Divine Strake editorial:

Hello,

I'm David D'Antuono Vice President general Manager of ABC4 TV. I'm speaking to you tonight on behalf of everyone here at ABC4 and ABC4 News. We want to express our gratitude to all the Utahns who made their voice heard on Divine Strake. We also thank you for your overwhelming support of ABC4's stance on this vital issue. I am personally a Cancer survivor of 8 years and share along with many Utahns and ABC4 employees, first hand knowledge of the ravages of this disease. It would have been irresponsible at best to stay silent on Divine Strake. It is our firm belief that we have adhered to the highest Journalistic standards and believe Terry Woods passionate and stirring commentary was handled well within those boundaries. With the cancellation of The Divine Strake weapons test together we have certainly rediscovered the power of an informed citizenry letting their leaders know how they feel to gain a change in policy for greater public good. I welcome your comments, and to share those thoughts with me by filling out the following form.


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Tell us what you think, using ABC 4's Divine Strake test forum and Terry Wood's Divine Strake blog.

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Cancellation of Proposed Divine Strake Experiment

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) has decided to cancel the proposed Divine Strake experiment. "I have become convinced that it's time to look at alternative methods that obviate the need for this type of large-scale test," said DTRA Director Dr. James A. Tegnelia. This decision was not based on any technical information that indicates the test would produce harm to workers, the general public, or the environment.

Divine Strake was a scientific experiment designed to significantly advance the nation's ability to defeat underground facilities that produce and store weapons of mass destruction. The experiment would have entailed detonating a large amount of a common blasting agent over an existing tunnel at the Nevada Test Site. It was to be the largest in a series of experiments that relied on the specific geology at that location.

DTRA will attempt to develop alternative scientific means for obtaining the important data that this experiment would have provided. Such methods to assess capabilities to defeat underground facilities do not currently exist. The agency will develop advanced analysis techniques and conduct confirmatory experiments at a much smaller scale to assist in developing new capabilities to defeat underground facilities.

There is a national consensus on the need to improve conventional capabilities to defeat underground targets that pose a threat to the United States. "DTRA remains committed to help develop non-nuclear means to defeat underground targets. I am optimistic that we will succeed," said Tegnelia.