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Statement on the Announcement by the UK regarding the Development
of a new class of Submarines The South African Government has taken note
of the announcement made by British Prime Minister Tony Blair on 4 December 2006
regarding the intention of the United Kingdom to build a new class of ballistic
missile-carrying submarines as delivery system for its nuclear weapons. With
its current Vanguard-class submarines reaching the end of their life, it is disappointing
that the United Kingdom has not used this opportunity to demonstrate its commitment
to the irreversible elimination of its nuclear weapons arsenal, consistent with
its nuclear disarmament obligations and commitments. This would have been
a landmark decision, to be followed by others, to eliminate all weapons of mass
destruction. The continued development of nuclear weapons and the qualitative
improvements to these weapons and their delivery systems remain of serious concern
to the international community. South Africa is firmly of the view that
nuclear weapons do not, in any possible way, contribute to international peace
and security. These instruments of destruction are therefore not a source of security
and do not serve any deterrent purpose whatsoever. Neither can they be regarded
as a tool to prevent proliferation or as a weapon against any terrorist threat. South
Africa believes that the continued retention of nuclear weapons by some countries
weakens the nuclear non-proliferation regime and could serve as a logical foundation
for others to also aspire to develop such capabilities. It is our hope
that the United Kingdom would honour its "unequivocal undertaking" towards
nuclear disarmament made during the 2000 NPT Review Conference, including through
the adoption of appropriate disarmament measures in a transparent, verifiable
and irreversible manner. Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853 Department
of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
0001 5 December 2006 | 
