WCC FEATURE: A world safer from nuclear danger in 2009? Yes!

WILL THE WORLD BE SAFER FROM NUCLEAR DANGER IN 2009? MANY, INCLUDING CHURCHES, SAY YES.

By Jonathan Frerichs

Prepare for some good news in 2009. Despite the terrible start in Gaza and other endemic conflicts, governments committed to shared security are set to reach an historic milestone this year. Specifically, the number of countries protected by nuclear-weapon-free zones is set to jump to 110 countries from 56
at present.

The change will come from an African capital, like Windhoek or Bujumbura, as soon as two more governments ratify the treaty
making Africa a nuclear-weapon-free zone. Churches are promoting the step, and linking Africa's action to the need for similar
progress in the Middle East.

"This will be good news on the nuclear front for Africa and the world," notes Ambassador Bethuel Kiplagat, a senior African statesman. Kiplagat is leading a World Council of Churches (WCC)
initiative to help bring the Africa Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone
Treaty into force, with church action nationally to support an
international goal.

A recent ecumenical delegation to Namibia received a positive
response from top government officials there. Ratification of the
Africa treaty will mean that the whole southern hemisphere and
adjoining regions are protected. Latin America and the Caribbean,
Southeast Asia, the South Pacific and Central Asia have also set
up zones that exclude nuclear arms and related activities.

For a link to the full-length article, click on the link below:

http://www.oikoumene.org/en/news/news-management/eng/a/article/1722/will-the-world-be-safer-f.html