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Gates Orders Full Nuclear Inventory

Posted Mar 28, 08 6:32 AM CDT in US 

(Newser) – Secretary of State Robert Gates has ordered Pentagon officials to take a new inventory of all US nuclear weapons and related equipment, the Washington Post reports. The count, to be completed in 60 days, is in addition to a specific probe into how 4 missile fuses were shipped accidentally to Taiwan and not noticed for 18 months.

China, not pleased with the slip-up, has called for an explanation from the US.The situation is “extremely embarrassing” for the Pentagon, insiders tell the Post. “Secretary Gates believes this situation is totally and completely unacceptable,” said his spokesman. US forces also mistakenly sent six nuclear warheads on a B-52 flight across several states last August. 

Sources Washington Post, Associated Press

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A Minuteman III missile being launched from Vandenberg AFB, Calif. The US mistakenly sent 4 fuses for the nuclear-capable missiles to Taiwan, sparking a row with China.   (AP Photo)
In this photograph provided by the Department of Defense, Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, left, U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, center, stand with President Bush...   (AP Photo/Department of Defense, Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley)
This image provided by the US Air Force shows a B-52 Stratofortress taking off Wednesday, April 13, 2006. A B-52 carried a live nuclear weapon by accident in AUgust 2007.   (AP Photo)
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China • accident • Defense Department • nuclear program • Taiwan • missile


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