Good News: Gaps in European Nuclear Security

The U.S. Air Force Blue Ribbon Review of Nuclear Weapons Policies and Procedures found that most European military site equiped with US nukes have security gaps. Some of the security gaps include fencing, lighting, and security systems. The gaps occurred in military installations operated by Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Italy. It is estimated that there are 200-350 US nukes in Europe. Reuters

The U.S. Air Force Blue Ribbon Review of Nuclear Weapons Policies and Procedures found fencing, security systems, lighting and support buildings in need of repair at several sites inspected by panel members, the February 8, 2008 report said.

"A consistently noted theme throughout the visits was that most sites require significant additional resources to meet DOD (U.S. Department of Defense) security requirements," it said.

The appearance of the document, obtained by the Federation of American Scientists and posted on the group's Web site at www.fas.org, prompted calls from German politicians to end the U.S. nuclear deployment in their country.

....

Hans Kristensen, director of the federation's Nuclear Information Project, said the security problems occurred at installations operated by the armed forces of Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Italy, all NATO members. About 200 to 350 nuclear weapons are believed to be stored at the sites.

"What's really going on here is that the United States has changed its standards (since the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States), but NATO has not followed and it's at the national bases we're seeing this problem," Kristensen said.

"In a way, it's the United States knocking on NATO's door and saying: 'C'mon, guys, you need to upgrade, too.'"