July-August 1995

The Future of Nuclear Weapons:

Should They Rust in Peace?

On July 16, 1945, the world's first atomic weapon was tested in the New Mexico desert. Three weeks later, more than 120,000 civilians died when atom bombs were dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The 50th anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki raised a host of urgent questions. In 80 interviews 30 Mainstream Media Project guests discussed questions such as:

• Are we safer from nuclear destruction now than half a century ago? Can atomic "wannabes" like Iraq, Iran, and North Korea be persuaded to forego the nuclear option while we continue to develop our arsenals?
  
  
• What should be done with the tons of plutonium and other highly toxic wastes accumulating worldwide? Is there a safe way to store substances that will remain lethal for thousands of years?
  
  
• How can we control the smuggling of radioactive materials and nuclear technology out of the former Soviet Union?

Guest Speakers

Len Ackland, Former Editor, Bulletin of Atomic Scientists

Naila Bolus, Co-Director, 20/20 Vision

James Bush, Associate Director, Center for Defense Information

Jackie Cabasso, Executive Director, Western States Legal Foundation

Joseph Cirincione, Senior Associate, Henry L. Stimson Center

Michael Closson, Executive Director, Center for Economic Conversion

William Colby, Former Director, Central Intelligence Agency

Lloyd Jeffry Dumas, Professor, University of Texas, Dallas

David Evans, Communications Director, Business Executives for National Security (BENS)

Claire Greensfelder, Executive Director, Plutonium Free Future Womens Network

Jesse James, Reporter, Dallas Morning News

David Krieger, Founder and President, Nuclear Age Peace Foundation

Michael Krepon, President, Henry L. Stimson Center

Joanne Landy, Executive Director, Campaign for Peace and Democracy

Arjun Makhijani, President, Institute for Energy and Environmental Studies

Philip Morrison, Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Bob Musil, Executive Director, Physicians for Social Responsibility

John Parachini, Executive Director, Lawyers Alliance for World Security (LAWS)

George Perkovich, Director, Secure World Program, W. Alton Jones Foundation

John Pike, Director, Space Policy Federation of American Scientists

Sayre Sheldon, National Board, Womens Action for New Directions (WAND)

Michael Shuman, Fellow, Institute for Policy Studies

Michael Simmons, American Friends Service Committee

Angelia Smith, Director, Peace Economy Campaign, Peace Action

Theodore B. Taylor, Nuclear Scientist

Aaron Tovish, Acting Secretary-General, Parliamentarians for Global Action

Paul Walker, Former Lead Staffer, House Armed Services Committee

Alyn Ware, Lawyers Committee for Nuclear Policy

Paul Warnke, Former arms negotiator, Partner, Howry & Simon

David Watkins, 20/20 Vision

Jennifer Weeks, Representative for Arms Control and International Security, Union of Concerned Scientists