total elimination of nuclear weapons

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Hobbs opens UN debate on nuclear weapons
03 May 2005

Disarmament Minister Marian Hobbs has opened a United Nations debate with an appeal for a commitment to the total elimination of nuclear weapons.

Ms Hobbs was lead speaker in yesterday's general assembly debate on the review of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty on behalf of the New Agenda Coalition of Brazil, Egypt, Ireland, New Zealand, Mexico, South Africa and Sweden.

She said the coalition intended addressing the 'troubling development' that some nuclear-weapon states were researching or even planning to develop new weapons, or significantly modify existing ones.

The coalition would pursue measures to obtain 'real commitments' for the total elimination of nuclear weapons.

'If the treaty's obligations are not met, it is not the treaty's provisions that have failed but it is rather a failure of collective will and leadership to implement them effectively,' she said.
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