US calls on Pakistan not to use new nuclear reactor for bombs

[tocqueville]

54 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States urged Pakistan not to use a powerful new atomic reactor under construction to bolster its nuclear weapons capability amid warnings of a new South Asia arms race.

The US administration confirmed it knew about the reactor at Pakistan's Khushab nuclear complex after satellite images were released by a US nuclear non-proliferation group.

The International Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) said the heavy water reactor could produce more than 200 kilogrammes (440 pounds) of weapons grade plutonium a year. This would be enough to make 40-50 nuclear weapons every year.

Pakistan is believed to currently have 30-50 uranium warheads in all, "which tend to be heavier and more difficult than plutonium warheads to mount on missiles," the Washington Post reported Monday.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060724/pl_afp/uspakistannuclear_060724220439

[bronxiteforever]

1. i heard this on npr this am

to be the best friend of the USA just build a bomb-make that 40-50 bombs-Pakistan the real ISLAM bomb-where is plato retreat bolton to call for a UN security counsel meeting?

[Poll_Blind]

2. Pakistan to U.S.: What are you going to do about it, eh? n/t

PB

[cliss]

3. Our biggest enemies -

1) Pakistan


2) Saudi Arabia


In that order.

[uppityperson]

4. I am sure that asking them to not do this will work.

after all, um, yeah.

[eppur_se_muova]

5. Don't worry, we won't! *mmmff* *snicker* nt

[Warren Stupidity]

6. That's a hoot.

The ** cabal is pushing a deal with Pakistan's rival India which will enable India to speed up their production of nukes. I think the Pakistanis are rather unlikely to pay much attention to this latest flatulence from the white house.

[leftofthedial]

7. why aren't we threatening invasion?

:shrug:

I guess there are good wogs and bad wogs