PRESS RELEASE

14 April 1999

Canadian Senate Urges NATO Nuclear Weapons Policy Review at Summit

The Office of the Hon. Douglas Roche, member of the Canadian Senate, issued the following press release on 14 April 1999. It outlines a motion adopted unanimously by the Senate of Canada, urging NATO to review the Alliance's nuclear weapons policies at its Summit in Washington later this month. The press release reads as follows:

On April 13, 1999, the Senate of Canada unanimously adopted Motion No. 128, introduced by Senator Douglas Roche, without a vote. The Motion states:

"That the Senate recommend that the Government of Canada urge NATO to begin a review of its nuclear weapons policies at the Summit Meeting of NATO on April 23 to 25, 1999."

In speaking during the debate on the Motion in the Senate on March 23rd Senator Roche indicated that at the upcoming NATO Summit three important documents will be presented: a new Strategic Concept; a Communiqué that would present NATO's policy agenda; and a vision statement on NATO's future purpose and mission. Indisputably, "NATO is the greatest military alliance in the history of the world and it is now about to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary. Canada has consistently made a great contribution over the years and thus it is perfectly appropriate for Canada, as an important member of NATO, to press for this review."

"The point at issue is that nuclear weapons in NATO have lost their military value and are being kept for their political value."

The intention of the Motion is that leaders will instigate a review of nuclear weapons policies at the time of the summit.

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