Nimitz issue

A friendly nuclear visit?

By Galileo

It is typically Indian to react. As the USS Nimitz docks off the Chennai port on a friendly visit, mainly for 'rest and recreation' as is given to understand, people in all parts of the country are hopping about over an issue that should have been taken up days in advance of its coming.
Nimitz is a nuclear-powered vessel - a floating city by itself. There remains a possibility that it is carrying nuclear warheads.
Now the issue is about a possibility of a nuclear accident aboard the vessel that may affect thousands of Chennai residents.
I just can't see the point in raising issues about the safety of a nuclear-powered vessel making a port call just a few days before it came in.
That too, over the possibility of a nuclear accident when it is docked.
The possibility remains. But that probability is about the same as any Indian reactor re-enacting a Chernobyl.
If at all there are people raising questions about the safety, they are right in a way. But that should have been pointed out to the Indian government well in advance.
People who nurture fears are justified.
Greenpeace and the Institute of Policy Studies, USA, conducted a study in 1989 revealing that this very same USS Nimitz had reported an official nuclear reactor leak on May 11, 1979.
The study also points out at least 50 nuclear warheads and nine nuclear reactors lying on the ocean bed due to various accidents concerning nuclear-powered warships.
Several years ago, New Zealand had refused permission to a US nuclear powered ship to dock at one of its ports. An expert from that country named Dr Peter Willis had analysed a secret document of the US Navy, termed only as OPNAVINST 3040.58, that he had procured. He had submitted this to New Zealand's committee on nuclear propulsion in 1992 to prove that US reserved full rights to determine whether a nuclear accident did take place on board any of its nuke-powered ships and whether to share that information with the host government.
The US government's take on this is that the host government should be notified of any accident involving the reactor during a port visit. But the US Navy instructs the commanders to reserve their judgment and to first gauge the public reaction and only them decide accordingly whether or not to inform host authorities.
Given this, do you think a nuclear accident on board the Nimitz would make its commander confide with the Indian government or even the local authorities? Even if this is a friendly visit?
And given the possibilities that have been expressed by various people including some retired senior officials involved with India's nuclear programme over fears of leaks, how would one know that radiation-related malignancies subsequently occurring have anything to do with USS Nimitz?
Just plain waking up late I would say. Just so typically Indian.
Meanwhile, the high-and-mighty of the Chennai residents are queuing up to participate in the US Independence Day celebration on board USS Nimitz itself.
Howazzat!!!