Prominent anti-nuclear politicians will join CND in a parliamentary meeting this evening to highlight the threats posed by the development of new nuclear weapons and policy of pre-emptive strikes. The meeting comes on the day that George Bush officially signs in to being a 0 billion defence budget. His signature marks the first time since the cold war that the US defence budget has gone over 0 billion. The meeting also coincides with the IAEA’s expected approval of a compromise proposal between the United States and Europe to condemn Iran's nuclear programme and comes one week after the US Congress allocated 7.5 million dollars to study the feasibility of the so-called Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator and to bolster the readiness at the Nevada nuclear test site.

The meeting takes place 7pm in the Grand Committee Room in the House of Commons and speakers include:

- Elfyn Llwyd (Plaid Cymru spokesperson on defence)
- Jenny Jones (the Deputy Mayor of London)
- Kate Hudson (CND Chair)
- and anti-nuclear MPs Llew Smith, Jeremy Corbyn, Alice Mahon and Alan Simpson

The event, entitled, “No new nukes - no pre-emptive war” will examine the US’s research and development of new breeds of nuclear weapons that can actually be used on the battlefield – known to some as mini-nukes and bunker busters. Speakers will also confront the current US and UK policy of pre-emptive war and nuclear first strike policies, and discuss the potential consequences for the UK and beyond.

Kate Hudson, Chair of CND, who is speaking at the meeting, said,

“The signs are there in the newspapers – the threats of nuclear proliferation and nuclear first use are real and massive military budgets, wars on terror or new nuclear weapons are not going to secure stability. It is imperative that we get informed, lobby our own government and oppose the development of new nukes as hard as we can. The US must put the nuclear button away once and for all."

The meeting is open to all.

ENDS

Notes
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