The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern T.D. today said that the threat of international terrorism had deflected attention away from the pressing issue of nuclear disarmament. Speaking in Dublin, Minister Ahern said there needed to be renewed focus on nuclear disarmament despite the pressing issue of terrorism.
Addressing a nuclear disarmament conference at Dublin Castle which attracted delegates from around the world, Minister Ahern stated: “In the aftermath of the Cold War, such threats as international terrorism and climate change have often been seen as demanding more urgent attention than nuclear weapons. But the risks remain very great. There is a growing realisation that maintaining a strong international coalition on non-proliferation requires credible and effective action on disarmament. I welcome the return over the past year of serious debate on nuclear disarmament, particularly in the nuclear weapons states.
“Ireland’s highest priority in the area of disarmament and non-proliferation has been support for efforts to strengthen the non proliferation treaty and ensure full respect for all its provisions. The treaty remains the only multilateral legally binding commitment by the nuclear weapon States to nuclear disarmament.”
“Commitments undertaken by all Non Proliferation States in 1995 and 2000 must be taken forward and implemented, including further steps to reduce and eliminate nuclear weapons and to ensure the entry into force of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
“Maintaining a strong international coalition on non-proliferation requires credible and effective action on disarmament. I welcome the return over the past year of serious debate on nuclear disarmament, particularly in the nuclear weapons states.”
“Universal nuclear disarmament remains a central plank of Ireland’s foreign policy. I believe that, after a period where this objective seemed impossibly remote, the tide may be starting to turn. But if we are indeed to make progress in this direction it is vital that those of us who share that goal make every effort to ensure that the necessary preparations are in place.”
