Will Taiwan now aggressively pursue WMD?

Now that North Korea has apparently joined the list of countries with nuclear weapons capabilities, will Taiwan ramp up programs to arm itself also? They have tried to do so in the past. . .

www.fas.org...

The Nuclear Potential ofIndividual CountriesTreaty on Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons
Problems of Extension Appendix 2 Russian Federation Foreign Intelligence Service 6 April 1995
With developed industrial and scientific-technical potential, Taiwan is in a position, according to experts' appraisals, to create components of WMD and means to deliver them. Taiwan does not have nuclear weapons. However, Taiwan has made attempts to organize production of plutonium on an experimental basis. . .

. . . We can assert with sufficient confidence that officially imported nuclear technologies, knowledge, and equipment do not enable Taiwan to create nuclear weapons, but do provide it with the necessary know-how to do work in the nuclear field and may accelerate the country's own nuclear developments of a military nature, if such a decision is made.

www.gwu.edu...

New Archival Evidence on Taiwanese "Nuclear Intentions", 1966-1976
Recently declassified documents, unearthed by the National Security Archive, provide new and significant details about the earlier efforts to forestall a nuclear-armed Taiwan.

www.isis-online.org...

TAIWAN'S FORMER NUCLEAR BOMB PROGRAM REVEALED
Washington -- December 19 -- The Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) today revealed new information about Taiwan's efforts to acquire nuclear weapons through the 1980's, and efforts by the United States and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to thwart Taiwan's pursuit of the bomb. According to ISIS, the United States and the IAEA have created a powerful set of constraints on Taiwan's nuclear program.

www.fas.org...

FBIS Report: PRC Media Response to Taiwan Nuclear Weapons Debate Low-key (FBIS Report) Beijing has not responded officially to claims by a Taiwan legislator that Chen Shui-bian's government is planning to develop nuclear weapons or to the debate in Taiwan media prompted by his remarks. However, commentary appearing on official websites and in papers affiliated with mainstream party dailies has implied that Taiwan may be developing nuclear weapons and, in one case, recommended a strong Beijing response.

www.fas.org...

Taiwan launched a nuclear weapons program after the first Chinese nuclear test in October 1964. The military Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology developed the "Hsin Chu Program" which included the purchase of a heavy-water reactor, a heavy-water production plant, and a plutonium separation plant.

* They have been doing serious research since 1956 complete with a robust staff & equiptment.

* They have had nuclear power plants since the mid-eighties.

* They have military subdivisions doing research on such weapons.

* They have been observed trying to make metallic/weapons grade uranium.

* They have hundreds of nuclear specialists trained abroad. Most of them in the USA.

* They have supplies of uranium coming from South Africa, and other sources.

* They have signed the NPT, but are only partially bound.

* They have IAEA agreements, but again, are only partially bound.

* They have a dangerous situation brewing in NK that could escallate their intentions to aquire nukes.

It has been noted that other countries in the region will now step up their respective programs to arm themselves against possible conflict. History shows us that Taiwan could be a prime candidate. . . This could get really messy.

Can China control her kids???

Even South Korea has been violations its agreements and conducting illegal activities. . .

www.thebulletin.org...

South Korea's nuclear surprise
Last fall, under pressure from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), South Korea publicly disclosed its past secret nuclear research activities, revealing that it had conducted chemical uranium enrichment from 1979 to 1981, separated small quantities of plutonium in 1982, experimented with uranium enrichment in 2000, and manufactured depleted uranium munitions from 1983 to 1987. The South Korean government had violated its international agreements by not declaring any of these activities to the IAEA in Vienna.

I think the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty has failed and South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Saudi Arabia and other countries surrounding rogue nations should be able to start their own weapons programs or buy nukes from the U.S. or another P5 nations.

Originally posted by djohnsto77
I think the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty has failed and South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Saudi Arabia and other countries surrounding rogue nations should be able to start their own weapons programs or buy nukes from the U.S. or another P5 nations.

Are you suggesting that Cuba,venezuela,Iran and other countries surrending USA should be able to have nukes?
You guys are totally irresponsible,tit for tat will do nothing good to world peace.

Originally posted by chao

Originally posted by djohnsto77
I think the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty has failed and South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Saudi Arabia and other countries surrounding rogue nations should be able to start their own weapons programs or buy nukes from the U.S. or another P5 nations.

Are you suggesting that Cuba,venezuela,Iran and other countries surrending USA should be able to have nukes?
You guys are totally irresponsible,tit for tat will do nothing good to world peace.

I don't agree we should be selling nukes, but the treaty is a joke.

. . . Meanwhile, at a top secret (Insert country here ) presidential cabinet meeting-

Prez: " You mean to tell me that all I have to do is sign this thing and we will be given nuclear power plants & other aid, AND, we will STILL be able to covertly work on nuclear weapons? "

Cabinet member: "YES."

Prez: " Where do I sign? "

Maybe they already have the bomb like Israel is not supposed to have it? You have to wonder since they have far more capability and resources than NK has.