Leaders warn of nuclear terror strike

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- There have been more alarming predictions of a nuclear terrorist strike in the United States, Australia or other Western countries, The Australian reports.

Speaking at an Australian-American Leadership Dialogue forum at the University of California Los Angeles, former California Gov. Pete Wilson and former New South Wales Premier Bob Carr warned of mounting evidence of a potential nuclear strike on a Western capital.

"The nightmare scenario is a real one -- the threat is very real," said Wilson, who served as governor of California from 1991 to 1999. "There is no question al-Qaida has been trying to obtain fissile material for a number of years."

Wilson said the Bush administration has correctly been focusing on prevention of a terrorist attack, particularly because recovering from a nuclear strike would present enormous challenges.

Carr, who stepped down as premier and Labor leader last year, agreed that predictions of a nuclear strike were not an alarmist view but were based on reasoned analysis.

"I have reached the conclusion that what all Western cities need now is comprehensive evacuation plans," Carr said.