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US pledges to reduce plutonium weapons stockpiles
Vienna (AFP) Sept 17, 2007 The United States is removing nine tonnes of plutonium, enough to make over 1,000 nuclear weapons, from its weapons stockpiles in a nonproliferation effort, US Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman said Monday. But the plutonium, which is currently a bomb component, will sit for a while before being converted into nuclear reactor fuel, as it "will be removed in the coming decades from retired, dismantled weapons," a statement said. In 2004, US President George W. Bush had "directed that the size of the US nuclear weapons stockpile be reduced by almost half from its size in 2001 when he entered office," according to the statement. The retiring of the plutonium is part of that effort. Bodman had already announced in 2005 that the United States was removing from use as fissile material up to 200 tonnes of highly enriched uranium from retired nuclear warheads, adding to 170 tonnes declared surplus during the Clinton administration. Russia has promised to eliminate 500 tonnes of highly enriched uranium from its nuclear weapons stockpiles. Highly enriched uranium and plutonium are the two main materials for making the explosive core of atom bombs. They can be converted into reactor fuel or disposed of as long-term waste. "The United States is leading by example and furthering our commitment to nonproliferation and the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty by safely reducing the amount of weapons-usable nuclear material in the world," Bodman told a meeting of the UN watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). "As the United States continues to reduce the size of its nuclear weapons stockpile, we will be able to dispose of even more nuclear material while increasing energy and national security," Bodman said. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com All about missiles at SpaceWar.com Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com
'War' talk heightens Iran nuclear dispute
Paris (AFP) Sept 17, 2007France followed up a warning that the Iran nuclear crisis could lead to war by calling on Monday for European sanctions against Tehran. |
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