Have yellowcake and eat it too

Since then, Downer has played at the margins of non-proliferation. He supported the ratification of the CTBT and announced in April 2000 his “ANZAC Vision”, a set of options calling for resumption of strategic arms limitation talks; early entry into force of the CTBT; immediate negotiations on a fissile materials cut-off treaty; universal adherence to an IAEA protocol tightening inspections on declared nuclear facilities; universal adherence to the NPT; and, effective controls on trading of nuclear materials. But these were “safe” options, in the sense that they were non-controversial and had general support, including from the US.

In sum, the Howard Government has done little more than rubber-stamp the dangerous, proliferation-prone policies of the Bush administration, including its new nuclear weapons research and development program.

Domestically, Howard has found a way to have his yellowcake and eat it too. He is allowing “market forces” to prevail in determining the rate of expansion of uranium mining and export. He is selling uranium through the US to Taiwan, a country that is not bound by the rules of the NPT or the IAEA, and has a proven record of attempting to develop its own nuclear weapons. And following the July 2005 US-India joint statement on nuclear co-operation, he is also contemplating selling it to India, also a non-signatory of the NPT, a nuclear weapons state, and one with no commitment to stop producing weapons-grade fissile materials, something that all five NPT nuclear powers are committed to doing.

In the light of all this, Mr Howard’s nuclear debate looks increasingly like a political and personal charade, the main purpose of which is not to clarify nuclear issues but to wedge the Labor Party in the lead-up to next year’s general election.