Thursday February 17, 2005

I've Been Thinking:

We are worried enough about lost nukes from Soviet weapons.

And then the UK comes along and admits that in 2004 there was a numerical mistake and that 30k (66 lbs) of plutonium is unaccounted for.
In 2003, the same annual study showed that 19k (41 lbs) went accounted.

Both of these accounting disturbances at the Sellafield Nuclear Plant were reported as part of the annual study. The British say that this is just an accounting flaw. That it is to be expected. That no actual materials left the facility.
The problem is there is no way of knowing that. We only know that there should have been 30 more kilos of plutonium and that they are not there.

What can you do with 30 kilos of plutonium?
It is enough to make 7 nice size bombs.

This mishap or flaw needs more explanation.
We should find out what is happening.
We must insist that the system of accounting for plutonium is improved.
Immediately.