o the Editor:
Re "The Mullahs and the Bomb," by Gary Milhollin (Op-Ed, Oct.
23):
Iran's promise to suspend its uranium enrichment program is no
guarantee against future resumption at its known facilities and
surely fails to protect against its proclivity to build clandestine
plants and accept inspections only after being found out.
It is surprising, then, that Mr. Milhollin gives the green light
to completion of the Bushehr nuclear power plant by Russia if Iran
can be persuaded to dismantle all plants that can make fuel for
weapons.
Even if Iran agrees to let Russia remove spent fuel, this
reactor, which produces plutonium as well as electricity, and others
that European suppliers are itching to build, will have an operating
life of 30-plus years. A lot of mischief in the name of "atoms for
peace" can take place in that time.
PAUL LEVENTHAL
Washington, Oct. 23, 2003
The writer is founding president of the Nuclear Control
Institute.
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