US experts debate 'mini-nukes' [View All]

By David Bamford BBC correspondent in Washington

Defence officials in the United States say that a one-day conference on nuclear weapons is taking place at the Strategic Air Command headquarters in Nebraska.

Arms control groups say the conference is to discuss whether to build a new generation of nuclear bombs, known as "mini-nukes", capable of destroying underground bunkers.

President Bush's rival in the 2000 elections, Al Gore, has been speaking against further nuclear weapons development.

The meeting in Nebraska is taking place behind closed doors and the group of demonstrators who have turned up there are being kept well away.

A leaked Pentagon agenda indicates the defence officials and military scientists are discussing the viability of what are being called mini-nukes. ---

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