Divine Strake Test explosion in Nevada put on indefinite hold

NEW TODAY: Test explosion in Nevada put on indefinite hold
By Robert Gehrke
The Salt Lake Tribune

WASHINGTON -- Divine Strake, a massive explosives test originally planned for next month, has been put on indefinite hold.

The National Nuclear Security Administration said Friday it was postponing the test -- which entails detonation of 700 tons of explosives at the Nevada Test Site -- so it can address concerns raised that Divine Strake could spew radioactive contaminants from earlier nuclear tests into the air.

more at:
http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_3869605

TONATIERRA
PRESS RELEASE
DATE: FRIDAY MAY 26, 2006


STOP THE STRAKE

Indigenous Nations joined by Peace and Justice Coalition Mobilize to stop
assault on Western Shoshone Nation

Phoenix, AZ- Representatives of Indigenous Nations of Arizona will be joined
by Arizona Peace and Justice activists this weekend in sending a support
delegation to block the explosion of the mega bomb “Divine Strake” on the Western
Shoshone territories of Nevada. The above ground detonation that would
result in a health threatening mushroom cloud of possibly radioactive contamination
to be released against the public at large is being proposed for the month of
June.

The 700 ton explosion planned by the US military forces at the Nevada Test
Site is widely seen as a precursor to “bunker buster” bombing attacks against
fortified installations in Iran.

The location of this test would be on Western Shoshone land, and would be in
direct violation of a recent decision by the United Nations Committee on the
Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD). In its decision, made public March
10, 2006, the CERD Committee urged the United States to "freeze", "desist"
and "stop" actions being taken, or threatened to be taken, against the Western
Shoshone Peoples of the Western Shoshone Nation. In its decision, CERD stressed
the "nature and urgency" of the Shoshone situation informing the U.S. that it
goes "well beyond" the normal reporting process and warrants immediate
attention under the Committee's Early Warning and Urgent Action Procedure. (ht
tp://www.wsdp.org/un_cerd_wsdp.htm#gov0320)

The CERD decision explicitly cited ongoing weapons testing at the Nevada Test
Site as well as efforts to build an unprecedented high-level nuclear waste
repository at Yucca Mountain, NV.

“The proposed Divine Strake is a criminal assault in violation of
international law, and a breach of the Peace established in the territory under the
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo with Mexico in 1848. If the US wants to affirm the
border established by the Treaty, the Peace must be also affirmed. No peace,
no border.” said Tupac Enrique Acosta, of the Xicano-Nahuatl Nations.

The delegations from Arizona will join a continental Caravan for Peace and
Justice, arriving at the traditional southern doorway of Western Shoshone Nation
in Nevada to participate in a direct action of support for the Western
Shoshone Nation on May 28, 2006.

www.wsdp.org

###

TONATIERRA Press Release - Stop the Strake

be postponed? Weren't they going to calculate the damage from Divine Strake in an attempt to get the right mix of bunker-buster's for Iran's underground nuclear facilities?
Did the Indians win this round?

thanks kpete..

it anyways on the exact date, in order to throw off protestors and press.

Regardless, I find it interesting they're concerned about throwing up radiological debris, but NOT when they bomb Iranian nuke plants.

:shrug:

the planned protest.
Thanks, public pressure and the "microscope" on these policies have secured
a victory, for the moment. But as you know, this may be a temporary
decision. We are still going up to the Test Site to keep the focus on the "Divine
Strake" and the policies it represents. The threats to Iran continue, the
broken treaties with the Western Shoshone people, and to all our lives by these
senseless policies.


#2 Response

Yes, the "Divine Strake" test has been postponed "indefinitely" according to
the government. It's good to know that public pressure does achieve some
victories! But the administration shrinks back into the shadows and waits for
the next opportunity to come forward. They cannot be trusted. The Bush
administration is still threatening Iran and we need to keep up the pressure.
It is still important to go to the Test Site to show support for the
"downwinders" who have high cancer rates, the Western Shoshone for the broken treaties
and promises by the US government and against the production and deployment
of existing and new "bunker buster" nuclear weapons.

Is it a go or not?

Jeez, I was hoping it was NOT...

What's next?

So this is but a temporary victory

and when does the criminal administration take their next step?

In the dead of the night when they think we are not looking?

Oh, but we are looking....

We need to repost something.

Your connections are better than mine...

But I am ready and willing to fight this one with you...