KURTENBACH: Nuclear Power and the Weapons of War
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2015 5:24 pmNuclear Power and the Weapons of War
August 26, 2015
To the Editor,
Development of nuclear power is, and should be, a concern for all world leaders, particularly political leaders. It is quite obvious that some western leaders are expressing serious concern about plans that Iran is developing a nuclear bomb.
We in the western world may not like the culture, religion or the alleged human rights abuses in Iran. But, it is rather hypocritical to indulge in fear-mongering based on Iran's apparent endeavour to produce a nuclear bomb.
Recently, the Canadian government reported a $350 million nuclear sale to India. The Prime Minister of India suggested the deal would "save the world from global warming and climate change!"
Some of your readers may recall that in the 1970's, Canada traded nuclear energy technology to India, thereby making it possible for that country to produce a nuclear bomb. This then worried the leaders of Pakistan [India's neighbour] that it [Pakistan] would also need nuclear weapons, just in case India decided to attack them!
Thus, Canada has contributed to the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Am I being pessimistic if I quote the cliche, "what goes around, comes around?"
The Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty [NPT] is not being honoured or signed by nuclear states like North Korea, Pakistan, India or Israel.
It is very important for the world's citizens, especially our youth, to remember the real horrors of the use of nuclear weapons, e.g. the nuclear bombs dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 by a democratic country, the USA.
Accidental nuclear meltdowns have also occurred in the U.S. and Japan, resulting in pollution, particularly of water.
The use of nuclear weapons by accident, malicious intent or a terrorist group could result in a major catastrophe on our planet.
Leo Kurtenbach
Saskatoon
Phone: 306 6525129
August 26, 2015
To the Editor,
Development of nuclear power is, and should be, a concern for all world leaders, particularly political leaders. It is quite obvious that some western leaders are expressing serious concern about plans that Iran is developing a nuclear bomb.
We in the western world may not like the culture, religion or the alleged human rights abuses in Iran. But, it is rather hypocritical to indulge in fear-mongering based on Iran's apparent endeavour to produce a nuclear bomb.
Recently, the Canadian government reported a $350 million nuclear sale to India. The Prime Minister of India suggested the deal would "save the world from global warming and climate change!"
Some of your readers may recall that in the 1970's, Canada traded nuclear energy technology to India, thereby making it possible for that country to produce a nuclear bomb. This then worried the leaders of Pakistan [India's neighbour] that it [Pakistan] would also need nuclear weapons, just in case India decided to attack them!
Thus, Canada has contributed to the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Am I being pessimistic if I quote the cliche, "what goes around, comes around?"
The Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty [NPT] is not being honoured or signed by nuclear states like North Korea, Pakistan, India or Israel.
It is very important for the world's citizens, especially our youth, to remember the real horrors of the use of nuclear weapons, e.g. the nuclear bombs dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 by a democratic country, the USA.
Accidental nuclear meltdowns have also occurred in the U.S. and Japan, resulting in pollution, particularly of water.
The use of nuclear weapons by accident, malicious intent or a terrorist group could result in a major catastrophe on our planet.
Leo Kurtenbach
Saskatoon
Phone: 306 6525129