President Obama at the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty review conference
May 4th, 2010 - 3:44 am ICT by BNO NewsNEW YORK CITY (BNO NEWS) – President Barack Obama on Monday expressed his concern for the spread of nuclear weapons at the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) review conference at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Obama mentioned the significance of the NPT as it has represented collective efforts to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the past 40 years, noting the increasing pressure it has currently faced. “A year ago in Prague, I therefore made it a priority of the United States to strengthen each of the treaty’s key pillars as we work to stop the spread of nuclear weapons, and to pursue the peace and security of a world without them.”
Obama expressed the importance of the recently signed treaty between Russia and the U.S., as nations with nuclear weapons must fulfill NPT obligations in order to reach nuclear disarmament. He also pointed out the key role of nations without these weapons, and the objective of reaching peaceful nuclear energy.
“We will see whether nations without nuclear weapons will fulfill their obligation to forsake them. History shows that nations that pursue this path find greater security and opportunity as an integrated member of the international community. Nations that ignore their obligations find themselves less secure, less prosperous and more isolated. That is the choice nations must make.”
“Finally, we will work to ensure that nations that abide by their obligations can access peaceful nuclear energy. The United States is committed to this goal and will pursue a new framework for civil nuclear cooperation that permits nations that uphold their responsibilities to enjoy the peaceful uses of the atom.”
Obama concluded his participation by acknowledging the importance of each participating nation at the NPT. “Over the coming weeks, each of our nations will have the opportunity to show where we stand. Will we meet our responsibilities or shirk them? Will we ensure the rights of nations or undermine them? In short, do we seek a 21st century of more nuclear weapons or a world without them?”
“These are the questions we must answer, the challenges we must meet. At this conference and beyond, let us come together, in partnership, to pursue the peace and security that our people deserve,” he concluded.
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