By: ATN News
UNHQ, New York: Delegates addressing the growing worldwide dangers presented by nuclear weapons turned the debate in the United Nations First Committee ( Disarmament and International Security) soberly. Speaking for the Non-Aligned Movement, Indonesia warned sharply that a new nuclear arms race is under way worldwide. Considered as triggers for this alarming trend were extended deterrence and nuclear-sharing agreements, which some countries use to support their security policies. Targeting Israel's alleged nuclear capability, Indonesia also demanded that the nation stop receiving nuclear-related supplies and denounced recent threats made by Israeli officials on the possible use of nuclear weapons.
Speaking for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons signatories (TPNW), Kazakhstan's representative fiercely questioned the idea that nuclear deterrence provides justifiable security. Actually, he said, this theory simply raises the likelihood of nuclear proliferation and drives mankind toward disaster. Austria, whose delegate underlined that long-term nuclear modernization projects cast a shadow over world security and nuclear deterrence plays a disturbing role in Russia's war in Ukraine, echoed this attitude.
With delegates from the Netherlands, Germany, and France denouncing Moscow's reduction of the nuclear threshold and its careless rhetoric, Russia's aggressive nuclear posture dominated the debate. The European Union joined in the criticism, noting especially worrisome Russia's recent nuclear activities with Belarus and the deployment of nuclear weapons on Belarusian territory.
While underlining its will to stop nuclear proliferation, the United States expressed worries about China and Russia. Washington called out China's fast nuclear growth and lack of openness as well as Russia's breach of the New START Treaty and use of nuclear threats to scare Western nations.
Another center of discussion was Iran's nuclear activities. Israel cautioned Iran that its program of uranium enrichment was pushing the nation toward nuclear weapon capability. Other nations expressed similar worries and pushed Tehran back toward diplomacy. With demands for the dismantling of North Korea's weapons programs, its continuous nuclear developments also attracted strong criticism.
It was abundantly evident as the session came to end that world concern about nuclear proliferation is at an all-time level. Many delegates pushed for fresh diplomatic initiatives and deliberate actions to lower the nuclear threat before it runs out of hand. Larger and requiring immediate worldwide cooperation to prevent the worst is the shadow of a possible nuclear catastrophe.
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