The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament warmly welcomed President Obama’s speech on nuclear weapons in Prague today. CND welcomed the reinforcement of the committments anounced earlier in the week by Presidents Obama and Medvedev. Of particular signficance is President Obama’s determination to ensure US ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty – a step much welcome by Russia – and the new intention to support a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty. Previous US administrations had not supported a Treaty banning the production of fissile – or nuclear explosive – material. Progress on these initaitives will open the way towards the ultimate goal of ‘global zero’.
Kate Hudson, Chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament said “These additional concrete steps towards resolving the global dangers of nuclear weapons are very welcome. They have long been the demands of not only of the disarmament movement, but the vast majority of states. They are a welcome addition to Presidents Obama and Medvedev’s determination to rapidly conclude a relplacement for the START treaty. This is an indication of their firm intention to make progress on substantial bilateral reductions. This process, which had stalled during the Bush years is being brought back to life under the Obama Presidency.”