Democracy In Action – 2012-02-17 20:30:56

http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/6357/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=9654

ACTION ALERT: Encourage President Obama to Drastically Cut the Nuclear Arsenal

ACTION: To send a letter to the White House, , Click Here.

(February 18, 2012) — The Associated Press is reporting that the Obama administration is examining options for deep cuts in the US nuclear arsenal. According to the report, the administration is considering options for three levels of cuts in deployed strategic nuclear weapons: 1,000 to 1,100; 700 to 800; and 300 to 400.

Any decrease in the size of the US nuclear arsenal would be a step in the right direction, but the lower level being considered would be a major step toward a world free of nuclear weapons. It would also demonstrate to the world that the US is serious about achieving nuclear disarmament, as it is obligated to do under the terms of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The same obligation applies to Russia, the UK, France and China.

Please take a moment today to encourage President Obama to act boldly in moving to reduce the threat of nuclear weapons use by accident, miscalculation or intent. Your message will be copied to your Senators and Representative so that they are made aware of your position on this vital issue.

If President Obama is successful in reducing the size of the US nuclear arsenal to 300 to 400 weapons and bringing the Russians along with the US, this will leave the other seven countries in possession of nuclear weapons roughly at parity with between 100 and 300 nuclear weapons each.

This would be a strong place from which to launch multilateral negotiations for a Nuclear Weapons Convention, a treaty for the phased, verifiable, irreversible and transparent elimination of nuclear weapons. Such a Convention would be a great achievement for humanity and a gift to ourselves and the generations that will follow us on the planet.

THE LETTER
Act Boldly to Cut the Nuclear Arsenal

I was pleased by the recent report in the Associated Press that indicated your administration is considering significant cuts to our deployed strategic nuclear arsenal. Any decrease in the size of the US nuclear arsenal would be a step in the right direction, but the lower level being considered (300-400 weapons) would be a major step toward a world free of nuclear weapons.

It would also demonstrate to the world that the US is serious about achieving nuclear disarmament, as it is obligated to do under the terms of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The same obligation applies to Russia, the UK, France and China.

Moving the number downward to 300 to 400 would be a major game changer in lowering the risk of nuclear war, nuclear accidents, nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism.

I encourage you to act boldly in moving to reduce the threat of nuclear weapons use by accident, miscalculation or intent.

If you are successful in reducing the size of the US nuclear arsenal to 300 to 400 weapons and bringing the Russians along with the US, this will leave the other seven countries in possession of nuclear weapons roughly at parity with between 100 and 300 nuclear weapons each.

This would be a strong place from which to launch multilateral negotiations for a Nuclear Weapons Convention, a treaty for the phased, verifiable, irreversible and transparent elimination of nuclear weapons. Such a Convention would be a great achievement for humanity and a gift to ourselves and the generations that will follow us on the planet.

A Campaign of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation – www.wagingpeace.org