53% of Russian nukes not safely secured
Pastor Dale Morgan
53% of Russian nukes not safely secured*
Experts fear terrorists will gain access to weapon stockpiles
Posted: April 7, 2007
Russian experts are expressing renewed alarm over the safety of the
country's nuclear stockpiles, fearing terrorists will have no trouble
gaining access.
"Only 47 percent of them are secured in a safe manner," according to
Victor Mizin, a former high-ranking Russian diplomat.
That means bout 300 tons of radioactive materials need modernized
physical security, especially now, when global terrorists such as
al-Qaida are striving to obtain access.
"If any of the terrorist groups will decide to obtain Russian nuclear
materials for the purpose of making dirty bombs, they would be able to
accomplish their goal relatively easy," Mizin said.
A dirty bomb combines radioactive materials – waste from hospitals and
laboratories as well as spent nuclear fuel – with conventional
explosives to spread radioactive contamination over a wide area.
Al-Qaida not only is believed to be seeking such materials but is
assessed to be capable of making dirty bomb devices.
During the Soviet era, there were tens of thousands of nuclear warheads
produced. While many have been dismantled, some 18,000 remain, said to
be housed at more than three dozen Russian installations. However, many
are watched by ill-trained and under-paid guards.