RUSSIAN WILDFIRES THREATENING NUCLEAR FACILITIES DEMONSTRATE THAT WITHOUT THE NEW START TREATY U.S. SECURITY IS AT RISK
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CONSENSUS FOR AMERICAN SECURITY |
RUSSIAN WILDFIRES THREATENING NUCLEAR FACILITIES DEMONSTRATE THAT WITHOUT THE NEW START TREATY U.S. SECURITY IS AT RISK
Washington, D.C., AUGUST 10, 2010 – Today, Lt Gen Dirk Jameson (USAF Rtd) raises the concern of Russian wildfires on nuclear weapons security.
Lt. Gen. Dirk Jameson, who served as Deputy Commander in Chief and Chief of Staff of U.S. Strategic Command said: “I read with concern about widespread wildfires that have spread to key Russian nuclear facilities. Because of the delay in ratifying the new START treaty, we have no on site inspectors or other verification measures to monitor the risks to the security of Russian weapons or nuclear material.
“These risks could pose serious security implications not just for Russia but for the US and for the world – including possible proliferation and terrorist dangers that our current intelligence is unable to watch closely.”
He continued and said: “We hope that Russia is successful in containing these wildfires as soon as possible. It is tragic that a natural disaster would affect Russian citizens so adversely while underscoring how closely Russian and American security are linked. We must urge the Senate to ratify the New START Treaty as soon as possible — in our own national security interest.”
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NOTE FOR EDITORS: Lt. General Dirk Jameson served as Deputy Commander in Chief and Chief of Staff of U.S. Strategic Command before retiring from the U.S. Air Force in 1996 after more than three decades of active service. Prior to his StratCom assignment, Gen. Jameson commanded the 14,500 men and women of the U.S. 20th Air Force, and was responsible for all U.S. Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles, seven major subordinate units, operational training, testing, security and readiness. Gen. Jameson also served as the Chief of Staff, Strategic Air Command and commanded the USAF Strategic Missile Center at Vandenberg AFB, California. General Jameson had numerous other nuclear related assignments including Director of Command Control, Strategic Air Command, 4th Air Division Commander and Commander of the 90th Strategic Missile Wing. Since retiring from the Air Force, General Jameson has continued to serve in a number of private sector leadership positions.
About the Consensus for American Security: the Consensus for American Security is a non-partisan group of influential military and national security leaders who have come together to highlight growing support for a new and sustainable nuclear weapons policy. The Consensus is an initiative of the American Security Project.
