Woomera ‘prohibited’ zone to have both uranium mining and weapons testing
The region is synonymous with the testing of long range missiles and rockets during the Cold War and is still used by the military for weapons testing. The Resources Minister Martin Ferguson said that the new recommendation is that the miners and the military would be both operating at some sections of the land on a time share basis.
Australia May Tap Restricted Area of Woomera for Natural Resources [uranium mining] Azomining, By Joel Scanlon, 9 Nov 10, The Woomera weapons testing range in South Australia’s outback will be downsized to allow mining in the region as per a federal government report recommendation. Vast restricted areas of South Australia will be opened up to mining companies including foreign investors if the review is considered favourably. Continue reading
The nuclear industry’s close connection to bombs
The nuclear industry has been boasting in recent years that it is on the verge of a renaissance, with scores of new countries interested in nuclear power as part of an “energy mix” to decrease greenhouse gas emissions ….There’s a security concern associated with that. The nuclear fuel cycle for reactors begins by enriching uranium until it can sustain a nuclear reaction, and it ends with the production of plutonium. Both are processes that create material for bombs. There is a line between nuclear power and nuclear weapons, but it’s thinner than the nuclear industry would want us to believe.
Fissile Material Smuggling and the Nuclear Renaissance, TIME.com, by Eben Harrell , November 8, 2010 There was a very scary story out of Georgia today after two Armenian men pleaded guilty during a secret trial to smuggling highly enriched uranium into the former Soviet state and trying to sell it to an undercover agent posing as a representative of Islamic radicals. Continue reading
Hillary Clinton talks sweet nothings to a tame Australian youth audience
The venue was secret. The audience members were carefully selected. The questions to Hillary Clinton were pre-planned.
Hardly a surprise then that nothing of critical relevance to Australia was discussed. And certainly not a heckler in sight, – heaven forfend! – in this reverential audience.
Sad, isn’t it? As Australia already hosts the world’s biggest secret USA spy base (Pine Gap), we’re about to get another one. You’d think that would be a topic, wouldn’t you? (Well, it will be, today, in top level secret talks with Robert Gates, Clinton, Rudd, Gillard. That, and a lot more.)
But, bear in mind – USA is looking like going broke – so, they gotta sell a lot of military stuff to Australia, India, Asian countries – anyone, really.
It’s not about war, and the danger of naughty China. No, it is about America’s need to be the world’s military police, but mainly, it’s just the money, stupid!
By the way, one little U.S. worry that might be discussed – possible export of U.S nuclear wastes to Australia. Even trickier, now that Europe has decided than nuclear waste is too dangerous to export.
Clinton visit digs Australia more deeply into USA war machine
Reports from the mainstream press reveal the visit is part of the Gillard government’s increasing involvement in the U.S. War machine….A new U.S. Space Warfare Base in West Australia
U.S. war criminals in Oz as Australia boosts its involvement in U.S. war machine | Indymedia Australia, 8 Nov 10, “…… The whole visit and itinerary has been kept secret, supposedly for “security” but more likely to prevent any public protests against U.S. imperialism and the U.S. Australian alliance. On the agenda for the talks include the development of new U.S. bases in Australia, Continue reading
Secret documents may prove guilt of British atomic test program
the papers could be the “smoking gun” that proves military chiefs knew they were sending servicemen to their deaths when they made them watch atomic blasts 50 years ago.
Release of secret documents that could bring justice to nuclear bomb veterans ordered – mirror.co.uk, By Susie Boniface 7/11/2010 A judge has ordered the release of top secret documents that could bring justice to Britain’s nuclear bomb veterans. Continue reading
Australia’s new greatly expanded role in USA military presence
the Australian development is part of a new U.S. strategy to step up its military presence in the Asia-Pacific region
Australia, U.S. agree to major escalation of military co-operation Continue reading
France selling nuclear technology to China
“We have decided to work without limits on a strategic collaboration in the nuclear domain that will go much farther on the full spectrum of nuclear activity,” Sarkozy said in a speech after a deal-signing ceremony in the presidential palace.
France, China to form nuclear power partnership | Reuters -Areva signs three deals with China, eyes EPR sale China signs $20 bln of business contracts in France PARIS, Nov 4 – Continue reading
Clinton to Australia to sell spy base and military stuff
Australia’s defence planning continues to promote the interoperability of its forces with those of the US, in part through provision of secure bases such as the new tracking station but also through equipment purchases.
An alliance still in the national interests, The Age,November 6, 2010 “…The US is also concerned by China’s increasing military might, which includes a capability for satellite warfare in space. One response to that capability is a satellite tracking station being built on Australian territory. Continue reading
Obama to India, with 200 nuclear salesmen!
Over 200 US corporate chiefs are accompanying Mr Obama, including Jeffrey Inmelt of GE, seeking to sell to India civil nuclear equipment worth billions of dollars.
US trade drive in India includes arms and civil nuclear material – The Irish Times – Nov 06, 2010, RAHUL BEDI in New Delhi US PRESIDENT Barack Obama arrives in India today on a three-day official trip that promises to be high on ceremony and sentiment but somewhat low on tangible “deliverables”…. Continue reading
BUSTING THE NUCLEAR SPIN – theme for November
The nuclear industry is, in reality, in quite a mess. As French, American, South Korean companies scramble to sell nuclear power to the “Third World” – the industry stalls at home. The nuclear emperor’s new clothes are starting to be revealed to the world.
So – loads of money pour into this desperate sales pitch – while it becomes ever clearer that the nuclear industry is expensive, dangerous, and produces long-lasting toxic wastes – for which there is no storage solution.
Meanwhile – technologies for energy efficiency, and renewable energy get cheaper and more practical. And – renewable energy can be operated both as large scale projects on the grid – or as small-scale decentralised forms – very suitable for developing countries.
Australia should stop supplying uranium to nuclear weapons States
Greens: Australia Should Oppose Nuclear Weapons at United Nations (UN), Mathaba, 3 Nov 10, Australia produces the uranium used for Israeli, British and United States nuclear weapons, so a good place to start would be a ban on providing those nuclear states with any supplies. Continue reading
No gain, only harm, in Australia selling uranium to India
uranium sales to India would do very little to expand Australia’s export revenue − which helps explain why the Australian Uranium Association supports the government’s policy of prohibiting uranium sales to countries that have not signed the NPT.
Selling uranium to India will do great damage, with little gain to Australia, The Age, Richard Broinowski, November 1, 2010 “…..India made no concessions whatsoever during the US-India deal − no commitment to curb its escalating nuclear weapons program, no commitment to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, no commitment to stop producing fissile material for weapons. Continue reading
Clinton and Gates to Australia for Space War project in W.A.
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates is poised to announce the base when he visits Australia next week with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton,….The facility will play a major role in an emerging Cold War in space.
WA joins space race, The Age, October 30, 2010 – Australia will become a key partner in the international battle for space supremacy, Continue reading
South Australia’s Labor govt set to fail Aboriginal Maralinga victims’ quest for justice
Maralinga victims denied legal help, MELISSA MACK,
Oct 29, 2010, ABORIGINAL victims of nuclear testing in the 1950s are likely to be denied the chance of claiming millions of dollars in compensation, with the state Government refusing to help fund the legal case. Continue reading
USA elections: will this lead to Sarah Palin in charge of nuclear weapons?
It is almost beyond belief to imagine the fair finger of Sarah Palin accessing the nuclear button but as Commander in Chief, that would indeed be her position.
THE ELECTION, Huffington Post. Helen Caldicott, 28 Oct 10, This is seen by many as a highly contentious mid-term US election, and not just for the people of the United States. Continue reading
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