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PRESS RELEASE |
Uppsala |
The Church of Sweden Encourages American Senators to Change Their Stand on Nuclear Tests
The Church of Sweden has written a letter to each one of the 51 American Senators who vote against the nuclear test-ban treaty. On behalf of the Church of Sweden Central Board, the signatories, Archbishop KG Hammar and the General Secretary, Leni Björklund, say that in view of recent developments have made the decision of the American Senate very precarious, as it increases the risks fuelling the nuclear armaments race with renewed vigour.
The test-ban treaty was the result of the conference on disarmament in Geneva and signatures were invited in connection with the UN General Assembly in the autumn of 1996. By the autumn of 1999, 155 states had signed the treaty. However, it will not come into force until it has been ratified by 40 or so key-nations, including the USA.
"The senators who voted against signing the treaty have considered this an issue of American domestic policy. We would like to remind them that the nuclear test-ban treaty concerns the safety of the entire human race" Leni Björklund says. "The nuclear powers must hold such an attitude that restrictions seem worth while also to other states".
"It is part of the church's task to work for peace, reconciliation and lasting security for all people. Our American partner churches have reacted against this decision by the Senate, and we support them by taking this action. That is why we have written this letter to the Senators," Leni Björklund says.
The letter also emphasises the important role that the USA plays in securing the continuing disarmament process, "but unfortunately the decision by the Senate sends a contradictory message to the world" KG Hammar and Leni Björklund write, as they encourage the senators to reconsider their decision.
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