The Guardian of London is reporting that the Bush administration has quietly disbanded an independent panel that reviews the development of the US nuclear arsenal. The decision to disband the national nuclear security administration advisory committee comes at a time when the Bush administration is seeking to develop a new generation of mini nukes and bunker buster bombs.

Democrat Congressman Ed Markey of Massachusetts said “The Bush administration is considering policy changes that will alter the role of nuclear weapons in national defence.

Markey went on to say ” Given the importance and sheer complexity of the issues raised … why was the only independent contemplative body studying nuclear weapons disbanded–and disbanded in such a surreptitious fashion?”