This is to be not ordinary, but a nuclear bomb

At the time while the leading world countries suggest their plans for settlement of the North Korean crisis, one more Asiatic country declares its desire to have its own nuclear power plant, and if possible, even several plants. The intention was recently declared by Vietnam. Until recently, this country was associated with America-s unsuccessful war and cheap mass consumption goods that have flooded Russia-s markets. However, it is an open secret that within several years already, Vietnam has been experiencing economic transformations similar to that ones held in China, i.e. the preservation of the monopoly on the ruling party-s authority. The transformations made in Vietnam certainly differ from those held in China, and the differences are significant.

Irrespective of the economic situation in the country, Vietnam-s scientific and technical potential will allow it soon to have its own nuclear reactor (and all consequences that it may entail).

As scientists of the Hanoi Institute for radioactive waste management inform, as of today, Vietnam-s uranium reserves make up 230 tons, which is quite enough for a regular operation of a nuclear power plant within 24 years at least. But at the same time, it doesn-t mean that an active reactor may appear in Vietnam within the nearest time. As Agence Associated Presse informs, the Vietnamese authorities plan to construct a nuclear power plant by 2015-2020. Especially for this purpose, a special committee for working on construction of a nuclear power plant was set up on March 5, 2002. Vietnamese are famous for their persistence, that is why we can be sure that they will be a success with construction of a nuclear power plant of its own. And it is not ruled out that the objective will be achieved ahead of the fixed terms.

It is certainly very annoying for the old nuclear powers (Russia, the USA, France, Great Britain and China) to realize that the problem of nuclear technologies- spreading is getting uncontrollable. And it is no use to put barriers to this process. Although the USA strictly criticized Russia for cooperation with Iran on this problem, North Korea perfectly coped with its own resources. At least, if someone helped Koreans with this problem, he doesn-t declare it openly. As was already mentioned, the level of technical development of many countries allows them to create a nuclear reactor independently, India and Pakistan may serve a vivid example to this fact.

To all appearances, within the nearest time the number of countries wishing to have nuclear power plants of their own will be speedily increasing. Last week, Brazil Minister of Science and Technologies, Roberto Amaral declared Brazil-s intention not only to have a nuclear reactor of its own, but even a nuclear bomb. It is strange but the statement caused a stormy reaction in neighboring Argentina only, other countries paid no special attention to the words of the Brazilian minister. Are they used to information of this kind? Do other countries think that such countries as Brazil or Vietnam are too far away from development of nuclear weapons of their own? In fact, it may take a rather short period to make a nuclear bomb.

Popularity of the idea of nuclear power plant construction can be easily explained: there is no source of energy that could be as cheap and effective as nuclear power plants. Nuclear power plants are certainly not impeccable from an ecological point of view; many states think that against the background of reducing reserves of oil, coal and gas nuclear reactors are a good alternative to the traditional energy resources.

It is quite natural that as soon as some country gets a nuclear reactor of its own, its leadership may start thinking that it also needs a nuclear bomb of its own as well. They may believe that nuclear bombs are wonderful for the sake of their own security and for bargaining with other economically developed countries on disputable problems. It is highly likely that the example of North Korea may become catching for other countries. If Pyongyang manages to get concessions from the USA, other countries will like to employ the same tactics.

What can be a way out in the situation? It-s hopeless to appeal to the countries planning to build nuclear power plants and ask them not to do so (especially that the example of North Korea is vivid enough: the USA promised to build easy hydrogen reactors for North Korea, and where are the reactors?). It is less effective to threaten them with use of military force or to introduce sanctions. There is only one way out: the economically developed Western states must provide the developing countries with access to modern energy saving technologies. At that, it is desirable that the access must be free from both, political and economic points of view. It is certainly a very expensive problem, while security certainly costs much more. To tell the truth, we can hardly believe in altruism of the West.

Vasily Bubnov
PRAVDA.Ru

http://english.pravda.ru/world/2003/01/13/41949.html

Why not?

Where do you find your articles?

I'd say Ban the Bomb

Do we have our own uranium mines?

lol if Vietnam had a nuclear bomb I doubt it would want the world to know about it.

Vietnam is very secretive in it's military, even it's military budget is a secret and only analyst can guess what it's military budge is.

So whether Vietnam has a nuclear bomb, or even wants one, we would never know and will likely be a secret considering any new country that makes a nuclear bomb gets economic sanctions because of the international nuclear treaty.

I dont really believe that pavaru.ru site.
Just look at these news,

http://ad.pravda.ru/cgi-bin/fclick?7,50,86
http://english.pravda.ru/science/19/94/379/11903_space.html
http://english.pravda.ru/science/19/94/378/11873_UFO.html
....

its a joke

I'm all for a nuclear Vietnam if that helps keeping in check Chinese imperialism and expansionism.

India to assist Vietnam in nuclear research




By Amit Baruah

HANOI, JAN. 8 India has offered to provide equipment for a nuclear science laboratory in Vietnam as part of a set of three agreements signed today, the Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee, said at a press conference here.

After talks with his Vietnamese counterpart, Mr. Phan Van Khai, and the President, Mr. Tran Duc Luong, Mr. Vajpayee confirmed that Indian troops had been receiving training in jungle warfare in Vietnam. ``This is an ongoing programme - imparting of military training. That has been going on since very long. And there is no other cooperation in the military field.''

India will supply laboratory equipment for the nuclear research institute in Dalat in southern Vietnam on a part-grant, part- purchase basis. As many as 30 Vietnamese scientists were trained at Indian facilities dealing with peaceful uses of nuclear energy, officials said. Vietnam is also interested in ``concepts'' relating to nuclear reactors for a future nuclear energy generation programme.

The three agreements signed in the presence of the two Prime Ministers are an MoU between India's Department of Atomic Energy and the Vietnamese Science Ministry; a protocol on cultural exchange and an agreement on tourism cooperation.

On the cooperation in the nuclear field, Mr. Vajpayee said, ``science and technology, including frontier sciences, are the backbone of a modernising society and India is pleased to assist Vietnam in this direction. I am glad cooperation in the area of peaceful uses of nuclear energy is progressing well.''

A statement on the MoU on nuclear energy said its basis lay in an agreement signed in 1986, valid till May, 2002. ``This MoU reviews visits of a number of Vietnamese scientists to facilities in India in the field of peaceful utilisation of nuclear energy. Indian scientists would continue to cooperate with the Vietnamese Atomic Energy Commission on the technical and functional aspects of the Dalat Nuclear Research Institute.''

Mr. Vajpayee stressed the prospects for cooperation and recalled the identification of India's liberation movement with the anti- colonial struggle of Vietnam.

In his banquet speech, the Prime Minister said he came from a ``political generation in India, which closely identified with Vietnam's struggle. What energised India's liberation movement, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, and Vietnam's epic battle for independence and re- unification under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh, was the same universal ideal - namely, freedom from alien rule and exploitation.''

At the press conference, Mr. Vajpayee said he had ``very good discussions'' with Vietnamese leaders and looked forward to cooperating with Vietnam in the context of the Association of South East Asian Nations.

``ASEAN has always been very close to us in terms of history, geography and cultural association. The Ganga-Mekong Cooperation Programme, India's dialogue partnership with ASEAN and our ARF partnership all underline our linkages. We would like to see these linkages flourish in the future in the interest of our collective security and prosperity,'' he said.

``I take this opportunity to once again express the appreciation and gratitude of the people of India to our friends in Vietnam, for their support of India's candidature for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council and on various issues that command the attention of the international community. We look forward to both our countries continuing to work together in international bodies, especially on ASEAN fora.''


http://www.hindu.com/2001/01/09/stories/01090001.htm

You never know .. what VN is up to... neither less, VN is really interested in nuclear technology ... either for energy or defense purposes

@huaren
If you follow the link in the first post ... when you get there, at the bottom there is also a link leads original article in russian... if you can read....


http://world.pravda.ru/world/2003/5/15/41/5428_vietnam.html

lol yeah you made your point Pravada is just a hoax site.

Half of that site seems to be devoted to tabloid liked articles while the other half are genuine news articles. Nonetheless, I doubt Vietnam would want to compromise its economic growth by seeking nuclear ambitions. Vietnam should look to North Korea, Iran and Lybia for examples of how not to pursue nuclear advancements and deterrents.

Vietnam shouldn't make a nuke, I know Vietnam would probably never be crazy enough to use a nuke. Which country in the world is crazy enough to use nukes? Any use of nukes would trigger world war 3.

Vietnam shouldn't waste billions on making a nuke if they are never gonna use it.

Nah, the best thing to do is get them to abandon their nuke bombs..

you may be right... depend on world circumstances... VN may get away... we never know... But I don't think VN is seriously to develop Nuclear weapon at this time


"Last week, Brazil Minister of Science and Technologies, Roberto Amaral declared Brazil-s intention not only to have a nuclear reactor of its own, but even a nuclear bomb. It is strange but the statement caused a stormy reaction in neighboring Argentina only, other countries paid no special attention to the words of the Brazilian minister. Are they used to information of this kind? Do other countries think that such countries as Brazil or Vietnam are too far away from development of nuclear weapons of their own? In fact, it may take a rather short period to make a nuclear bomb."

Nobody cares about Brazil

If I am the leader of Vietnam, I will get nuke.
Nuke can prevent you from bullied from other major power like the US. When the big boy says, you dare to do that $hit than I will nuke you. However, when you have nuke, you can reply if you nuke me, than I will nuke you. Ha!

Yeah that's what we should say to China. hehehe

I mean, we only need 10-15 nukes to bomb China back to Stone Age

lol can't maybe a long time ago, you are allowed to make nukes without any consequences which is why China was able to get nukes.

But after the nuclear treaty was signed any country that develops nukes gets economic sanctions.

Which is why India and Pakistan got sanctions in the 90's when they made nukes(of course now the sanctions have been lifted and are very lucky they did.)

Vietnam making nukes would make Vietnam poorer and Vienam it would take longer for Vietnam to be a more richer country.

That's why Vietnam should do it secretly.

And we only need one nuke to bring Vietnam back to stone age.


Honestly, these treaty can be ignore. Vietnam can build nuke secretly. When war break out, you can show off your nuke to your enemy. Because who know the future? WW3 can be happen anytime, even tomorrow.

Can you afford to sacrifice your country for the destruction of our country?

But anyway, one day China and the US will bomb the crap out of each other, then Vietnam will pick up the Chinese booty. Oh yeah baby

You are quite funny sometime.

Hmmmm.

Yeap, who knows.
Even if Vietnam has nuke, I don’t think anyone will be that stupid to start a nuclear war. Think about it, I nuke you, you nuke me. We are destroying ourselves.

A culture take more than thousand year to create, gone in a second, I don’t think is worth it.

Militarily it is but everything else the Government is beginning to opening up. The National Assembly allows camera crews to record their sessions to be aired on national television.

Who knows how advance Vietnamese military technology is.

In October 2002, Russian customs caught Vietnamese trying to smuggle "car parts" into Vietnam, which turned out to be stolen Russian military technolgy.

Remember this is only one case where they got caught, who knows how much military weapons have been sucesssfully smuggled into Vietnam.

Many believe Vietnam's has lots of stolen Russian technolgy.

It's hard to know what Vietnam really has, since they don't report their military technology and definetly would not announce they have stolen Russian military weapons as well.

I really doubt Vietnam's abilty to create advance weapons given its past history. Perhaps Vietnam's military is somewhat more modern than the Vietnamese government want us to believe, but without the ability to produce its own indigenous military tech, it will not get very far. Reverse engineering stolen technology can only get you so far, and thats assuming that the country was able to reproduce the technology efficiently.

Skepticism aside, who knows, maybe Vietnam has its own version of the TR-3B tucked away in an Area-51 liked base somewhere in the jungles, haha.

LOL - I agree - but to many consequences and the aftermath of revenge.

Maybe we should make mechwarriors or something ;-)

Hmmmm?! A nuclear bomb eh?

I'm never a type of guy to support weapons, but as a countermeasure to foreign invaders - maybe just make one just to scare people and have no real plans of using it. Wait - that would be wasting money - just pretend to make one - yesssss that's better.

Muahh ahhaa hahahaahhahhaha hahaha!

Wait - revision - not only for "keeping in check Chinese imperialism and expansionism" but lets get our old land back while we are at it.

A secretive government is not something to be proud of .

U.S., Russia to sign nuclear fuel agreement

MOSCOW - The United States and Russia will sign an agreement Thursday that should finally lock down some of the world's most dangerous and poorly guarded nuclear fuel.

Read a whole article here (new posted today) http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/8756866.htm



"The other countries covered by the fuel-return program are Bulgaria, China, the Czech Republic, North Korea, Egypt, Germany, Hungary, Kazakhstan Latvia, Libya, Vietnam and Yugoslavia."