[NukeNet] Markey Hammers Bodman on Saudi Nukes

[Linda Gunter]

BEYOND NUCLEAR

Beyond Nuclear Bulletin 
June 19, 2008
Top Stories
“Saudia Arabia is the Saudi Arabia of solar.” 
Background: Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA), chairman of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming was relentless in his questioning of Bush Energy Secretary, Samuel Bodman, during a May 22 hearing. Markey challenged the Bush administration’s decision to promote nuclear energy to Saudia Arabia, asking why they wouldn’t push solar instead – since “Saudi Arabia is the Saudi Arabia of solar.” Bodman’s repeated response was “I don’t know. I wasn’t there.” Markey, described by a colleague as “a terrier with a squeaky toy,” would not let Bodman off the hook, expressing amazement that the country’s energy secretary appeared to have no opinion on important energy issues like nuclear and solar.
Our View: Watching this video provides a shocking insight into the degree of sellout by the Bush administration to both the nuclear industry and to its friends – the Saudi Arabian royal family. Bodman has stunningly little to say and professes ignorance of energy matters central to global, as well as national security.
What You Can Do: Watch the video of Markey in action here, and enjoy! Read Markey’s June 10 Wall Street Journal op-ed: Why is Bush Helping Saudi Arabia Build Nukes? If so moved, send him a supporting letter of congratulations for not letting up on Bodman. Write to Markey at: 2108 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515.

Survey on nuclear weapons from Hiroshima
Background: The Hiroshima Peace Media Center, based in Hiroshima, Japan, is appealing to the global community to complete a survey on public opinion regarding nuclear weapons. In July, the G8 Summit will be held in Hokkaido, Japan and in September, the G8 Summit of Lower House Speakers will be held in Hiroshima. Nuclear proliferation will be one of the key issues addressed at the G8 Summit while peace and disarmament will be the main theme of the Speakers Summit. The Peace Media Center is gathering views on nuclear proliferation, nuclear disarmament, and nuclear abolition and will report the results to the participants of both summits. The Center asks that we respond “so that the G8 leadership will hear the will of the world’s people.”
Our View: It’s essential that the G8 countries receive a loud and clear message that nuclear weapons serve no purpose and that the world demands they be eliminated.
What You Can Do: Click here to fill out and submit your views. 

Of Note
The French Nuclear Medusa: Areva is dramatically increasing its uranium mining activities in Kazakhstan, a country whose notorious nuclear history includes nuclear weapons tests inflicted on unprotected populations that continue to cause birth defects today. Areva plans to mine 4,000 tonnes of uranium a year, up from 1,000 tonnes. However, according to The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, “Kazakhstan is unprepared for the environmental impact an increase in uranium mining would cause, and the country lacks adequate regulations governing the rehabilitation of land used by mining enterprises.” Furthermore, Kazakhstan is reputedly rife with corruption and, asserts the Bulletin, the “threat that crooked officials could undermine the country's nonproliferation policies by making lucrative side deals with rogue countries or terrorist groups remains.”

Singing for solar and a just world for all
Please enjoy our two latest exclusive videos that remind us that we can muster the energy and determination to make a better, more just world. Watch Pete Seeger and John Hall lead an enthusiastic audience in a rendition of This Land is Your Land here. And see John Hall – formerly the frontman for Orleans but now a Congressman from New York – perform his ode to solar energy – and against “atomic poison power” – here.

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Beyond Nuclear aims to educate and activate the public about the connections between nuclear power and nuclear weapons and the need to abandon both to safeguard our future. Beyond Nuclear advocates for an energy future that is sustainable, benign and democratic. Beyond Nuclear staff can be reached at: 301.270.2209. Or view our Web site at: www.beyondnuclear.org


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