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Where there is no law, but every man does what is right in his own eyes, there is the least of real liberty
Henry M. Robert

US Says No to Nuclear Weapons in Europe

16 November, 1999 - 00:00

NATO and the United States do not intend to deploy nuclear weapons in the territories of new members of the Alliance, US Undersecretary for Arms Control and International Security John Holum declared during the Washington-Kyiv-Moscow space bridge organized by the US Embassy.

After admitting three members, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary, the NATO leadership declared on several occasions that there was no need to build up their strength by using nuclear arms. Last week, however, the Russian Foreign Ministry came out with a statement expressing concern over the Hungarian Premier’s allegation that US nuclear systems could be deployed in Hungary “in case of a critical situation.” Hungary borders on Ukraine, but official Kyiv responded to Victor Orban’s declaration in a restrained manner, without any backtracking, apparently awaiting official reaction from NATO or Washington.

“We made it clear that we will not request any of the new NATO members to accommodate nuclear weapons. Also, we have no plans for the development of new nuclear arms, nor are we interested in staging nuclear tests,” declared Undersecretary John Holum and recalled of the good examples set by Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan in voluntarily ridding themselves of nuclear weapons.

While Ukraine is internationally known as a country that forfeited a powerful nuclear arsenal, the world shows the opposite trend with the appearance of nuclear arms in India and Pakistan. Perhaps this could mean Ukraine’s decision to become a nuclear-free country was rash? Can a nuclear- free state feel really safe these days?

“We declared that we will not use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine. The more so if Ukraine finds itself facing such a threat it will be able to count on a certain level of support,” Mr. Holum said, without specifying what kind of support.

The US Undersecretary also declared that America is interested in building a national missile defense system capable of protecting the 50 states if threatened by countries such as Iran, Iraq, or North Korea. This project has irked Russia, which regards it as a move undermining Russian-US strategic stability, despite Washington’s explanation that the new antimissile initiative is not directed against the Russian nuclear forces. Mr. Holum stated, however, that the United States does not intend to soften Moscow’s stand by offering Russia any compensation, especially not secret ones, like withdrawing all US tactical systems from Europe. “From the outset of talks with Russia the United States decided not to play any negotiations game, pressure its partner or seek any advantages,” the Undersecretary added.

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