Sir, - Our association, like the Irish Medical Campaign for the Prevention of Nuclear War and many other international groups, is concerned about the possibility that Y2K-related computer failure in nuclear weapons systems may lead to an unacceptable risk of nuclear war by accident or miscalculation.
Because none of the nuclear weapons states can guarantee that its nuclear related computer systems are Y2K-compliant, the only responsible solution is for them all to stand down nuclear operations. This should include taking nuclear weapons off alert status and decoupling nuclear warheads from delivery vehicles.
We strongly urge that all strategic and tactical nuclear weapons are removed from "hair trigger" alert and placed in a status where at least hours and preferably days would be required to launch them.
The immediate stakes are so high and the potential for global catastrophe so clear, that mutually verified de-alerting in the face of the Y2K computer problem must take precedence over all other considerations of politics and national security. - Yours, etc.,
Dr Elizabeth Cullen, CoChair, Irish Doctors Environmental Association, Killarney, Co Kerry.