PRESS RELEASE
Blair backs US nuclear deal with India
'A disaster for non-proliferation and disarmament' says CND
9 September 2005: for immediate release
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) has condemned Tony Blair for
endorsing George Bush's decision to extend nuclear technology cooperation
with India. CND chair Kate Hudson described the deal as “a disaster
for non-proliferation and disarmament.” and condemned the Primes
Minister for “demonstrating yet again his inability to separate
UK foreign policy from George Bush’s rogue agenda.” She accused
Tony Blair of “putting the US’s strategic interests ahead
of international peace and security.”
The US has undermined its treaty obligations in doing a deal with India
and agreeing to share nuclear technology. India has continually refused
to sign up to the Non-Proliferation Treaty. A total of 187 states have
joined the Treaty, including the five declared nuclear-weapon States (US,
Russia, UK, China and France). The treaty works as a deal between the
nuclear and non-nuclear states. The nuclear states agree to work towards
abolition and the non-nuclear weapons states agree not to develop nuclear
weapons. Only countries signed up to the treaty are allowed to share nuclear
power technology. The US and UK are giving de facto recognition to India
as a nuclear weapon state and in doing so are legitimising a dangerous
nuclear situation.
Kate Hudson, Chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament said,
“The Prime Minister has demonstrating yet again his inability to
separate UK foreign policy from George Bush’s rogue agenda. He is
putting the US’s strategic interests ahead of international peace
and security. This deal legitimises India’s nuclear status. The
US is showing a flagrant disregard for international treaty obligations.
The message from the US and UK is clear - countries are free to go nuclear
if they fit in with the US’s present foreign policy objectives.
International treaties and global stability are being undermined in favour
of short term unilateral actions. This is a disaster for non-proliferation
and disarmament.”
In 1998 India conducted five nuclear tests. Pakistan followed suit by
conducting its first nuclear bomb tests, six in all. In 2002 the tensions
worsened and there were fears that the two countries were days away from
nuclear war. The nuclear situation has improved but both sides continue
to conduct tests of their ballistic missiles which are capable of carrying
a nuclear warhead.
end
Notes to Editor:
1. For further information and interviews please contact Ruth Tanner
CND's Press & Communications Officer on 0207 7002350 or 07968 420859
2. CND briefing on India and Pakistan’s nuclear capability
http://www.cnduk.org/pages/binfo/indpak.html
3. Blair backs improved nuclear cooperation with India http://politics.guardian.co.uk/foreignaffairs/story/0,11538,1566218,00.html
4. CNDS report to NPT review Conference May 2005 - http://www.cnduk.org/pages/campaign/NPT05.pdf
5. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) is one of Europe’s
biggest single-issue peace campaigns, with over 32,000 members in the
UK. CND campaigns for the abolition of all nuclear weapons everywhere.
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