 Governments and U.N. respond to call for action to achieve nuclear weapons abolition The Organizing Committee of the World Conference against A & H Bombs has announced that 15 governments and the United Nations have expressed support for the 2004 World Conference's call for action to achieve the elimination of nuclear weapons. The World Conference specifically sent letters to governments throughout the world calling on them to implement the promise they made at the 2000 NPT Review Conference to act to eliminate nuclear weapons. The letter specifically called for negotiations to be started on an international treaty for the elimination of nuclear weapons. Presented below are excerpts from some of the letters responding to the letter from the 2004 World Conference: Prime Minister Goran Perssson (Sweden) : Seven years ago, Brazil, Egypt, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand and Sweden joined together in a New Agenda Coalition to work towards a security order where nuclear weapons would no longer be given a role. In the 2000 Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty Review Conference, this coalition was actively involved in the negotiations leading to the unequivocal undertaking of the nuclear powers to totally eliminate their nuclear arsenals and the adoption of a practical plan for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament. Since then, regrettably, very little had happened. This makes it all the more important that next years Review Conference will be successful in safeguarding and further developing the agreements reached in 2000. I can assure you that Sweden will make its utmost in order to contribute to a successful outcome of the Conference. President Ludwig D. Scotty (Republic of Nauru): Please be advised that being one of the smallest republic on the global scene, Nauru is very committed to fight against the use and transportation of nuclear materials where human lives are concerned. We are also committed to rally against the global greenhouse effect that affects sea rise levels. I would therefore, assure our very support to all circumstances in relation to issue under concern in this regard. Maurits Jochems, Director, Security Policy Department (The Netherlands): The next NPT Review Conference will be crucial in the multilateral efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation and, in the end, realize disarmament. I therefore appreciate your initiative to convince governments around the world of the need to take action. M. Bredeson, Executive Correspondence Officer (Canada): Please be assured that your comments, offered on behalf of the World Conference Against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs, along with the document you enclosed, have been carefully reviewed. The Canadian government's longstanding policy objective is the non-proliferation, reduction and elimination of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. You may be assured that we will work steadily, persistently and energetically in order to achieve this outcome. I have taken the liberty of forwarding a copy of your correspondence to the Honourable Pierre Pettigrew, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to whom your comments will also be of interest. Vesna Burda - By authorisation of the Chief of Staff of the Office of the President (Republic of Croatia):We have carefully examined and taken note of the enclosed letter addressed to all governments of the world and the Declaration and express our support to your endeavours for abolition of nuclear weapons. Josper Vahr, Head of Security Policy Department , Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Denmark) : Arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation are all important issues. Denmark has a long-standing commitment in this area and has signed the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention and the Chemical Weapons Convention. We are committed to the full implementation of these treaties. Furthermore, Denmark has ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban- Treaty. The Danish government shares your organizations' objective: A world free of nuclear weapons. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Republic of Trinidad and Tobago): Trinidad and Tobago welcomes your efforts in representing the interests of the Conference which was attended by sixty-six overseas delegates from twenty four countries and more than ten thousand Japanese participants. We are encouraged by the level of participation which makes it clear that the goal of a world free of nuclear weapons is achievable. Finally, I wish further to extend the support of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for the next Non Proliferation Treaty Review Conference to be held in New York, May 2005 and for any efforts dedicated to the abolition of nuclear weapons. Marian L. Hobbs , Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control (New Zealand): I m aware you had a meeting with my official in New York last month. They have told me that they found the interaction very useful. I believe that you were interested in any new initiatives in New Zealand in disarmament education. You may be interested in my recently announced support for New Zealand NGOs involved in disarmament education (www.dia.govnt.nz). You will by now have seen the New Agenda resolution (attached) which is intended to uphold and safeguard the Non-Proliferation Treaty in its entirety, together with the commitments made at the previous two review conferences, including the unequivocal undertaking to which you refer. Roland Marxer ,Director (Principality of Liechtenstein): We have taken due note of this Declaration and we can assure you that Liechtenstein supports all endeavours aimed at abolishing nuclear weapons. Nobuyasu Abe, Under Secretary General for Disarmament Affairs (United Nations): As you may know, the United Nations General Assembly, bearing in mind that nuclear weapons pose the most serious threat to mankind, adopts every year a number of key resolutions calling for the elimination of nuclear weapons. On the basis of relevant mandates arising from those resolution, the Department for Disarmament Affairs assists and supports Member States in their efforts in the area of disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. Furthermore, the 2005 NPT Review Conference in May will afford States Parties a timely opportunity to renew their commitment to the total elimination of nuclear arsenals leading to nuclear disarmament. I wish to thank your Organization for its support of the work of the United Nations and for its valuable contribution in promoting nuclear disarmament. Advocacy by civil society is an important element in helping the United Nations in achieving international peace and security. (end) |