(AP) SYDNEY, Australia
In a shocking revelation early this morning, a group of retired Australian nuclear technicians and physicists revealed the existence of a secret nuclear weapons program. Their claims were confirmed late this afternoon in a short statement by the belaguered Australian Defense Minister, Dr. Brendan Nelson, who had no choice in the face of the overwhelming proof offered by the group.
The train of documents leading back to the 1950s and the British nuclear program shows that every Australian government since PM Bob Menzies was in full co-operation with the plans to construct and mantain the small nuclear arsenal in secrecy. The arsenal, believed to consist of 30-40 low-yield weapons delivered by airstrike, is housed in several secure facilities in the Australian outback, in flagrant violation of a number of nuclear arms limitations treaties that Australia is a signatory to.
Rioting broke out in several Australian cities as anti-nuclear groups exploded in protest. Apart from the Defense Minister, no Government figures have been available to comment, with Cabinet deep in crisis talks and Prime Minister Howard nowhere to be seen. No federal Opposition leaders, nor leaders of close Australian allies such as the US and Britain have made any moves to comment on the situation. As international condemnations flood in, it seems that Australia is a nation on the verge of deep crisis.
