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UN chief urges progress in stalled global disarmament talks
Geneva (AFP) Jan 23, 2008 UN chief Ban Ki-moon warned Wednesday that stalled disarmament talks at a key negotiating body that includes 65 states must move forward in order to prevent arms races. The secretary general, speaking at the opening of the 2008 Conference on Disarmament, said the body had achieved major successes in the past, but was now "in danger of losing its way". "The Conference on Disarmament has accomplished a great deal, but its successes are distant memories," he said of the body. "I am deeply troubled by this impasse," he said, calling for "top-level political leadership and cooperation" to overcome disagreements. The conference, whose past accomplishments include the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, has been deadlocked for more than 10 years because of disagreement between developing countries and nuclear powers, mainly the United States. Developing countries want a nuclear disarmament calendar and the prevention of an arms race in space as priorities, while the United States favours a treaty on fissile materials, which can be used to make weapons. Ban expressed his "full support for the start of negotiations on a fissile material treaty". "These talks would advance nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation objectives," he said. He highlighted, however, the importance of also preventing a space arms race. "You must decide how to organise your treatment of these issues without holding any of them hostages to the others," he said. Ban said disarmament would lead to reduced global tensions, allowing states to free up resources for development. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com All about missiles at SpaceWar.com Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com
US To Invest More In Nuclear Security Part One
Moscow (UPI) Jan 22, 2008 Starting in 2008, the U.S. defense budget will feature allocations for protection against nuclear terrorism. This will ensure the safe storage of radioactive substances in the United States and in other nations, and it will also facilitate operations against terrorist groups attempting to lay their hands on nuclear weapons. (Next: The "dirty bomb" threat) |
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