Swiss Government Again Declines to Sign Nuclear Weapons Treaty
BERN, Switzerland | 28 March 2024 (IDN | swissinfo.ch) —The Swiss government is sticking to its guns: it still does not want to sign and ratify the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). It reckons participation within the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is more effective.
A change of strategy at the present time is not advisable for several reasons, the government said on Wednesday. Ministers explained that joining the TPNW was not in Switzerland’s best interests in the current climate, in which a new war in Europe has once again brought security policy to the fore.
“Oppenheimer” Brings the Harsh Reality of Nuclear Doomsday – Warns UN Chief
By Thalif Deen
UNITED NATIONS, 25 March 2024 (IDN)— The award-winning movie “Oppenheimer”, based on the life of Robert Oppenheimer, credited with having helped the creation of the atomic bomb, has once again turned the spotlight on the longstanding campaign for nuclear disarmament—and the deaths and devastation caused by one of the world’s most destructive weapons.
When the US dropped two bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, the world had never experienced such a monumental human disaster.
Non-Nuclear Weapons States Slate P5 Members for Inaction on Disarmament
By ICAN
NEW YORK | 20 March 2024 (IDN) — The United Nations Security Council convened on 18 March a ministerial meeting on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, chaired by Japan, the Council’s March President. In their statements, the permanent members of the Security Council (P5) promised little by way of meaningful action on disarmament. However, certain non-nuclear-armed states, including Algeria, Ecuador, Guyana, Malta, Mozambique, and Sierra Leone, more clearly articulated the vision held by the world’s majority.
Is There a Way Out of Nuclear Stalemate?
By Ramesh Jaura
BERLIN | 16 March 2024 (IDN) — Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has entered the third year. President Vladimir Putin has been threatening the use of nuclear weapons. Republican Presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump, doubled down his threat and appeared to invite Putin to invade any NATO member failing to meet the 2 per cent of GDP target for defence spending.
Papua New Guinea Ratifies CTBT, Advancing Treaty Universalisation in Pacific
NEW YORK | 16 March 2024 (IDN | CTBTO) — Papua New Guinea has become the 178th State to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). As a State Party to both the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the Treaty of Rarotonga, Papua New Guinea had already committed to fulfilling the core obligation of the CTBT by refraining from conducting any nuclear explosions.
By Herbert Wulf*
BONN, Germany | 5 March 2024 (IDN) — During the last week of February, an international conference in support of Ukraine was held in Paris at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. The reason for this meeting was growing concern about the possible success of Russia’s aggression. War-weariness in Western countries, lack of supplies for Ukraine, blockades of military aid in the US Congress, Russian territorial gains, albeit minimal, etc. – Macron wanted to send a signal by showing unity about continued aid for Ukraine. He insisted that “nothing should be excluded”. With this strategic ambiguity, Macron used a deliberate approach that creates uncertainty for Russia about NATO’s possible reactions.
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