More countries seeking nukes, IAEA warns

[CHIMO]

VIENNA — The head of the UN nuclear agency warned Monday that as many as 30 countries could soon have technology that would let them produce atomic weapons “in a very short time,” joining the nine states known or suspected to have such arms.

Speaking at a conference on tightening controls against nuclear proliferation, Mohamed ElBaradei said more nations are “hedging their bets” by developing technology that is at the core of peaceful nuclear energy programs but could quickly be switched to making weapons.

Dr. ElBaradei, chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency, called them “virtual new weapons states.”

The warning came amid heightened fears that North Korea's nuclear test explosion and Iran's defiance of a UN Security Council demand that it suspend uranium enrichment could spark a new arms race, particularly among Asian and Middle Eastern states that feel threatened.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20061016.wnuke1016/BNStory/Front

Seems like everyone wants a security blanket.

[driver8]

1. These countries want to protect themselves from that "mad man"

Junior.

Who can blame them? He invades countries whenever he feels like it...no reason needed.

Way to go, pissy pants...keeping us safe once again.

[IndianaGreen]

3. Get rid of Bush, and this will get rid of the need to develop nukes

Nukes are the only deterrent to the American Nero.

[toopers]

4. Except that countries were seeking Nukes before Bush . . .

and they will continue to seek nukes after Bush.

[hogwyld]

2. Thanks to *co

We will soon have an uninhabitable, radioactive death sphere where only republicans, ahem, cockroaches will survive.