Kucinich Calls On Administration to Renounce Use of 'First Strike' Nuclear Weapons In Iraq
The following is a press release from January 25, 2003, by Kucinich's office in Congress
***
Kucinich Calls On Administration to Renounce Use of 'First Strike' Nuclear Weapons In Iraq
LA Times Reports 'First Strike' Nuke an Option
The Administration must publicly renounce the use of 'first strike' nuclear weapons in Iraq, stated Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) in a statement today.
Kucinich, Ranking Member of the House Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans Affairs and International Relations issued the following statement:
"A news report in today's Los Angeles Times indicates that the Administration is considering the use of 'first strike' nuclear missiles in Iraq. Today, I call upon the President to publicly renounce the use of such weapons.
"Such discussion serves only to destabilize an already fragile region, and could further deteriorate the crisis in North Korea. Nuclear rhetoric such as this also sends a dangerous message to other nuclear countries such as India and Pakistan, and sets the United States at odds with nuclear powers China and Russia.
"The President, as the man whose hand is on the nuclear button, must publicly renounce loose talk of a 'first strike' nuclear attack. Such rhetoric is irresponsible and not worthy of a great nation.
"At a time when the United States is seeking world support nuclear 'first strike' rhetoric runs counter the UN Charter and would violate the intent of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation treaty.
"This escalation in rhetoric by this Administration, in addition to the massive troop build-up in the region, puts innocent people and US troops and allies in the region at risk. It increases, not decreases the possibility of an attack on our nation. America should be leading the world in getting rid of nuclear weapons not using them."
Subscribe to this blog's feed