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Re: The Times
"Suitcase Nukes"
Okay I'll bite, is this suitcase nuke real or conjecture? I am aware that
things have been downsized since Little Boy and Fat Boy, but are talking
about a 10 Kiloton yield viable nuke that weighs less than 300 pounds? I
really would be suprised if it was a walk around with device.
"In science there is only physics; everything else is stamp collecting."
--Ernest Rutherford
Dean Chaney, CHP, IBA (aka High Plains Drifter)
Fairfield, CA
magna1@jps.net
----- Original Message -----
From: "Marco Caceci" <mcaceci@radal.com>
To: "Franz Schoenhofer" <franz.schoenhofer@CHELLO.AT>; "Radsafe (E-mail)"
<radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu>
Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2001 1:08 AM
Subject: RE: The Times
> 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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