Daniel Akaka: “I rise today to discuss the myth and dangers posed by the nuclear earth penetrating weapons proposed by the Bush…”

“I rise today to discuss the myth and dangers posed by the nuclear earth penetrating weapons proposed by the Bush administration. The administration suggests that new nuclear weapons could be needed to destroy a growing number of hard and deeply buried targets, HDBT. The Intelligence Community has estimated that there are over 10,000 potential HDBTs worldwide. Many of these are near the surface, serve tactical roles, and can be attacked with conventional weapons. But some hundreds of these targets have stronger concrete reenforcement, or are buried at great depths, or are in tunnels. They play a strategic role, protecting senior leaders, command and control centers, or stored weapons of mass destruction. Of particular concern are the very hardened or deeply buried HDBTs located in so-called rogue nations. To attack the most deeply buried structures, the administration would like to have a nuclear weapon that could destroy a bunker some 300 meters, or about 1,000 feet, underground without causing substantial 'collateral damage.'”