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World dignitaries launch project to eliminate nuclear weapons
Former world leaders and arms-control negotiators have joined entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson and Jordan's Queen Rania to launch a project aimed at eliminating the world's nuclear weapons over the next 25 years.
- AP
- Published: 23:39 December 10, 2008
Paris: Former world leaders and arms-control negotiators have joined entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson and Jordan's Queen Rania to launch a project aimed at eliminating the world's nuclear weapons over the next 25 years.
The group wants to reach the impossible-sounding goal by reviving nuclear disarmament efforts that have lagged since the end of the Cold War. It is proposing deep cuts in US and Russian nuclear arsenals, a worldwide verification and enforcement system and phased reduction leading to elimination of all stockpiles.
"We have to set an example," Branson said Tuesday.
The group, called Global Zero, wants to start with US-Russian negotiations to cut back nuclear stockpiles.
Neglected
Then a second phase would bring in countries such as China, Britain and France. Finally, it hopes to attract other countries such as Iran - which the West fears is seeking nuclear arms. Tehran insists its nuclear programme is aimed at generating electricity.
Delegations from the group were due to go to Moscow for talks with Russian officials yesterday and are set to go to Washington today.
"For the past 18 years, the issue of nonproliferation was neglected," said Mikhail Margelov, chair of the foreign affairs committee in the Russian upper house of parliament.
"Any step forward would be great for Russian-US relations, because the current level of partnership is 'very low,' said Margelov.
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