Obama aide says multilateral approach will benefit EU
A top aide to Barack Obama says the US president-elect “clearly recognises” the importance of multilateralism in reducing the risk of “apocalyptic” nuclear war.
Speaking in parliament on Wednesday, Joseph Cirincione, who advises Obama on nuclear issues, said the president-elect will not overlook the international community, including the EU, in pursuing his non-proliferation initiatives.
Stressing that he was not speaking directly for Obama, Cirincione told a conference, organised by the Party of European Socialists that “no nation” should have veto over US national security policy.
“But consultation with friends and allies is critical to getting the policy right,” he said.
Outgoing president George W Bush has been widely condemned for adopting a unilateral approach to world affairs, including military action and climate change.
But Cirincione, a keynote speaker at the PES conference, said that will all change under a Obama administration.
“US allies must also make their views known and the PES conference is an important part of such efforts.
“Together, these ‘outside’ voices can encourage the president and help him allay the fears of those who would delay or deny the new agenda.”
He warned the audience that there was a real danger of new states acquiring nuclear weapons, adding, "The Middle East could go from one nuclear state to four or five - a potential apocalypse."
PES organised the conference in an attempt to ensure that the issue of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons moves up the political agenda before Obama takes office in January.
Washington-based Cirincione, a widely-respected expert on the issue, also said Obama, America’s 44th president, should consider whether some of his non-proliferation policies could be implemented unilaterally.
“He could, for example, announce plans to reduce US forces to 1000 weapons and extend the warning time for the launch of US ballistic missiles, urging Russia to do the same.”
theparliament.com |
