‘Enormous risk’

Press, 9 November 1983, Page 1

‘Enormous risk’

PA Wellington A group of scientists has warned a Parliamentary select committee that visits by nuclear-powered and armed warships pose a risk of; accidents of enormous consequence.

The group said yesterday that there was incomplete public information and inadequate appraisal of the hazard. .

Scientists Against Nuclear Arms partially supported a Social Credit bill being studied by the Arms Control and Disarmament Select Committee.

The bill would prohibit entry into New Zealand water of any nuclearpowered vessel or any ship or aircraft carrying nuclear weapons.

Professor Robert White also said that the A.N.Z.U.S. treaty made New Zealand subservient to the strategic nuclear designs of the United States, and exposed the country to the threat from which the treaty was supposed to offer protection. New Zealand, he said, should pursue vigorously the establishment of a nuclearfree zone in the South Pacific. It should also establish itself as ah independent non-aligned country in the disarmament debate, he said. Professor White said the military capability of different vessels was well known, although no substantive information about nuclear weapons on board

vessels was released' officially. “Informed unofficial sources confirm that special unloading of nuclear weapons from vessels which ordinarily carry them does not occur prior to local visits,” he said.

“For instance, it may be assumed that the U.S.S. Texas was carrying nuclear depth charges when it visited Auckland and Wellington in August. “American submarines which have visited New Zealand ports are also nuclear-armed, as is H.M.S. Invincible, which is soon expected in New Zealand. “The presence of nuclear weapons in New Zealand ports constitutes a hazard in itself.”

Professor White said there had been numerous accidents involving nuclear weapons resulting in near detonation or the release of radioactive, material from the warhead.

Nuclear weapons were continually subject to possible sabotage, terrorist or extortionist activity affecting the safety of entire cities.

The beginning of a nuclear war would necessitate attacks on those ships, aircraft and command and communication centres whose locations were known.

“United States Navy vessels in New Zealand ports would be attacked by whatever Soviet firepower

was locally available,” he said.

“Whether or not soviet intercontinental ballistic missiles are targeted on New Zealand, visiting United States Navy ships would be involved locally with their Soviet counterparts in an exchange of. ‘tactical’ nuclear weapons should the superpowers engage in an all-out nuclear conflict.” Professor White said the presence of weapons such as Tomahawk cruise missiles, which where being fitted to as the U.S.S. Texas, were regarded at “strategic” weapons.

The presence of such weapons on board ships, visiting New Zealand would enhance their importance as targets and increase the risk of New Zealand being anuclear target for the

Soviet Union. The scientists’ group recommended that the bill be amended to separate the issues of nuclear powr and nuclear weapons. It was important the issue be debated in Parliament without being confused with one another. “It would also be unfortunate if the possibility of prohibiting nuclear weapons were set aside because it had been tied to the possibility of prohibiting nuclearpowered vessels,” Professor White said. Ms Kare Mangnall, of the Aucklan Peace Forum, said it was no longer sufficient to ask the super-Powers for a nuclear-free New Zealand or South Pacific. “If we want to live, we must demand that such zones be respected,” she said.