Vatican official: Nations must disarm to stop spread of nukes

Published: 2007-05-11

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- If the world is to help stop the spread of nuclear weapons, nations must take positive steps toward nuclear disarmament, a Vatican official said. Nuclear disarmament and nuclear nonproliferation "are interdependent and mutually reinforcing," said Msgr. Michael W. Banach, the Vatican's representative to the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization. "Responsible implementation" of international agreements concerning nuclear weapons represents a crucial step "in the fight against nuclear terrorism" and promoting "a culture of life," peace and human development, he said in a May 1 address. The U.S. monsignor spoke in Vienna, Austria, at the April 30-May 11 proceedings of the Preparatory Committee for the 2010 Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference. The Vatican released a copy of Msgr. Banach's text May 11. The Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty became effective in 1970 in an effort to curb the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology as well as ensure nuclear energy would be used for peaceful purposes.

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