Tuesday, April 13th, 2010 at 11:41 pm |
Joe Brooks |
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WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) — Russian President Dimitry Medvedev on Tuesday announced that the country plans to close its last weapons-grade plutonium manufacturing facility this month.
Medvedev made the announcement during the nuclear security summit in Washington. Manufacturing at the facility, located in the formerly secret Siberian city of Zheleznogorsk, ended in June 2009. It will be completely shut down later this month.
The ADE-2 reactor had been producing weapons-grade plutonium for nearly 52 years.
President Obama welcomed the announcement, calling it an important step forward. “I welcome this significant announcement from President Medvedev,” Obama said. “This important step forward continues to demonstrate Russia’s leadership on nuclear security issues, and will add momentum to our shared global effort.”
(Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without explicit prior permission from BNO News B.V. Contact sales@bnonews.com for more information about subscriptions.)
Monday, April 12th, 2010 at 9:48 pm |
Joe Brooks |
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WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) – The White House announced Monday that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will sign the recently concluded Protocol to amend the United States-Russian 2000 agreement.
The White House acknowledged the importance of this important step that would be enabling full implementation of the two countries’ obligation to safely and transparently dispose of such excess weapon-grade plutonium, which is enough material for several thousand nuclear weapons.
The signing is expected to be fulfilled at the Nuclear Security Summit.
The United States-Russian 2000 agreement approves the elimination of excess weapon-grade plutonium from defense programs.
(Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without explicit prior permission from BNO News B.V. Contact sales@bnonews.com for more information about subscriptions.)
Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 at 6:17 pm |
Joe Brooks |
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UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) – The United Nations (UN) expressed its optimism on Tuesday regarding the successful conclusion of negotiations between the Russian Federation and the U.S. for a successor agreement to the Treaty on the Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (START).
A UN spokesperson said the Secretary-General welcomes President Obama’s reaffirmation of his commitment towards a nuclear-free world, hoping that START will help keep the recent positive momentum in the lead up to the upcoming Nuclear Security Summit and the Review Conference of Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT Review Conference).
The spokesperson also said that the Secretary-General looks forward to the leadership of the U.S. in cooperation with other nuclear-weapon states, on further reducing and eliminating the role of nuclear weapons in security policies, which would contribute to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
(Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without explicit prior permission from BNO News B.V. Contact sales@bnonews.com for more information about subscriptions.)
Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 at 11:34 pm |
Joe Brooks |
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WASHINGTON D.C. (BNO NEWS) – U.S. President Barack Obama called President Lee Myung-bak of South Korea to offer his support and condolences following the sinking of a South Korean vessel, the White House announced on Wednesday.
On March 26, the South Korean Navy vessel Cheonan sank in the Yellow Sea near North Korea. The vessel carried 104 crew members; only 59 were rescued. A South Korean Navy diver also died during the rescue efforts.
“The thoughts and prayers of the American people are with the families of those missing and with the family of the South Korean Navy diver who died trying to rescue them,” President Obama said.
President Obama offered the U.S. Navy to assist in the the South Korea’s ongoing search and also said that they were prepared to provide further help if necessary.
Both presidents also discussed briefly about the upcoming Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, D.C. on April 12-13.
(Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without explicit prior permission from BNO News B.V. Contact sales@bnonews.com for more information about subscriptions.)
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 at 5:33 pm |
Joe Brooks |
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THE HAGUE (BNO NEWS) — President Barack Obama on Wednesday called Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende to discuss Afghanistan, the political situation and to invite him to the Nuclear Security Summit, the Dutch government said.
The call came nearly three weeks after a NATO request that asked Dutch troops to remain in Afghanistan toppled the country’s coalition government.
A Dutch government statement said Obama conveyed his thanks and appreciation for the Dutch efforts in Afghanistan. In the past, the United States and other countries had praised the work of Dutch soldiers and development workers in Uruzgan province. “This approach was partly an example for the current strategy of the United States in Afghanistan,” the statement read.
Balkenende also provided more background on the current political situation in the Netherlands, which is set for general elections on June 9.
“President Obama and Prime Minister Balkenende also discussed several other subjects on the international agenda, such as the joint approach to combat the effects of the economic crisis and the upcoming summit on nuclear safety, the Nuclear Security Summit,” the Dutch government said.
It said Balkenende accepted an invitation from Obama to attend the Nuclear Security Summit on April 12 and 13 in Washington, D.C.
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 at 5:08 pm |
Joe Brooks |
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THE HAGUE (BNO NEWS) — President Barack Obama on Wednesday called Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, the Dutch government said.
“President Obama of the United States on Wednesday afternoon March, 10 expressed his thanks and appreciation for the Dutch efforts in Afghanistan during a phone call with Prime Minister Balkenende,” a government statement read.
It said Balkenende accepted an invitation from Obama to attend the Nuclear Security Summit on April 12 and 13 in Washington, D.C.
