Disarmament

Iran update: number 133

Summary

  • Iran looks ready to accept invitation from P5+1, remains adamant about its right to continue its nuclear program
  • US announces that it will participate fully in P5+1 nuclear talks with Iran
  • Presidential candidate in Iran suggests that he may support verification measures
  • Officials from Obama administration reveal latest developments in Iran policy deliberations
  • Iran plans to launch another, more sophisticated satellite
  • Iran proclaims progress in its nuclear production capabilities, but analysts express skepticism

PM Brown calls for increased global commitment to disarmament

On March 17 UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown delivered a speech before the International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Conference at Lancaster House in London. Expanding the agenda of the upcoming G20 Summit beyond repairing the global economy, he emphasized the need to take a “broader view” and work to establish a “new global society.” Central to this proposal was for nations to cooperate in reducing nuclear arsenals.

Zero: Creating the conditions for abolishing nuclear weapons

David Miliband, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, gave a speech yesterday at IISS, London, for the presentation of a governmental survey on the conditions for abolishing nuclear weapons. Overall, it was not a groundbreaking speech. However, it is worthwhile noting that the Secretary of State stressed two main points:

US General says UK to get rid of Trident

The statement from Gen Jack Sheehan that the UK government is about to give up its nuclear deterrent took some by surprise over here in London when it was broadcast as part of Gordon Corera's fascinating report on BBC's prime-time World Tonight radio programme. No one has seriously suggested this likelihood beyond some vague hope, not anytime in the very near future at any rate. There is too much political baggage here for the Labour Party for logical consideration. What would a US General know about UK government intentions?