NCJ Number
58190
Journal
BULLETIN OF THE ATOMIC SCIENTISTS Volume: 31 Issue: 6 Dated: (JUNE 1975) Pages: 28-34
Date Published
1975
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THE MANNER IN WHICH TERRORISTS MAY OBTAIN AND USE NUCLEAR MATERIALS IS DISCUSSED, AND ACTIONS TO REDUCE SUCH DANGERS ARE PROPOSED IN THIS ARTICLE.
Abstract
THERE ARE THREE WAYS FOR TERRORISTS GROUPS TO ACHIEVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON CAPABILITY: (1) STEAL AN ASSEMBLED WEAPON FROM THE STOCKPILE OF ONE OF THE NUCLEAR WEAPON NATIONS, (2) BUY OR RECEIVE AN ASSEMBLED WEAPON, OR (3) CONSTRUCT A NUCLEAR WEAPON FROM MATERIALS BOUGHT OR STOLEN FROM THE NUCLEAR ELECTRIC POWER INDUSTRY. IT IS UNLIKELY THAT TERRORISTS WOULD TURN TO EITHER OF THE FIRST TWO METHODS, STEALING OR BUYING A WEAPON, BECAUSE OF BOTH THE DANGERS INVOLVED IN PENETRATING A U.S. OR FOREIGN MILITARY FACILITY AND THE UNLIKELY PROSPECT OF THE SALE OF WEAPONS BY A NUCLEAR NATION TO TERRORIST GROUPS. HOWEVER, THERE ARE SUFFICIENT DEFICIENCIES, IN NUCLEAR POWER PLANT SAFEGUARDS TO ENABLE TERRORISTS TO DIVERT ENOUGH NUCLEAR MATERIAL TO CONSTRUCT A WEAPON. DESPITE OPTIMISM FROM THE NUCLEAR POWER INDUSTRY, A GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTING OFFICE STUDY NOTED NUMEROUS DEFICIENCES IN NUCLEAR PLANT SECURITY: WEAK PHYSICAL SECURITY, INEFFECTIVE GUARD PATROLS, INEFFECTIVE ALARM SYSTEMS, LACK OF AUTOMATIC DETECTION DEVICES, AND LACK OF AN ACTION PLAN IN THE EVENT OF DIVERSION OF MATERIAL. OTHER FACTORS INCREASING THE DANGERS OF NUCLEAR THEFT INCLUDE THE WIDESPREAD DESSEMINATION OF INFORMATION ON HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE BOMBS, THE INCREASING NUMBERS OF PEOPLE EXPOSED TO NUCLEAR WEAPON PROCESSING THROUGH THEIR EMPLOYMENT IN THE INDUSTRY, AND THE SPREAD OF URBAN TERRORISM. OTHER METHODS THAN THE USE OF NUCLEAR BOMBS BY WHICH TERRORISTS MAY USE NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY INCLUDE RADIATION DISPERSAL DEVICES TO RELEASE RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS INTO THE ATMOSPHERE OR SABOTAGE OF A NUCLEAR POWER PLANT WHICH COULD ALSO CAUSE RADIATION RELEASE. SEVERAL SUGGESTIONS FOR MORE RIGID SAFEGUARDS ARE NOTED, INCLUDING THE NECESSITY OF DEVELOPING A GLOBAL STRATEGY TO HANDLE THE POSSIBILITY OF NUCLEAR THEFT. FINALLY, A PROPOSAL IS DISCUSSED FOR A 1-YEAR MORATORIUM ON THE SALE OF NUCLEAR REACTORS, FUEL, TECHNOLOGY, AND NUCLEAR-RELATED MATERIALS EXCEPT TO NATIONS WHICH SUBMIT ALL THEIR FACILITIES TO THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY SAFEGUARDS. REFERENCE NOTES ARE INCLUDED. (WJR)