Computer trade risks neutrality

IRELAND’S little-known trade in computer software crucial for the development and maintenance of American and French nuclear weapons has prompted renewed questions about the role of a neutral state in programmes of this kind.

Given the current climate of random global terrorism, it has already sparked fears the projects could expose this country to terrorist attacks.

According to confidential documents seen by the Irish Examiner, the Galway-based Compaq group is fulfilling contracts for France’s nuclear programme as well as

supplying software for all three US nuclear weapons

laboratories at Los Alamos, Sandia and Lawrence Livermore.

As the equipment is tailor-made for nuclear systems it would be disingenuous to claim it could have a wide range of applications.

Leaving little room for doubt about its intended

purpose, the data is specifically aimed at the American “nuclear weapons stockpile’s safety, reliability and

performance”, while the French connection involves

“solving applications related to French nuclear weapon safety and security”.

In addition to manufacturing the well-known Compaq brand of personal computers, the 600-job Galway operation also includes a high-level team of specialists assigned with the task of developing super-computers for the nuclear weapons industry. Though the group was taken over earlier this year by Hewlett Packard, the nuclear contracts remain unaffected by the sale.

Ironically, the business has its roots in the 1995 decision of US President Bill Clinton to extend the moratorium on nuclear testing. Instead of putting the system on ice, America opted to further develop existing and new nuclear weapons through computer simulation while retaining its readiness to resume nuclear testing.

When Compaq won the contract to transform

America’s nuclear arsenal from a test-based approach to a simulated computer one, the Galway facility assumed a crucial role in ensuring that America’s nuclear weapons were not only advanced but that existing stockpiles

remained secure, operational and problem free.

It would be tantamount to putting one’s head in the sand to deny the potential undermining of Irish neutrality. Yet, despite boasting a comprehensive and transparent export control system, the Government’s stated

ignorance of the work lends further weight to repeated claims by Amnesty International that Ireland’s military export control system is open to serious question.

In keeping with established computer industry policy, when asked to clarify its position on the nuclear weapons issue, Compaq insisted the plant was only producing operating systems and had no control over what customers did with them.

However, given the specific nature of contractual documents seen by the Irish Examiner, it is disingenuous to plead difficulty in connecting investment in technology with the end use.

As the prospect of a war against Iraq looms ever closer, the Coalition is coming under strong criticism from the Green Party for allowing Shannon to be used for transporting military equipment to the Middle East.

By turning a blind eye to the production of computer simulators for the French and US nuclear weapons programmes, the Government is making a mockery of the principle of transparency in arms-related sales and risks jeopardising Ireland’s neutrality.