Experts warn of nuclear terrorism

The Washington Post

VIENNA, Austria — A crude nuclear device could be detonated by some terrorist group, including Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaida, which would have no qualms about using a weapon of mass destruction, weapons experts told the U.N. atomic agency at a conference here Friday.

Following the Sept. 11 attacks, Western countries, particularly the United States, must accelerate efforts to protect inadequately housed nuclear material that could easily — and may already have — fallen into the hands of terrorists, speakers at the conference said.

"The only strategy is to protect the material where it is," said Morten Bremer Maerli, a researcher at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs. But implementation of that strategy "doesn’t exist."

While building and setting off a nuclear device is technically difficult, those hurdles should not be overestimated because suicidal extremists bent on mass destruction may be indifferent to the safety standards that mark government weapons programs.

One speaker quoted the late Manhattan Project researcher, Luis Alvarez, who said, "Most people seem unaware that if (highly enriched uranium) is at hand, it’s a trivial job to set off a nuclear explosion … even a high school kid could make a bomb in short order."

The Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency, which organized Friday’s conference, reports 175 cases of trafficking in nuclear material since 1993, including 18 cases that involved small amounts of highly enriched uranium or plutonium. What is unknown is whether these numbers represent the extent or just the tip of the problem.

In these cases, the material was seized by law enforcement agencies, but records at the facilities, most of them Russian, from which the uranium or plutonium was stolen showed that nothing was missing, officials said.

"The controls on nuclear material and radioactive sources are uneven," said Mohamed El Baradei, director general of the agency. "Security is as good as its weakest link, and loose nuclear material in any country is a potential threat to the entire world."

The conference was also warned that terrorists may seek to cause widespread death and panic by dusting a conventional bomb with radioactive material widely in use in civilian life, and that nuclear power plants are not prepared for the kind of multipronged attack employed by the terrorists on Sept. 11.

"Suppose that these 19 (hijackers) had formed into teams to drive four vans with large high-explosive bombs into the power reactors and spent fuel ponds for a large nuclear facility," said George Bunn, a professor at Stanford University’s Center for International Security and Cooperation. "Does any civilian facility’s design … suggest protection against such threats?"

The answer, Bunn said, is no.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Jasmine Donahue talks about being a place for people leave messages when looking for family members, friends or loved ones on the street on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett extends deadline for homeless service facing closure

Hope ‘N Wellness must now comply with city zoning laws by April 30. The organization is “grateful,” its owner said, but still hopes for a permanent solution.

New Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce CEO CEO Wendy Poischbeg speaks at a kick off event on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Everett Rising’: Wednesday’s chamber luncheon to showcase a new era of growth.

The Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce is beginning its efforts… Continue reading

The Edmonds School District building on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds School District faces estimated $8.5 million deficit

The shortfall is lower than previous years, but the effects are “cumulative,” Superintendent Rebecca Miner said.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Hundreds rally against Trump on Presidents Day in Everett

People lined Broadway with signs and flags, similar to other protests across the country.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.