Skip to comments.Possible Plutonium Find Has Wide and Disturbing
Implications Posted on 04/10/2003 5:19:05 PM PDT by Axion
Possible Plutonium Find Has Wide and Disturbing Implications
Summary Apr 10, 2003 - 2202 GMT Initial reports from coalition
forces at Iraq's Al Tuwaitha nuclear complex indicate the
presence of weapons-grade plutonium. If this is truly the case,
and tests should confirm the plutonium's presence very shortly,
the finding will have disturbing ramifications for the region
and American foreign policy. Coalition forces searching the Al
Tuwaitha nuclear complex just south of Baghdad on April 10 have
detected a type of radiation that could signal the presence of
weapons-grade plutonium. One of two materials is used to fuel
nuclear explosions: uranium or plutonium. The initial
indications from Al Tuwaitha indicate the presence of
plutonium-239. If true, this is worrying on numerous fronts.
Uranium is far more abundant than plutonium and methods to
separate, purify and mold weapons-grade uranium a