US President Barack Obama set out his vision and strategy for ridding the world of nuclear weapons yesterday, vowing to involve all states with atomic weapons in the process of reducing arsenals.
Obama made it clear the US would still go ahead with plans to build a missile defense shield in Europe.
However, he said the driving force for this would be removed if the nuclear threat from Iran were eliminated.
PHOTO: AFP
Visiting the Czech capital on a trip marking his presidential debut on the world stage, Obama committed himself to reducing the US nuclear arsenal, bringing the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty into force and seeking tough penalties for countries that broke the rules on non-proliferation.
“The United States will take concrete steps towards a world without nuclear weapons,” he told a cheering crowd of more than 20,000 in Hradcanske Square outside the medieval Prague Castle.
“To put an end to Cold War thinking, we will reduce the role of nuclear weapons in our national security strategy and urge others to do the same,” Obama said, adding: “We will seek to include all nuclear weapons states in this endeavor.”
MISSILE SHIELD
The Czech Republic is one of two sites in eastern Europe earmarked for the planned US missile shield, which has angered Russia.
Former US president George W. Bush said the shield was necessary to counter threats from what he called rogue states such as Iran. The new administration has been less assertive in pushing the plan but has kept it alive for now.
In yesterday’s speech, Obama presented Iran — which he has sought to engage diplomatically — with a “clear choice” of halting its nuclear and ballistic missile activity or facing increased international isolation.
“As long as the threat from Iran persists, we intend to go forward with a missile defense system that is cost-effective and proven,” he said. “If the Iranian threat is eliminated, we will have a stronger basis for security and the driving force for missile defense construction in Europe at this time will be removed.”
Iran says it wants nuclear technology to generate electricity, not to use for weapons.
Sounding a note of realism, Obama said he did not expect overnight success in efforts to rid the world of nuclear arms.
“As long as these weapons exist, we will maintain a safe, secure and effective arsenal to deter any adversary, and guarantee that defense to our allies,” he said.
Obama said he would host a summit within a year on global nuclear security, covering issues such as preventing the smuggling of nuclear material and keeping atomic weapons out of the hands of terrorists.
PLEDGE
On Wednesday, Obama met Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on the sidelines of a G20 economic summit, where the two leaders pledged to pursue a new deal to cut nuclear warheads.
The call for renewed efforts to achieve global nuclear disarmament was expected to resonate in Europe, where anti-war sentiment had traditionally been strong because of its proximity to the Soviet bloc and the front line of the Cold War.
Earlier, Gary Samore, White House coordinator for arms control, said that yesterday’s North Korean rocket launch meant missile defense would remain a priority.
“The North Korean test illustrates the importance of continuing to develop missile defense in order to protect ... both the country and our allies in Asia,” Samore told reporters.
In Prague, Obama also planned to discuss climate change and energy security with the leaders of the 27 EU countries at a summit hosted by the Czech EU presidency.
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