Senate rejects ban on nuclear tests, "bunker-busters"

WASHINGTON (AFP) Sep 17, 2003
The US Senate on Tuesday rejected a measure that would have halted the development of "bunker buster" bombs -- small nuclear weapons created for battefield use -- while also allowing the resumption of underground nuclear tests.

By a 53-41 vote, the Republican-controlled Senate rejected legislation sponsored by Democrats Dianne Feinstein of California and Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts.

"At the very time when we are urging other nations to halt their own nuclear weapons programs, the administration is rushing forward to develop our own new nuclear weapons," said Kennedy, who warned that a new "nuclear arms race" could result.

A moratorium on nuclear tests has been in place in the United States since 1992, but the White House has said a resumption of testing is needed to ascertain the reliability of existing weapons.

WAR.WIRE