New Zealand's leadership needed in nuclear disarmament

A huge opportunity exists for New Zealand to show leadership in promoting nuclear disarmament in a new environment created by President Obama, Labour Leader Phil Goff said today.

"President Obama’s stated commitment to a world free of nuclear weapons creates new opportunities to push for the elimination of weapons of mass destruction," said Phil Goff, who was formerly Minister of Disarmament and Arms Control.

"For eight years the Bush administration opposed multi-lateral efforts to promote disarmament and saw first strike capability, missile defence and the use of tactical nuclear weapons as core defence policy.

"In an environment where nuclear disarmament talks stagnated, New Zealand was still able to play and important and leading role in disarmament.

"We won support at the United Nations from 130 countries in promoting the de-alerting of missiles to lessen the risk of mistaken launching of nuclear weapons.

"As one of six countries involved in the Oslo Process, we achieved a convention to ban the use of cluster munitions.

"Today the opportunity exists for us to go much further towards eliminating weapons of mass destruction.

"As a small but respected country with a proud track record of leading on disarmament issues, New Zealand should be working with like-minded nations to set a new agenda for disarmament and non-proliferation initiatives.

"At the President’s nuclear security summit next week, and at the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference in May, New Zealand should be at the forefront of promoting the implementation of the 13 steps towards disarmament agreed to at the 2000 Review Conference, but blocked at the subsequent 2005 conference.

"We should also be at the forefront of promoting UN General Secretary Ban Ki Moon’s call for a Convention to abolish nuclear weapons globally," Phil Goff said.