Re: Tukarese News Agency (TNA)
Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 7:07 am
Nuke program begins amidst controversy
February 6, 3358
After intense debate in the public and media, but with surprisingly little conflict and political wrangling in the National Assembly, the controversial nuclear weapons bill has passed. The passage of the Military Reform Act has set into motion Tukarali's nuclear program, which aims, in five years time, to create and successfully detonate a nuclear device that can be delivered both by bomber and by missile.
Some eminent members of Tukarali's growing scientific community have agreed to take part in the project. Foremost among them is the 38-year-old Érico Carlos Marzagão Gralheiro, widely considered the most brilliant physicist in Tukarese history. Marzagão Gralheiro first came to the attention of scientists when he built a crude particle accelerator at the age of eleven, and went on to study and then teach at the highly prestigious Technical Institute of Sangon (TIS). He is currently the Dean of the Physics Faculty at the TIS. He has accepted an appointment as the leader of the team of scientists who will develop Tukarali's first nuke.
Érico Carlos Marzagão Gralheiro (right) and a research associate
Tukarese scientists are not, however, building the nuclear bomb from scratch. For years, they have been permitted to research nuclear weapons technology, although until now they have not received authorisation to actually build one. There are a fair number of facilities such as a plutonium reactors and gaseous diffusion plants that already exist.
Plutonium reactor in a secret location
The Tukarese public seem to be supportive of the development of nuclear weapons. In a recent poll, the results were clear:
A second poll conducted days later asked citizens about the government's policy on the use of nuclear weapons once Tukarali had obtained them:
However, despite, the public support that the government's moves have received, the anti-nuclear movement is unfazed. Their leader, Amika Yoshikawa, told our reporters that
The controversy has only increased a result of two further moves by the government pursuant to the new legislation: the creation of a chemical and biological stockpile. While largely overshadowed by the more prominent nuclear program, it has also aroused the ire of pacifists.
The government has declared that it begun synthesising VX, cyclosarin and disulfur decafluoride in chemical plants across the factory. While the nuclear program is likely to require significant construction due to the fact that not all infrastructure has been built, the chemical weapons program will have the advantage of near-complete infrastructure. In terms of its biological weapons program, Tukarese biologists are working on anthrax, botulinum toxin (the most potent toxin known) and a weaponised version of yersinia pestis (i.e. black death).
Weaponised bacteria
The official policy of the Tukarese government is that chemical and biological weaponry can be used in any circumstances, and they are viewed as the final step apart from the use of nuclear weapons.
February 6, 3358
After intense debate in the public and media, but with surprisingly little conflict and political wrangling in the National Assembly, the controversial nuclear weapons bill has passed. The passage of the Military Reform Act has set into motion Tukarali's nuclear program, which aims, in five years time, to create and successfully detonate a nuclear device that can be delivered both by bomber and by missile.
Some eminent members of Tukarali's growing scientific community have agreed to take part in the project. Foremost among them is the 38-year-old Érico Carlos Marzagão Gralheiro, widely considered the most brilliant physicist in Tukarese history. Marzagão Gralheiro first came to the attention of scientists when he built a crude particle accelerator at the age of eleven, and went on to study and then teach at the highly prestigious Technical Institute of Sangon (TIS). He is currently the Dean of the Physics Faculty at the TIS. He has accepted an appointment as the leader of the team of scientists who will develop Tukarali's first nuke.
Érico Carlos Marzagão Gralheiro (right) and a research associate
Tukarese scientists are not, however, building the nuclear bomb from scratch. For years, they have been permitted to research nuclear weapons technology, although until now they have not received authorisation to actually build one. There are a fair number of facilities such as a plutonium reactors and gaseous diffusion plants that already exist.
Plutonium reactor in a secret location
The Tukarese public seem to be supportive of the development of nuclear weapons. In a recent poll, the results were clear:
Do you think that Tukarali should build nuclear weapons?
1) No, nuclear weapons are immoral and/or dangerous - 26%
2) No, we're not ready to build nukes; we shouldn't be in a hurry - 19%
3) Yes, nuclear weapons will help us defend our country - 58%
A second poll conducted days later asked citizens about the government's policy on the use of nuclear weapons once Tukarali had obtained them:
What do you think Tukarali's policy on using nuclear weapons should be?
1) Nuclear weapons are evil and should never be used - 22%
2) It's immoral to use nuclear weapons in a first strike - 10%
3) We should only use nukes if an enemy uses WMDs - 10%
4) Nuclear weapons should be used on military targets only - 13%
5) If we can't win without using them, bring out the nukes - 9%
6) If our sovereignity is threatened, use nuclear weapons - 29%
7) If there's someone we don't like, nuke 'em - 7%
However, despite, the public support that the government's moves have received, the anti-nuclear movement is unfazed. Their leader, Amika Yoshikawa, told our reporters that
We are deeply disappointed in the government's decision. They have acted in a foolish and immoral way and the citizens of Tukarali demand that they stop their attempts to build a nuke. We won't stop protesting and opposing this horrible decision until the government agrees end the nuclear program.
The controversy has only increased a result of two further moves by the government pursuant to the new legislation: the creation of a chemical and biological stockpile. While largely overshadowed by the more prominent nuclear program, it has also aroused the ire of pacifists.
The government has declared that it begun synthesising VX, cyclosarin and disulfur decafluoride in chemical plants across the factory. While the nuclear program is likely to require significant construction due to the fact that not all infrastructure has been built, the chemical weapons program will have the advantage of near-complete infrastructure. In terms of its biological weapons program, Tukarese biologists are working on anthrax, botulinum toxin (the most potent toxin known) and a weaponised version of yersinia pestis (i.e. black death).
Weaponised bacteria
The official policy of the Tukarese government is that chemical and biological weaponry can be used in any circumstances, and they are viewed as the final step apart from the use of nuclear weapons.