23 September 2004
A. writes:
It seems that a large shipment of weapons grade plutonium is currently out on the Atlantic somewhere between Charleston, SC, and Cherbourg, France. The materiel traveled overland from New Mexico in casks [think Nevada docs posted previously on Cryptome] and then loaded onto two British nuclear transport vessels. These departed Monday from Charleston for the two week journey to Cherbourg, amidst criticism of security measures.
This article specifically mentions the possibility of an RPG attack:
http://us.oneworld.net/article/view/92839/1/?PrintableVersion=enabled
Mentions the departure date:
http://www.ems.org/nws/2004/09/20/bush_administrat
More specific naming of those involved:
http://www.sundayherald.com/44923
Transport Vessels: Pacific Teal, Pacific Pintail
Owners: British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL)
http://www.bnfl.com
Destination: fuel fabrication plant in Cadarache, FR owned by Cogema
http://www.cogema.fr
[English version available]
Cogema head of transport: Henry-Jacques Neau
US National Nuclear Security Administration representative: Bryan Wilkes
" 'It will proceed just fine with no safety or security problems,' said Bryan
Wilkes, a spokesman for the US National Nuclear Security Administration.
He says he cannot describe the security measures that are being taken, but
he is confident that they will be sufficient. He accuses opponents of the
shipment of helping terrorists by publicising the planned route and
timings."
More 'security by obscurity' from Bryan Wilkes and Henry-Jacques Neau:
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99996424
Same story, additional details:
http://www.xposed.com/headline_news/52_ds_1004793.aspx
Nuclear Regulatory Commission's ruling on a petitioned request for a public hearing regarding the Department of Energy's license application:
http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/commission/orders/2004/2004-17cli.html
"V. CONCLUSION AND ISSUANCE OF THE LICENSE
For the reasons stated above, we find that (1) Petitioners have not demonstrated standing; (2) a hearing in this matter would not be in the public interest and assist us in making the statutory determinations; and (3) Petitioners' substantive arguments are without merit. Accordingly, Petitioners' petition to intervene and request for hearing is denied.
The Commission has determined that the export licensing criteria set forth in Section 127 of the AEA have been met and that issuance of this license would not be inimical to the common defense and security of the United States or constitute an unreasonable risk to the health and safety of the public. Accordingly, we deny Petitioners' request for waiver of the regulations and direct the Office of International Programs to issue license XSNM03327 to the Department of Energy for the export of up to 140 kg of plutonium oxide.
IT IS SO ORDERED."