. We should be prepared. Unlike bacilli, gamma sources are easy to find.



Marco Caceci

http://radal.com



> >This is an article mainly on Mr Laden's involvement with radioactive

> matters

> >

> > http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,2001350022-2001365997,00.html

> >

> >TUESDAY OCTOBER 23 2001

> >

> >Reportage

> >

> >Apocalypse now?

> >

> >BY GILES WHITTELL

> >

> >Dozens of Russia's nuclear weapons are missing. There is clear evidence

> that Osama bin Laden's agents have been scouring the world

> >to buy or steal such devices in order to attack the West. Our correspondent

> investigates how near they may be to succeeding.

> >............

>

>

> This is another confirmation that the "good reputation" of a newspaper is no

> guarantee, that the contributions make sense. I did not know, that dozens of

> Russias nuclear weapons were missing - where did they get the information

> from? Can the correspondent show a certificate from Russian authorities, how

> many nuclear bombs are missing? How about the other states of the former

> Sovjetunion? No bombs missing in the Ukraine, in Bjelorussia, in Kasachstan?

> I cannot believe this! How has it been verified that "Osama bin Ladens

> agents wanted to buy or steal such devices" - have they shown identification

> and a written confirmation from Mr. Bin Laden, that they were acting on

> behalf of him and that they wanted to buy or steal the weapons in order to

> attack the world? Obviously, otherwise it would not have been stated in such

> a "reputated paper"?

>

> >....

> >.

> >Thought it might be relevant.

> >

> >I am surprised at limited concern in the US for radiological 'acts': if the

> Chechens hid a Cs package in a Moscow waste basket and

> >called the police, they certainly have more

>

>

> I do not know about such an incident. What was hidden? How much Cs - I

> suppose Cs-137. If it had been elemental Cs is might really have been

> dangerous, because this would react violently with water and produce a fire.

> Cs-137 sources are very abundant, they are frequently melted down in steel

> or aluminium works - no problem to get hold of them - but a nuclear weapon?

> Together with all the necessary instrumentation, codes, delivery problems

> etc. to let them explode? I do not think, that there is limited concern in

> the USA, just the opposite and I think this became obvious when reading

> RADSAFE contributions during the last week.

>

> I am waiting for the time, when all this hysteria will vanish!

>

> Franz



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