Navy resists Sasebo call for nuclear drill

[unhappycamper]

Navy resists Sasebo call for nuclear drill
By Travis J. Tritten and Hana Kusumoto, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Thursday, October 2, 2008

SASEBO NAVAL BASE, Japan — Nearly two months after learning a U.S. submarine leaked minute amounts of radiation in its harbor, the city of Sasebo said it hopes to persuade the U.S. Navy this week to cooperate in local safeguards against accidents involving nuclear-powered vessels.

Sasebo Mayor Norio Tomonaga was scheduled to meet Thursday with Commander Naval Forces Japan and U.S. Embassy officials to urge participation in an annual nuclear disaster drill, according to the city’s base affairs official, Setsuo Kuga.

But officials at Sasebo Naval Base said Tuesday that participation is unlikely. The Navy has steadfastly stuck to its position that its nuclear vessels are safe enough that accident drills with Japan are not needed.

However, in advance of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington’s recent arrival to Yokosuka Naval Base, the Navy participated in a nuclear drill with the city of Yokosuka in November.

Concern has ratcheted up in Sasebo after it was discovered the USS Houston seeped small amounts of radioactive water during visits to Sasebo in March and April — amounts Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter called "undetectable by any mechanism" while visiting the base last week. The sub also leaked in Yokosuka, Okinawa and Guam.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=57808