TRIDENT MISSILES
From the desk of MD
PRIME MINISTER GORDON BROWN seems set to endorse President Barack Obama’s ambitious goal of removing nuclear weapons from the world. According to the final draft of a resolution to be put to a rare UN summit of the five permanent members of the Security Council, the leaders will seek to resolve “a safer world for all and to create the conditions for a world without nuclear weapons”.
In a show of support for President Obama’s recent attempts to withdraw nuclear arsenals, Gordon Brown is expected, tomorrow, to unveil plans that will reduce the number of Trident nuclear submarines from four to three. Mr. Obama convened the extraordinary summit-level session of the Security Council – which also includes France, Russia and China – to give extra impetus and momentum in his mission to denuclearise the world as the crisis surrounding Iran and North Korea, both intent on acquiring atomic weapons, appears to be deepening.
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The American President first proclaimed his dream of a nuclear-free world in a speech in Prague at the end of March. For his proposal (now) to be adopted formally by the UN Security Council amounts to a significant endorsement by the world’s leading powers. In addition, Mr. Obama’s stance is gaining rapid support amongst the non permanent members of the council, including Libya, which was, until recently, an aspiring nuclear state.
IN BRITAIN, the Trident programme is due to be upgraded at a cost of around £25-billion, approved by the former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair. Britain’s stock of warheads has already been reduced by 20%; scrapping one nuclear submarine would not mean, though, it could cut-back further as the Government’s policy is to retain the minimum number needed for an effective deterrent. Whilst the decision to downsize Britain’s nuclear submarine fleet is one for the full UK Cabinet, Mr. Brown’s plan looks certain to be approved. The perception that Britain is playing its full part in global disarmament talks is an important one, as well as saving up to £5-billion. Savings from Trident seem certain to part of the Government’s public spending cuts to be used in balancing the nation’s books.
Critics argue and describe Trident as a Cold War relic, and will be disappointed by Britain’s continued commitment in retaining its independent nuclear deterrent. However, that is likely to remain “non-negotiable” because of the threat that a rogue state like Iran might acquire, or even use nuclear weapons.
THE RESOLUTION makes reference, and applauds, the continued efforts between the US and Russia in cutting their arsenals further as they negotiate the 1991 START treaty that is soon to expire. As in Prague, the resolution sets to reaffirm the importance of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which comes up for review next May. Continued caution is given that nuclear materials might fall into the hands of terrorist groups.
The proposed resolution also contains clear and explicit warnings to both Iran and North Korea as they continue to defy calls to relinquish their covert nuclear programmes. The document states:
…particular concern at the current major challenges to the non-proliferation regime;
and, demands:
… the parties concerned comply fully with their obligations.
The naming of either country was thwarted by Russia and China. The stand-off with Iran remains contentious and threatens to eclipse the adoption of the resolution.
Portentously, Ali Akbar Salehi, Iran’s energy chief, announced this week that his scientists had perfected a new generation of centrifuges for enriching uranium, and is now testing them:
… Chains of 10 centrifuges are now under test and will be gradually increased.
Worryingly, too, the Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, remains steadfast that he will not cede the “sovereign right” for his country to develop nuclear technology, which he insists is strictly civilian in nature. Such sentiments have, again, been echoed by Mr. Ahmadinejad prior to the meeting of the Security Council.
NEW SANCTIONS against Iran seem uncertain. Some Western countries, such as France, indicated that they would not support any US proposals to impede Iranian imports of refined fuel. Bernard Kouchner, France’s Foreign Minister, said that he felt such a step would amount to a “full-blown blockade”.
The five permanent members of the Security Council, joined by Germany, will discuss their position ahead of new talks scheduled in Geneva on 1 October, with Iran. Washington has quietly promoted the idea of a petrol embargo against Iran that would have a big chance of hurting the regime.
If France stands fast to its belief this would likely infuriate Israel, which has been threatening air-strikes against Iran’s nuclear sites situated at Natanz, Arak and Bushehr. Israel would feel that any potential country contesting the will to discipline Iran could weaken its authority to act against a country that is continually provocative against the territory of Israel and its people.
Related:
- Nuclear weapons and the NPT?
- Nuclear disarmament?
- The Saturday Essay, viz. ‘European Missile Defence’
- North Korea: ‘Uranium enrichment programme’…
UN Talks:
- AFP, 24 Sept 2009 Obama pushes nuclear arms-free world at UN talks
- [G20] New York Times, 25 Sept 2009: Iran and secret nuclear sites
© Mark Dowe 2009: all rights protected
Filed under: Britain, History, United Nations, barack obama, non-proliferation treaty, nuclear weapons, un security council | Tagged: ali akbar salehi, bernard kouchner, china, denuclearisation, disarmament treaty, enriching uranium, france, geneva, germany, gordon brown, Iran, iran's nuclear intentions, Israel, Libya, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, non-proliferation treaty, north korea, npt, nuclear deterrence, nuclear deterrent, nuclear weapons, petrol embargo, russia, start 3, terrorism, tony blair, trident, UN sanctions, United Nations
