Re: Secretary of Defense Reveals Earthquake and Volcano Weap
Agreement Bars Weather Manipulation
But there is a problem with turning theory into fact. Using weather as a weapon is a clear violation of international agreements. In 1977, the United Nations passed and the U.S. signed, a resolution that prohibits changing the weather for hostile purposes on the grounds that too many civilians could be harmed. So the U.S. military, which once seeded clouds in Vietnam to produce heavy rains along the Ho Chi Minh trail, can now only concentrate on better weather forecasting. “We want to anticipate and exploit the weather, not modify it.” says U.S. Air Force Director of Weather Brig. Gen. Fred Lewis.
But that does not mean the research has stopped. In the U.S. and in many other countries, the private sector continues to work on weather modification technology — work that could also be used on the battlefield. And as this research continues on, for example, cloud seeding techniques that produce heavy rain to help farmers in time of drought or laser technology that could clear heavy fog for passenger jets, the military is watching. Armies have never been able to conquer Mother Nature. But if new technology were to make that possible, researchers say it’s a weapon no military power could afford to be without.
Copyright ©1999 ABC News Internet Ventures.
so, on that note, one would assume that for there to be an agreement, the would have to be ability.
Agreement Bars Weather Manipulation
But there is a problem with turning theory into fact. Using weather as a weapon is a clear violation of international agreements. In 1977, the United Nations passed and the U.S. signed, a resolution that prohibits changing the weather for hostile purposes on the grounds that too many civilians could be harmed. So the U.S. military, which once seeded clouds in Vietnam to produce heavy rains along the Ho Chi Minh trail, can now only concentrate on better weather forecasting. “We want to anticipate and exploit the weather, not modify it.” says U.S. Air Force Director of Weather Brig. Gen. Fred Lewis.
But that does not mean the research has stopped. In the U.S. and in many other countries, the private sector continues to work on weather modification technology — work that could also be used on the battlefield. And as this research continues on, for example, cloud seeding techniques that produce heavy rain to help farmers in time of drought or laser technology that could clear heavy fog for passenger jets, the military is watching. Armies have never been able to conquer Mother Nature. But if new technology were to make that possible, researchers say it’s a weapon no military power could afford to be without.
Copyright ©1999 ABC News Internet Ventures.
so, on that note, one would assume that for there to be an agreement, the would have to be ability.
