13 February 2007: for immediate release

The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament welcomed the apparent agreement reached at six-party talks in Beijing yesterday in which North Korea agreed to shut down its main nuclear reactor within 60 days in return for energy assistance and a promise from the US and Japan to normalise their relations with North Korea.

CND expressed optimism that the deal will come to fruition and expressed hope that this first step will lead to further developments toward the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

Kate Hudson, Chair of CND, said:

‘Yesterday’s deal shows that significant results can be achieved through dialogue and diplomacy. We encourage all sides to continue these negotiations in good faith and work tirelessly toward the ultimate goal of a nuclear-free Korean peninsula.’

CND, the Stop the War Coalition, and the British Muslim Initiative are organising a national demonstration in London on Saturday 24th February, calling for ‘No Trident’ and ‘Troops Home from Iraq.’ It is expected to be Britain’s largest anti-nuclear demonstration in decades.

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Notes to Editor:

1. For further information and interviews please contact Rick Wayman, CND’s Press & Communications Officer, on 0207 7002350 or 07968 420859
2. An ICM poll from June 2006 showed that 81% of the British public believes that any decision on Trident replacement should be made by Parliament, not the Prime Minister alone.
3. According to a July 2006 ICM poll, 59% of the British public opposes a replacement of Trident when presented with a cost of at least £25 billion.
4. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) is one of Europe’s biggest single-issue peace campaigns, with over 35,000 members in the UK. CND campaigns for the abolition of all nuclear weapons everywhere.