Nuclear Abolition News . Analysis . Features

Nuclear Abolition News | IPS

By GARETH PORTER

WASHINGTON (IPS) - In 1998, the Defence Department vetoed a delegation of prominent U.S. nuclear specialists to go to Iran to investigate its nuclear programme at the invitation of the government of newly-elected Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, according to the nuclear scientist who was organising the mission.

The Pentagon objected to the delegation’s mission even though it was offered the option of including one or more scientists of its own choosing on the delegation, according to Dr. Behrad Nakhai, the nuclear scientist who was organising it.

The Pentagon veto of the nuclear scientists’ delegation eliminated the Khatami government’s most promising initiative to promote a thaw in U.S.-Iran relations by weakening a key U.S. argument for viewing Iran as a threat.

Nuclear Abolition News | IDN

By NEENA BHANDARI

SYDNEY (IDN) - Australia and New Zealand have entered into a scientific and technical cooperation agreement to strengthen detection of nuclear explosions under the framework of the international Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and work together to promote a permanent and effective ban on nuclear weapon tests. [P] JAPANESE TEXT VERSION PDF

Nuclear Abolition News | IDN

By J C SURESH

TORONTO (IDN) - Negotiations for a proposed conference on ridding the Middle East of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction would be difficult and the path would be long, but the "prize" – the security of the region and the world – would be worth the time and effort, the United Nations General Assembly's (UNGA's) First Committee dealing with Disarmament and International Security has been told.

Nuclear Abolition News | IDN

By RAMESH JAURA

BERLIN (IDN) - A veil of silence and secrecy has shrouded the fate of a conference on the establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction in 2012, since the UN announced on October 14, 2011 that Finland will host it. The veil slowly lifting now corresponds to the "wall of silence" in Israel, which Israeli anti-nuke activist Sharon Dolev is persistently trying to break – with some success. [P] ARABIC TEXT VERSION PDF | GERMAN | JAPANESE TEXT VERSION PDF | SPANISH

Nuclear Abolition News | FPIF

By JEANNE KAY*

WASHINGTON DC - Only a few weeks after Francois Hollande's election, former Socialist Prime Minister Michel Rocard came up with an original budget-balancing solution: if France chose to relinquish its nuclear arsenal, he argued, “16 billion euros that serve absolutely no purpose” could be saved over five years.

Apparently unimpressed, Minister of Defense Jean-Yves Le Drian immediately retorted that the nuclear bomb was essential to the nation's security: “We won't be miserly about our life-insurance,” he declared.

Nuclear Abolition News | IDN

By J C SURESH

TORONTO (IDN) - A group of non-nuclear weapon states has expressed its resolve to move ahead with practical steps to advance the implementation of the 2010 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference Action Plan ('Action Plan') and to pursue the goal of a nuke-free world.

Nuclear Abolition News | IPS

By THALIF DEEN

UNITED NATIONS (IPS) - When world leaders packed their bags and headed home, there was one lingering memory of the General Assembly’s high-level debate: Benjamin Netanyahu’s dramatic presentation on Sep. 27 of a cartoonish nuclear red line, which hit the front pages of most mainstream newspapers in the United States. [P]  ARABIC | CHINESE TEXT VERSION PDF | GERMAN | JAPANESE TEXT PDF |TURKISH

Nuclear Abolition News | IDN

By JAMSHED BARUAH

VIENNA (IDN) - Since the then Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru called for a "standstill agreement" on nuclear testing on April 2, 1954, 183 out of 196 states around the world have signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) that bans atomic explosions by everyone, everywhere: on the Earth's surface, in the atmosphere, underwater and underground. [P] ARABIC TEXT VERSION PDF |  GERMAN | JAPANESE TEXT VERSION PDF | SPANISH

Nuclear Abolition News | IPS 

By HAIDER RIZVI

UNITED NATIONS (IPS) - The United States and a small group of other nuclear-armed nations are apparently coming under increasing pressure to accept the international community’s resolve to legally ban nuclear testing without delay. [P] GERMAN | JAPANESE TEXT VERSION PDF

Nuclear Abolition NewsViewpoint | IDN

By ALYN WARE*

NEW YORK (IDN) - The ATOM Project, an exciting new initiative to build global support for nuclear abolition, was launched at a parliamentary assembly in Astana, Kazakhstan on August 29, the International Day Against Nuclear Tests.

The project, entitled Abolish Testing: Our Mission (ATOM), highlights the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of the use of nuclear weapons – particularly the nuclear tests conducted in Kazakhstan that have adversely affected the health and lives of nearly 2 million people. The images of the survivors, though sometimes difficult to witness, are featured in the campaign in order to raise awareness surrounding the damage nuclear testing can cause.