IAEA chief "encouraged" by U.S.-Russia arms pledge

[Coventina]

Source: Reuters

VIENNA (Reuters) - A U.S.-Russian commitment to rid the world of nuclear weapons and pursue diplomacy on Iran and North Korea is a welcome boost for non-proliferation efforts, the U.N. nuclear watchdog chief said Thursday.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and U.S. President Barack Obama pledged at a London summit Wednesday to seek a deal by July on cutting their nuclear arsenals, work for a nuclear-free world and coordinate policy on Iran and North Korea.

Nuclear diplomacy and arms control were given short shrift by Obama's predecessor George W. Bush and Iran, meanwhile, has expanded a secretive uranium enrichment campaign.

Mohamed ElBaradei, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), had previously accused big powers of failing to meet obligations to disarm under the Non-Proliferation Treaty and spurring other countries to seek risky nuclear capability.



Read more: http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKTRE5312PS20090402

[DrCory]

1. Obama I Trust On This Issue...

Medvedev/Putin not at all. But, I guess it's a start.

[TheLastMohican]

2. The Russians can say the very opposite thing

Nuclear weapons is the only thing the Russians have to keep the belligerent USA in check.