David Miliband

Foreign Secretary

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Monday 31 August, 2009

Pelindaba Treaty: Africa joins nuclear free club

Burundi's ratification in July of the Pelindaba Treaty making Africa a nuclear weapon-free zone means the Treaty now comes into force.  The Treaty ensures nuclear weapons are not developed, acquired or stationed in Africa and that nuclear science and technology activities take place under strict non-proliferation measures.  South Africa did develop a nuclear weapons capacity during the apartheid era but signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1991. 

The next month in the run up to and at the UN General Assembly will be a busy month on nuclear non-proliferation and this is a welcome reminder that all countries around the world have an interest in taking seriously all responsibilities under the nuclear proliferation treaty, including nuclear disarmament and safe production of nuclear power.

Posted at 12:33 31 August 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[4]

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Sir,Pelindaba treaty has really achieved the great goal for the peacefull world. This is very surprising news that the whole AFRICA is nuclear-weapon-free; the remaining world community should also think for the same. Nuclear energy should be used for the peacefull purposes and not for the war coz this energy is lethal for generations if used for war. Dear African citizens Congratulations. Thank you SIR for the above EXCELLENT article on your blog for the cause of HUMANITY.

Posted by Prabhat Misra on August 31, 2009 at 04:04 PM BST #

Sir, the U.K. government's "NPT: The Road to 2010 plan" is explaining the "roadmap to the future utilisation of Nuclear Energy", safely. This explains Nuclear disarmament, Preventing Proliferation and Peaceful uses of nuclear energy. This is also good that U.K. will provide assistance to nations which will require UK's expertise. There should be 'equal rights' to all peace loving democratic nations for peaceful civil nuclear energy production under international standards. The countries, which are trying to use nuclear energy only for warheads production and not for peaceful purposes, should be banned internationally. The ratio for peaceful use of energy and weapons production should be around 90:10. Pelindaba Treaty will prove 'MODEL', for non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy, for the remaining world community. [ Prabhat Misra, blog: http://www.mynature-myfuture.blogspot.com ].

Posted by Prabhat Misra on September 02, 2009 at 03:24 PM BST #

While it is fantastic that Africa joins the rest of the Southern Hemisphere in becoming a nuclear weapons free zone, it is unfortunate that not all of the P5 can agree to the all of the terms asked of them in the relevant treaties. While welcoming the UK's signature on the Pelindaba, Raratonga and Tlatleloco treaties- it is unfortunate that the colonialism of days gone by prevents the inclusion of the "British Indian Ocean Territory" and "any territory for the international relations of which they are responsible lying within the limits of the geographical zone established by the Treaty". I certainly hope that the UK will see fit to sign the treaties of Bangkok and Semipalantinsk soon as a demonstrable commitment to reducing the reliance on nuclear weapons in your national security strategy, so we can finally realise a nuclear weapons free world.

Posted by Susi Snyder on September 03, 2009 at 09:30 AM BST #

Dear David, after reading your-once again-excellent report and the proper other comments there are only some words left for mr to write:Welcome Burundi to the African nuclear free Club ! Best wishes, Ingo Steven Wais

Posted by Ingo-Steven Wais on September 12, 2009 at 12:06 PM BST #

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