Re: Ex-Arms Inspector Butler: US Threatens NPT With New Nuclear Doctrine

["David Quarter" <davidquarter@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

From:   Rick Rozoff

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s932149.htm

Australian Broadcasting Company
August 26, 2003

US abandoning 'defence posture': Butler


Newly-appointed Tasmanian governor and former weapons
inspector Richard Butler says the US administration
believes it can operate outside the rules when it
comes to weapons of mass destruction because it is the
world's only superpower.

Mr Butler is to discuss Australia's foreign policy and
its relations with the United States following the
recent Iraq conflict, at a lecture in Newcastle
tonight.

Mr Butler says the United States is currently
developing small portable nuclear weapons to use on
the battlefield.

"That represents the abandonment of almost half a
century of purely defence posture," he said.

"It also represents a departure from the obligation
the US has on the non proliferation treaty, which they
say should progressively reduce nuclear weapons,
certainly not make new ones.

"So if this goes ahead the treaty process will be
threatened."