Nuclear powers must slash their weapons arsenals, Sweden tells UN debate

The world’s nuclear powers have a duty to take the lead on non-proliferation by demonstrating they are willing to substantially reduce their arsenals of weapons, Sweden’s Permanent Representative told the General Assembly tonight.

“It’s a question of self-interest – and far-sighted statesmanship,” Ambassador Anders Lidén said in an address to the Assembly’s annual high-level debate in which he urged the nuclear powers “to live up to their responsibilities.”

He added: “These weapons are of no use in deterring the adversaries we might face if the regime of non-proliferation is eroded or collapses.”

Mr. Lidén warned that “were there to be one new State with nuclear weapons, the danger is that soon another would follow. Shortly, these weapons might well be out of any State’s control. The risk of nuclear terrorism would be a very real one.

“This must be prevented. Our children deserve to live in a world safe from the threat of nuclear war and of weapons of mass destruction falling into the hands of terrorists. These weapons threaten the very existence of mankind.”