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Evidence submitted by George Robertson

SEPTEMBER 2011

… When as this country’s Defence Secretary, in the 1998 Strategic Defence Review, I made the biggest ever unilateral reductions in our deterrent strength, so that our country now has the smallest stockpile of nuclear warheads and is the only nuclear weapons state with a single system, there was absolutely no reciprocation and today the Chinese are substantially increasing its nuclear forces and Russia is upgrading its strategic nuclear capability.

There was no benign chain reaction, no reversal of proliferation and it was not because the nuclear weapons states had dragged heels on NPT obligations but because these new states had their own and usually local reasons for acquiring nukes. North Korea in relation to China. India in relation to Pakistan and vice vera. Iraq (under Sadaam) and Iran in relation to each other, and Israel in relation to both…

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Attachment(s)

evidence_submitted_by_george_robertson_0.pdf

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Sir Jeremy Greenstock, GCMG British diplomat

“At a time when transatlantic relationships are under tension, BASIC's role as a source of authoritative analysis is more important than ever.”

Baron Rees of Ludlow Astronomer Royal

“BASIC makes a vital contribution to sustaining recognition that nearly 35 years after the end of the Cold War nuclear weapons continue to put at risk the future of humankind. BASIC is especially to be commended for doing this by fostering dialogue and understanding.”

Peter Jenkins CMG UK Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency 2001-06

``For about 35 years, in the pursuit of nuclear disarmament, BASIC have championed the cause of mutuality of security. Their ability to engage diversity of views and opinion has attracted deserved admiration.``

Baron Browne of Ladyton Vice Chairman, Nuclear Threat Initiative and former UK Secretary of State for Defence

``For more than three decades, BASIC has challenged conventional thinking on national security matters, and inspired new ways of addressing and solving old problems. I expect it to continue to play this vital role for decades to come.``

Andreas Persbo Director, Open Nuclear Network
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