Just another Reality-based bubble in the foam of the multiverse.

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Nuclear Dodge Behind a Mushroom Smokescreen

Reptilican and DINOcrat pork-munching Congresscritters always seem the last to know.

It's recently come out that the Pakistanis are using their Khushab reactor site as a technological base for another series of nuclear weapons grade reactors.

The Bu$hCo-Cheneyburton company's known about it for awhile, and it's recently disturbed our Representatives to find out that those perfidous Chinese are helping both Paks' and Indians sides'- and nobody's told them.

...The reactor, which reportedly will be capable of producing enough plutonium for as many as 50 bombs each year, was brought to light on Sunday by independent analysts who spotted the partially completed plant in commercial-satellite photos. Snow said the administration had "known of these plans for some time."

The acknowledgment came as arms-control experts and some in Congress expressed alarm about a possible escalation of South Asia's arms race. Some also sharply criticized the administration for failing to disclose the existence of a facility that could influence an upcoming congressional debate over U.S. nuclear policy toward India and Pakistan...


Our Congress at work, especially in a $election year.

But these kinds of reports about China 's actions have been floating around government think tanks awhile.

It's not like the data's been hidden for anyone paying attention or even capable of using a search engine. How do you suppose those of us outside the beltway find out about these things? Or the fact that the "American" corporation Westinghouse is one of the companies selling the plutonium breeder reactor technology to China that gets sent to their client warlords strategic allies who incidently happen to not like each other?

You don't just have to look in Asian sources. You don't need a better CIA to find these things out. Just open up the business section of your own newspapers.

... Areva and Westinghouse were thrilled when China opted for their type of pressurized water reactors in the current contract bidding. In doing so, the Chinese ruled out rival technology such as GE's boiling water reactors and the heavy water plants sold by Atomic Energy of Canada, two of which are already operating in China. GE and AEC say they hope to win over the Chinese in future plant orders. "We have been asking if we can bid, but unfortunately they want pressurized water reactors," says Andy White, president & CEO of GE Energy's Wilmington (N.C.)-based nuclear business. "China should move to a two-technology model, like other countries."

Yet Beijing is extracting a hefty concession from the bidders by insisting on massive transfers of nuclear knowhow to local partners. Both Areva and Westinghouse have committed to sharing their technology with the Chinese to clinch deals. China is following a well-worn path: Japan, South Korea, and even France used technology provided by GE and Westinghouse to build their own nuclear industries. "If they are interested in becoming totally self-sufficient, we will help them do so," says CEO Tritch. "We are always inventing better technology." The pressurized water reactor Westinghouse wants to sell to China is its new AP1000, which the company advertises as much safer than the 1970s-era reactors that dominate in China and elsewhere.


Self-sufficiency has good resale value.

American free enterprise is seeding nuclear designs all over the world with our government's help.

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