Nevada officials concerned about recent nuclear tests

Mark D. Preston

Friday, May 29, 1998 | 11:02 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- The nuclear arms race between Pakistan and India has Nevada's congressional delegation worried other South Asian countries might contribute to the escalating tension in the region.

Pakistan conducted five underground nuclear weapons tests Thursday in a direct response to archrival India's five nuclear tests two weeks earlier. Both tests have resulted in condemnation and economic sanctions from leaders around the world.

But despite momentum from developing countries obtaining nuclear weapons capabilities, Silver State lawmakers agreed Thursday the United States should refrain from stepping up its nuclear weapons testing at the Nevada Test Site.

Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., a member of the Senate Select Intelligence Committee, said he fears the recent tests might lead other countries to pursue a nuclear weapon.

"It increases the risk for nuclear proliferation from China, North Korea and other countries feeling that they, too, must test in order to be a part of the global fixture," he said. "But I think (enhanced U.S. testing) would be counterproductive."

Rep. John Ensign, R-Nev., described the nuclear tests by India and Pakistan as "very disturbing," but said enhanced testing by the United States would "send the world the wrong message."

Ensign instead suggested that the priority of the United States should be to maintain the current nuclear weapons stockpile and beef up foreign intelligence.

"We need to make sure we are reliable with our nuclear stockpile," Ensign said. "We need to have the best intelligence gathering possible."

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said, "I don't think there is any need whatsoever to proceed with underground testing at this stage, although I think it is important we set an example for the rest of the world by testing the safety and reliability of our weaponry."

"It is absolutely essential to maintain our commitment to the Stockpile Stewardship Program at the Nevada Test Site," added Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., in a prepared statement. Gibbons, a member of the House Select Intelligence Committee, reacted to news of the latest tests as he traveled in the Middle East with a congressional delegation led by House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga.

The United States conducts subcritical experiments at the Nevada Test Site by using a minimum amount of plutonium to create an explosion, but not enough to cause a chain reaction for a nuclear detonation. The last subcritical experiment at the Test Site took place on March 25, and three more are scheduled this year. Two similar experiments were conducted in 1997.

Derek Scammell, spokesman for the Department of Energy, said the United States conducts subcritical experiments to learn how the plutonium reacts to heat, pressure and aging. He said these tests will prevent accidents in the future.

"It is similar to starting up a car that has been sitting in a garage for 10 years," he said. "You are not sure how what is going to happen so you monitor it closely."

The last time the United States conducted a nuclear detonation was Sept. 23, 1992. President Bush then signed a moratorium on such tests, which President Clinton subsequently extended three more times.

Last September, the United States agreed to a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, which Britain and France both recently ratified. The United States has yet to ratify the agreement, and Reid said he doesn't think Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C. -- chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee -- will release the treaty from his committee for a vote this year.

"I don't see it happening, but we should," Reid said. "I just don't think Jesse Helms will let it out of his committee, although a majority of people support it."

It could take up to two years for the Test Site, 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas, to resume such experiments even if the president ordered it.

The last nuclear weapon exploded beneath Nevada's desert on Sept. 23, 1992 and was code named "Divider." The test packed a nuclear punch equal to 20,000 tons of TNT. It was designed to ensure the U.S. stockpile, according to the DOE.

"If President Clinton certified that he was no longer confident in the U.S. stockpile -- and this is a real long shot -- it would take 18 months to two years to start testing again," Scammell said.

"I think a war would have to be declared" before testing in Nevada would resume, Scammell said.

(Mary Manning contributed to this story.)