We, the undersigned non-governmental organizations strongly support the immediate elimination of nuclear weapons, and we therefore appeal to the nuclear states of US, France and the United Kingdom, as well as all nations represented at the NPT PrepCom conference in April 2002, urging them to take the international lead by affirmatively demonstrating their support for the process of nuclear disarmament.

Whereas at the NPT Review Conference held in New York in May 2000, 187 nations agreed to a 13-point plan for the elimination of nuclear weapons;

Whereas this 13-point plan enumerates a way for the nuclear states to achieve the "unequivocal abolition of nuclear weapons", and also puts nuclear disarmament as an objective distinct from general disarmament, the latter being the ultimate goal but not one likely obtainable in the nearfuture; and

Whereas the attacks of September 11, 2001, demonstrate the grave crisis which threatens the security of all nations, menaces civilian populations, and is a serious, universal threat -- a dramatic trait common to both terrorism and nuclear weapons,

We deplore that the following facts are true even though the NPT has been in force more than 32 years (partial list):

• New, miniature nuclear weapons are being created, "mini-nukes", destined for use on the fields of war. These bombs subvert rapid nuclear dismantlement, as they increase the likelihoodof engendering a new nuclear arms race.
• Programs exist to modernize nuclear arsenals, thereby greatly lessening their eventual abandonment. This has also helped stir up new French activities, namely, the decision to construct a new strategic submarine, new missiles, and new nuclear warheads.
• The US missile defense program has started a new and dangerous course re-deploying arms to contain and control China. It is also the US "first step towards planetary domination via armed battle stations orbiting Earth by the year 2020", the true "Star Wars" program. The US has also formally announced its withdrawal (in June 2002) from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, long a cornerstone treaty contributing to stabilizing international balance of power.
• France and US have inertial confinement fusion laser projects under construction (National Ignition Facility in US, Megajoule in France) that have among their goals pure fusion arms, and battlefield nuclear arms applications.

The current international situation shows more clearly than ever that nuclear weapons are an ineffective solution to open-ended or latent crises that are regional conflicts engendered by thirst for power, inequities and injustices. Genocides, such as those seen recently (e.g., Rwanda, Kosovo) were not prevented by nuclear deterrence of its creators. Likewise, international terrorism is not prevented by the use of such nuclear blackmail.

We also observe the grave risks caused by nuclear power plants and the use of nuclear energy. Further, the NPT has a fatal flaw which creates proliferation, and that is the idea that the nuclear industry can continue in its current form. Possession of nuclear weapons by the nuclear nations only encourages other states and non-state actors to acquire nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.

The defense of democracy, justice and peace cannot coexist with the destruction of whole populations. We further note that the fall of racist or totalitarian regimes (e.g.,South Africa, Eastern Europe) was not caused by the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons. Democratic states are the leaders of international political standards by virtue of their fundamental values. We conclude both that nuclear abolition is urgently needed in order to augment our security, and that international efforts toward achieving true peace and justice are imperative.

Based on the agreement made at the NPT Review Conference of May 2000 in New York, we, the undersigned, demand that our nations immediately convene a nuclear disarmament conference to create practical measures, including a timeframe and appropriate verification processes, to completely eliminate nuclear weapons.

Signatory organizations:

Europe

United States

Other regions