ALL SOULS NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT TASK FORCE

— by Lois Chazen

A recent front page New York Times article reports that experts from the United States and the International Atomic Energy Agency found blueprints for a 10-kiloton atomic bomb in the Libyan weapons program files. Dr. A.Q. Khan of Pakistan gave the plans to Libya in order to close a $100 million illegal sale of equipment to enrich uranium to fuel nuclear warheads. Khan is believed to be the head of a rogue network selling nuclear weapons grade material to countries around the world. The questions one needs to ask are: which countries, what did they buy, and were they given blueprints? Dr. Khan is the key figure in the design of Pakistan’s nuclear bomb, of which many of the specifications are aleged to have been stolen from the west.

Guy Quinlan, a Deacon of All Souls Church and a member since 1974, is keenly aware of the terrifying possibilities nuclear weapons present. His determination to have them abolished led him to establish the Nuclear Disarmament Task Force at All Souls six years ago. In the December, 2004 issue of UU World, he expresses his concerns and proposes some methodology to bring about a safer world. The article he wrote, titled “Preventing Nuclear Terrorism,” appears in the magazine’s Forum section.

In the article, Guy writes, “Congress and the Executive branch have treated the potential for nuclear terrorism as a back burner issue.” ”This kind of neglect,” he warns, “is a morally intolerable gamble with the future of our children and grandchildren. Safeguarding weapons usable material from terrorists must be a national priority.” He urges the public to become more informed of the harsh realities and to take an active part in the struggle to ban nuclear weaponry development and to demand rigorous security for existing nuclear arms until they can all be safely destroyed. “Guy has done a great job in getting information to the public and moving people to action,” said Task Force member Joe Russo.

“Many Americans are unaware or unconcerned about the terrible danger in not disarming unilaterally,” said Guy with exasperation. “The US government has been very slow to tighten security at nuclear research sites.” One example he gave me is that six American universities use nuclear weapons grade fuel for research reactors. Ordinary campus security and a barbed wire fence are the extent of security. Although the reactors are slated for conversion to non-nuclear fuel, the Department of Energy has not released the $500 million needed to accomplish this.

Guy said that Al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations are looking for nuclear capability. It is known that several Al-Qaeda operatives have received instruction in atomic-bomb making. The Soviet Union has thousands of poorly guarded nuclear weapons grade sites. A 1991 federal law, Public Law 102228, 12/12/91, Title II Soviet Weapons Destruction (commonly known as the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program or the NunnLugar Bill) addresses this problem and provides funding for dismantling and clean up. However, at the present rate, it will take ten years to complete the job. Meanwhile, there have been four confirmed thefts of weapons grade material. It is estimated that 100 research centers in 40 countries around the globe use weapons grade material. Many of them should be better secured. When the United States bombed Belgrade during the recent war in the Balkans, a known research reactor site was labeled a no-fire zone. It was not dismantled until three years after the war ended. The US Department of Energy could not get clearance to spend $5 million to do the job. For those three years, that facility was virtually unguarded. Fortunately, an American foundation provided the money for removal and cleanup. But what if a bomber pilot had not known it was a nuclear site?

The Nuclear Disarmament Task Force has been working assiduously to inform and to stimulate the public to act. The Task Force has worked with other UU congregations in New York State and with representatives of other denominations. This year the Task Force plans to meet with New York State’s Congressmen and the two Senators from New York, Hilary Rodham Clinton and Chuck Schumer. The purpose is to convince our elected officials that nuclear security should be a priority, to stand against funding new nuclear weapons (proposals for funding development of a mini nuclear warhead for field use and a depth bomb which would explode well below the earth’s surface have been given to Congress) and to prohibit use of all nuclear weapons. Other issues that the Task Force confronts are the resumption of negotiations between Russia and the United States to further reduce their quantities of nuclear warheads which number in the thousands, and to increase safeguards against proliferation. Also of primary importance, is that the United States ratify the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and declare it will never be the first to use nuclear weaponry.

The Task Force researches, writes and distributes materials on the horrific danger in the use of nuclear weapons. Petitions the group circulates often include information on how citizens may contact government officials and suggestions on how to frame the letter. To enhance their impact, All Souls Task Force has engaged in joint projects including telethons with congregations in Maine, Indiana and Oregon. Guy said he hopes to bring in other states and other organizations. This year, the Nuclear Disarmament Task Force plans to participate in some joint projects with the All Souls UU-UNO Committee.

Guy Quinlan is an attorney with the Clifford Chance law firm in New York City. He joined All Souls in 1974, but had attended some services and events at the Church as far back as 1963. He has been in various leadership positions at All Souls including two terms on the Church Board. Currently, he serves as a Deacon. He is a past President of the UU Service Committee and a former `President of the UU Metro New York District. He founded the All Souls Nuclear Disarmament Task Force in 1998.

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