Gates Orders Full Nuclear Inventory

Missile fuses shipped to Taiwan were second mishap in a year

By Lucas Laursen, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 28, 2008 6:32 AM CDT

(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.

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 Furious Over US/Taiwan Nuke Mixup

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Nuke Fluke: US Sent Missile Parts to Taiwan

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

China • Taiwan • nuclear program • missile • Department of Defense • accident

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

China Furious Over US/Taiwan Nuke Mixup

Beijing warns of 'disastrous consequences'

Nuke Fluke: US Sent Missile Parts to Taiwan

Defense Dept. didn't realize error through nearly 2 years of Taiwanese queries

New Taiwanese Missiles Could Reach China

Island 'mass-producing' weapons despite closer economic ties

Taiwan Flexing Missile Muscle

Govt. officials confirm plans for long-range cruise missile capable of hitting China

US Opposes Taiwan's Missiles

Diplomats concerned about further escalation with mainland

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