[International Herald Tribune, France]

 

 

Le Figaro, France

Obama's Anti-Nuclear Crusade Will Mark His Presidency

 

"Barack Obama continues to pursue his long-term vision of a world free of nuclear weapons. It is an idealistic crusade that confronts many obstacles. But it is a deliberate choice. It has been placed at the heart of his diplomacy and will mark his presidency."

 

By Pierre Rousselin

                                 

 

Translated By Philippe Guittard

 

April 6, 2010

 

France - Le Figaro - Original Article (France)

President Barack Obama announces America's new nuclear weapons doctrine, Apr. 6.

 

BBC NEWS VIDEO: U.S. rethinks when and why it will use nuclear weapons, Apr. 6, 00:01:46RealVideo

The new doctrine of the United States on the use of nuclear weapons is primarily intended to take the initiative and more-effectively combat proliferation. The Pentagon announced yesterday that America would reduce the role of its nuclear deterrent in its military arsenal.

 

Washington isn't giving up modernizing its existing arsenal or the option of a first strike use of the ultimate weapon, but is ruling out the development of new warheads and is offering assurances that the atomic bomb will be utilized only under "extreme circumstances." It will not be used against an opponent that lacks them and which respects the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

 

This is the first time the United States has imposed such restrictions on itself. Barack Obama, once again, wanted to mark his differences with the administration of George W. Bush, who, in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, expanded options for resorting to nuclear weapons.

 

The limits of this kind of publicly declared doctrine are obvious [the doctrine is called the Nuclear Posture Review]. If an attack threatened their vital interests, the American authorities, like those of any other country, wouldn't limit their response due to an internal document. It is therefore a "nuclear posture" for foreign consumption in order to show the goodwill of the United States, which remains the world's leading nuclear power.

Posted by WORLDMEETS.US

 

 

The central objective is to isolate Iran and North Korea. Although signatories to the NPT, these countries have contravened or withdrawn from the treaty, so remain under explicit threat from the United States. Sparing other countries that join the NPT is meant to be an incentive for compliance with a treaty, the effectiveness of which has been contested and which is subject to revision next month.

 

The new doctrine comes on the eve of the signing in Prague of a new START disarmament agreement with Russia and just days before a Washington summit on nuclear security. Also being prepared is a withdrawal from Europe of U.S. tactical nuclear weapons, which could be ratified at the NATO summit in Lisbon next November.

 

Barack Obama continues to pursue his long-term vision of a world free of nuclear weapons. It is an idealistic crusade that confronts many obstacles. But it is a deliberate choice. It has been placed at the heart of his diplomacy and will mark his presidency.

 

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[Posted by WORLDMEETS.US April 7, 2:59pm]

 







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