Eisenhower...oops "Atoms for Peace"
FYI,
The person (administration) to blame is Eisenhower (Einstein and other advisors to his administration). Check out the Atoms for Peace and Project Plowshares. Both if you are unaware of them will literally blow your mind. Bottom line the intent was to de-militarize nuclear technology so that fissionable materials would be consumed by the production of energy and or used for peaceful construction projects. Hindsight--a major set back to anti-proliferation.
Check out these sites for summaries:
http://www.bookrags.com/Atoms_for_Peace
www.iaea.org/About/history_speech.html
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atoms_for_Peace
That new language is the language of atomic warfare
Hey Troufion !
A great link. Never knew this bravo sierra was soooo old !
Wonder if Eisenhower ever hung out with Mobutu :eek:
Now that would be bad magic even today !
Quote:
one cannot ignore the fact that the Atoms for Peace program also accelerated nuclear proliferation by making it easier for some states to pursue their nuclear weapons ambitions. Although it may be more obvious today than in 1953, the fundamental dilemma remains unchanged—how can a policy prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons capabilities while at the same time promoting the benefits of nuclear energy if the basic raw materials and technology for both are essentially the same?
Will They? Won't They? Should They?
Congo keeps uranium riches under wraps
Quote:
Democratic Republic of Congo has flirted with reviving its once-great uranium mining sector, but insists that for now it will keep its radioactive treasure trove underground for future generations to reap the profits.
Speculation has mounted that Congo would also relaunch commercial uranium mining, fuelled by a 'will they? won't they?' courtship with London-listed Brinkley Mining Plc over a joint venture with Congo's atomic energy agency to explore, mine, and export uranium under an exclusive contract.
Brinkley signed a memorandum with Congo's Ministry of Scientific Research in early 2007 but the deal was rejected by a new post-election government in March.
As Congo casts around for funds to rebuild its ruined infrastructure -- including a $5 billion loan from China to be repaid partly with mineral rights -- some see using untapped uranium reserves as essential.
"Given the current price of uranium and the country's needs, I think it is a necessity," said CGEA head Francois Lubala Toto.