that it is impractical to discuss them hypothetically. However,
if private citizens want to aid in the recovery of stolen nuclear
material and the possibility of this assistance is deemed
worthwhile developing, some rudimentary understanding of all
aspects of the nuclear materials safeguards problem should be quite
widespread within the population. Again, this implies the need for
substantial efforts at public education.
Should the
Public Be Informed if a Major Nuclear Theft Has Occurred?
This issue,
which is perhaps the most perplexing of all related to recovery,
will arise inevitably as soon as a theft occurs. It is a major
policy issue which cannot properly be handled at the operational
level, and it is moreover, likely to be mishandled unless carefully
considered in advance of the event.
Of course, if
the public is expected to play a helpful role in recovery
operations, disclosure of the theft will be necessary. But if the
government believes there is nothing that private citizens can do
to help cope with the problem, does the government still have an
obligation to disclose the fact that a major nuclear theft has
occurred? Conversely, should the government attempt to suppress
news media disclosure of the theft if the media independently
discover that a major nuclear theft has occurred? These are
difficult questions, because the national security, the stability
of political institutions, and the personal security of large
numbers of private citizens, could all be affected.
It may be
argued that disclosure of information concerning a nuclear theft
might hamper recovery operations and escalate rather than dampen
the crisis. The critics of nuclear power might use the opportunity
to mount a fresh assault on the industry as a whole, the public
might panic, or both. In any event, disclosure would be an
extremely painful process for the nuclear industry and government
officials responsible for safeguards.
In favor of
disclosure, it may be argued that the public has a right to know
the basic facts concerning threats to national security. Moreover,
the fact of one or more successful nuclear thefts would
substantially alter the context within which safeguards policy
would be developed and implemented, perhaps especially measures
regarding responses to nuclear threats. On balance, official candor
seems to be the best policy, over the long run, although in certain
cases some delay in announcing a nuclear theft may be
justified.
Unless clear
guidelines concerning disclosure are developed in advance, the
strong tendency within government would probably be to attempt to
suppress information concerning nuclear thefts. In any event, this
issue should not be decided without public debate.