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US to maintain tactical nukes in Europe

Press TV – April 24, 2010

The US says it will keep its nuclear arms in Europe, arguing that any cut in the arsenal would require Russia to take a similar step.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has ruled out a withdrawal of its 200 tactical weapons stationed in several European countries, saying Washington is going to be committed to its military alliance in the continent.

“As long as nuclear weapons exist, NATO will remain a nuclear alliance,” Clinton said in remarks prepared for delivery to NATO foreign ministers, according to a Washington Post report on Thursday.

“As a nuclear alliance, sharing nuclear risks and responsibilities is fundamental,” she said in remarks released by the State Department.

Clinton said that any reduction should be tied to a negotiated nuclear withdrawal by Russia. Moscow, however, says it will not pull out its tactical arms unless Washington removes its bombs from Europe.

Moscow and Washington signed a treaty earlier this month which requires a reduction in their nuclear arsenals by about one-third. The treaty, however, is not observed by any international organization.

The US and Russia currently possess 95-percent of the world’s nuclear weapons.

April 24, 2010 - Posted by | Aletho News, Militarism

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