There Is No Such Thing as A Limited Nuclear War
Viewpoint by Dr Mohamed ElBaradei
Following is the text of comments by Dr Mohamed ElBaradei, Director-General Emeritus, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Nobel Peace Prize 2005, at the opening of the 2022 Vienna Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons on June 20, 2022.
VIENNA (IDN) — It is an honour to take part in this the 2022 Vienna Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons. I would like to thank the Austrian government for taking the initiative to organize it.
The grim and transformational impact of nuclear weapons was clear and immediate; J. Robert Oppenheimer, one of the fathers of the atomic bomb, remarked after the first bomb was successfully detonated that “we knew the world would not be the same” adding that it brought to mind words from the Hindu Bhagavad Gita “now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds”. [2022-06-20]
A Scientist Reflects on Our Common Future
Following is the text of comments at the opening of the 2022 Vienna Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons on June 20, 2022, by John Polanyi, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Toronto, awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1986.
VIENNA (IDN) — Ambassador Alexander Kmentt, convener of the 2022 Vienna Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons, has invited me today to give a brief reminiscence of the birth of our nuclear age. Unsurprisingly, given my profession, that birth date roughly coincides with mine. What my remarks will illustrate is the speed of today’s change, as well as the responsibility of scientists for it. [2022-06-20]
Mongolian Independence and its Nuclear-Weapons-Free Zone
Viewpoint by Joseph Gerson
The writer is President of the Campaign for Peace, Disarmament and Common Security and Vice-President of the International Peace Bureau.
BERLIN (IDN) — We don’t often think in terms of national independence and nuclear disarmament initiatives, but their intersection lies at the heart of Mongolia’s unique single-state nuclear-weapons-free zone.
During Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) meetings at the United Nations, I made the acquaintance of Mongolia’s former ambassador to the United Nations Jargalsaikhan Enksaikhan, and more recently in online meetings of the board of the International Peace Bureau. [2022-06-20]
Second Comprehensive Study on NFWZs Is Needed
Viewpoint by Dr Jargalsaikhan Enkhsaikhan
The writer is Chairman of Blue Banner NGO, Former Mongolian Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
ULAANBAATAR (IDN) — In preparation for the 10th Review Conference (Revcon) of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in August, a group of NGOs met in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, to exchange views and discuss the challenges and prospects of nuclear-weapon-free zone (NWFZ) regimes that are recognized as important practical regional measures of non-nuclear-weapon states (NNWSs) that contribute to non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament. [2022-06-16-07] FRENCH | JAPANESE TEXT VERSION PDF | RUSSIAN
World Threatened with More Nuclear Arms as Modernization of Arsenals Continues
By Thalif Deen
UNITED NATIONS (IDN) — The growing modernization of the world’s nuclear arsenal is threatening an increase of deadly weapons in the not-too-distant future.
The grim prediction comes from the latest Yearbook released June 13 by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) 2022. [2022-06-13-06] CHINESE | GERMAN | JAPANESE TEXT VERSION PDF | NORWEGIAN
Nuclear Weapons Pose the Greatest Immediate Threat to Human Health
By Radwan Jakeem
NEW YORK (IDN) — A Joint International Health Statement for the 1st Meeting of States Parties (1MSP) of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) has stressed the urgent need to eliminate nuclear weapons as a matter of global health and survival. The joint statement expresses a "united voice" of physicians, nurses, public health professionals, and medical students worldwide.
The statement issued on May 2, 2022, provides an "updated evidence" on the catastrophic consequences of any use of nuclear weapons, the acute and growing danger of their use, and the impossibility of any effective humanitarian and health response following nuclear explosions on Parties (1MSP) of the TPNW. [2022-06-11]
The U.S. Urged to Intensify Diplomacy to Restore Iran Nuclear Deal
By J.C. Suresh
WASHINGTON, D.C. (IDN) — Arms Control experts are strongly urging President Joseph Biden to immediately redouble efforts to break the stalemate on talks to restore compliance with the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi, for example, has warned that efforts to restore the JCPOA will face a “fatal blow” within three to four weeks, after Iran announced on June 9 that it was disconnecting certain cameras monitoring key nuclear facilities. [2022-06-10]
SGI Supports Launch of “Immoral Code” Film
Call for New International Law on Autonomy in Weapons Systems
By Kyodo JBN
This press release was issued by Soka Gakkai International (SGI) on May 25, 2022, and is being re-published with their permission.
TOKYO — Immoral Code, a 23-minute documentary that raises important questions about how far we are prepared to let machines make decisions of life and death, was launched for online viewing on May 24. [2022-06-02]
A Double Veto Against US Resolution on DPRK Reflects New Cold War At UN
By Thalif Deen
UNITED NATIONS (IDN) — A US-sponsored resolution to impose additional sanctions on North Korea for its multiple missile tests since January this year failed to get off the ground because of two vetoes by China and Russia.
The double vetoes reflected a growing new Cold War in international politics—and in the UN Security Council chamber—badly in need of a ceasefire. [2022-05-28]
Nuclear Policies Violate Right to Life, Warn Civil Society Organisations
By Jaya Ramachandran
GENEVA (IDN) — While arms control and disarmament efforts have come to a halt, civil society organisations are insisting that nuclear policies contravene the right to life. “Every human being has the inherent right to life. This right shall be protected by law. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life,” declares Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). [2022-05-21-05] FRENCH | ITALIAN | JAPANESE TEXT VERSION PDF