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Britain moved to fast-track global disarmament talks today with a plan to create a "uranium bank" for states that want peaceful nuclear power programmes.
For the first time, Gordon Brown offered specific UK atomic expertise to any country - including Iran - which agrees not to develop nuclear weapons.
The Prime Minister said the world faced a "critical and defining moment" where there was a danger of an arms race that could see rogue states and terrorists with radiological material. He said the push by the US and Russia offered a fresh chance for established nuclear states to prove they were serious about proliferation.
Ahead of a global arms summit due next year, he said it was time for the West to offer help and confirmed London will host its own mini summit on the issue this September.
Mr Brown told MPs today that a uranium "bank" in a third country would keep tabs on fuel needed by nations developing civil power programmes.
He pointed out that 50 years ago there were five nuclear states, compared with nine today. Mr Brown conceded that previously the idea of offering technical nuclear help to emerging nations had been stymied amid security fears, but the Obama administration offered the chance of a breakthrough.
He announced a £20million UK "centre of excellence" to help develop civil nuclear technology but which cannot be diverted to military uses.
Announcing his Road to 2010 strategy before next year's non-proliferation treaty review conference, Mr Brown told MPs the UK was committed to the reduction and "eventual elimination" of nuclear weapons.
He ruled out any unilateral reduction in the UK's Trident arsenal but said Britain "stands ready to participate and act".
Reader views (4)
In 1957 a Dutch politician called Henri Spaak said of the European Union as then was, "We need a leader, send us a man and whether he be god or the Devil, we will receive him'.
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Apart from Blair having the wrong identity and bloodline (as far as I know...) it is strongly held by many that the first Head of the Revived Roman Empire (Europe) would in fact be AntiChrist as spoken of in the book of Revelation. Now unless I have my ancestry and bible interpretation wrong Blair is probably not that person.
However, there are so many similar attributes that are a pre-requisite for 'AC' I am prepared to watch and wait. Afterall there have never been so many prophecies coming to fulfilment in my lifetime, I'm always ready for the next one.
- Chris Williams, Cardiff, 16/07/2009 17:10
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A World Government with Bliar at Gormless Brown at the helm.
God help everyone on the planet.
- Reuben Camara, Republic of Morecambe, UK, 16/07/2009 17:09
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Why does he keep pledging an announcing these new ideas, when he wont be in power to implement any of them.
And there I was thinking Margaret Thatcher was delusional.
- P Staker, London, 16/07/2009 16:30
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1st step towards World Gov starts slowly, with Tony Blair going towards President EU everthing going to plan!
- William, London UK, 16/07/2009 16:04
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