COUNTERPLAN/NUCLEAR ABOLITION

SOLVENCY: NOW IS THE TIME TO PRESS FOR NUCLEAR ABOLITION

WE ARE AT A GOOD POINT TO PURSUE NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT

Statement on Nuclear Weapons by International Generals and Admirals (Signed by 60 retired generals and admirals from 17 countries) December 5, 1996 http://www.nuclearfiles.org/docs/1996/961205-admirals.html //VT2002acsln

The end of the Cold War created conditions favorable to nuclear disarmament. Termination of military confrontation between the Soviet Union and the United States made it possible to reduce strategic and tactical nuclear weapons, and to eliminate intermediate range missiles. It was a significant milestone on the path to nuclear disarmament when Belarus, Kazakhastan and Ukraine relinquished their nuclear weapons.

NOW IS THE BEST MOMENT FOR NUCLEAR ABOLITION, BUT WITH NEW THREATS PILING UP WE MUST ACT NOW

Alan Cleary, COMMITTEE FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, 14 February 1997 10 easy steps to achieve total nuclear disarmament http://www.cnduk.org/election/10easyst.htm //VT2002acsln

Recent changes in the world have made possible significant reductions in the world's nuclear armoury. However, while the threat of an all-out war may have receded, there are still enough nuclear weapons in the world to blow it up several times over, and there are new challenges on the horizon - such as nuclear proliferation and terrorism - which must be tackled today before it is too late.

NOW IS AN IDEAL TIME TO MOVE TOWARDS NUCLEAR ABOLITION

Karina Wood, Peace Action Education Fund July 1999. The Road to Nuclear Abolition http://www.webcom.com/peaceact/abolition_fs.html //VT2002acsln

The end of the Cold War has presented us with a golden opportunity to turn away from one of the deadliest weapons humans have created. We would be foolish not to seize this chance to herald a truly new world order that is nuclear weapons free.

IN THE LAST 15 YEARS NUCLEAR WEAPONS HAVE BEEN REDUCED, IT IS REALISTIC NOW TO MOVE TO NUCLEAR ABOLITION

David Krieger, President of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation. May 25, 2000 Ending the Nuclear Weapons Era http://www.peacenet.org/disarm/ //VT2002acsln

Between 1985 and the present there has been substantial progress in reducing the world's nuclear arsenals. It is not too much to hope that we could enter the new millennium with a treaty in place committing the world to the elimination of nuclear weapons within a time-bound framework. It is our challenge to make this vision a reality.

THE END OF THE COLD WAR IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR NUCLEAR ELIMINATION

The Canberra Commission on the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons 1996 http://www.dfat.gov.au/cc/cc_report_exec.html //VT2002acsln

The end of the Cold War has created a new climate for international action to eliminate nuclear weapons, a new opportunity. It must be exploited quickly or it will be lost.

NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT TOWARDS NUCLEAR ABOLITION

Generals Lee Butler & Andrew J. Goodpaster, 4 December 1996. Joint Statement on Reduction of Nuclear Weapons Arsenals: Declining Utility, Continuing Risks http://www.nuclearfiles.org/docs/1996/961204-butlergpaster.html //VT2002acsln

We believe the time for action is now, for the alternative of inaction could well carry a high price. For the task that lies ahead, there is need for initiatives by all who share our conviction as to the importance of this goal. Steady pursuit of a policy of cooperative, phased reductions with serious commitments to seek the elimination of all nuclear weapons is a path to a world free of nuclear dangers.

NOW IS THE IDEAL TIME TO PROPOSE NUCLEAR ABOLITION

Alan Cranston, Chair of the State of the World Forum, February 2, 1998, Statement by Heads of State and Civilian Leaders Worldwide http://www.nuclearfiles.org/docs/1998/980202-civilian-leaders.html //VT2002acsln

The end of the Cold War has wrought a profound transformation of the international political and security arena. Ideological confrontation has been supplanted by burgeoning global relations across every field of human endeavor. There is intense alienation but also civilized discourse. There is acute hostility but also significant effort for peaceful resolution in place of violence and bloodshed.

Most importantly, the long sought prospect of a world free of the apocalyptic threat of nuclear weapons is suddenly within reach. This is an extraordinary moment in the course of human affairs, a near miraculous opportunity to realize that noble goal. But, it is also perishable: the specter of nuclear proliferation cannot be indefinitely contained. The urgent attention and best efforts of scholars and statesmen must be brought to bear.

THE SITUATION AFTER THE COLD AR MAKES A MOVE TO NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT POSSIBLE

We have been presented with a challenge of the highest possible historic importance: the creation of a nuclear-weapons-free world. The end of the Cold War makes it possible.

The dangers of proliferation, terrorism, and new nuclear arms race render it necessary. We must not fail to seize our opportunity. There is no alternative.

WE MUST ACT TO PROMOTE THE ELIMINATION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS THROUGH DISARMAMENT

K.P. Waran January 8, 2001 New Straits Times (Malaysia) SECTION: Opinion Diplomatic crossroads; Pg. 12 HEADLINE: Hoping the Americans ratify CTBT //VT2002acsln

The time has also come for non-nuclear nations to push for the elimination of nuclear weapons and to halt development of new arms. Through the United Nations and regional bodies, nations should unite and fight for a world without nuclear weapons especially since the very survival of these nations would be on the line if a nuclear holocaust were to occur. Ensuring that future generations inhabit a world which is not a ticking time bomb, should be a prerogative for all leaders especially since there is no guarantee that another Hitler or Mussolini would not emerge in decades to come, who may gleefully decide to use the nuclear arsenals stocked up by their forefathers. Cleaning out weapons of mass destruction should be a common goal for all nations and high-level talks on the issue must be initiated as soon as possible and not left in the hands of future leaders.