New Security Consensus Trumps Politics with New START Ratification

December 22, 2010

Statement of Ploughshares Fund Leadership
December 22, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kelly Bronk, 202.783.4401, kbronk@ploughshares.org

Washington, D.C. – In a 71-26 vote, the United States Senate today ratified the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START). Ploughshares Fund President Joe Cirincione and Executive Director Naila Bolus issued the following statements commending the Senate for approving this critical treaty.

Joe Cirincione, President of Ploughshares Fund:

“Today’s approval of New START demonstrates that a new security consensus has solidified among a strong bipartisan majority of military and national security leaders. They understand the most effective way to strengthen U.S. security is to reduce the number of nuclear weapons in the world and improve our ability to secure and track those that remain.

"The world would have seen delay or defeat of the treaty as evidence that the United States was fumbling its leadership role. Senate approval will be welcomed by our allies and friends as a sign that America is united, strong and determined to lead on global security.

"Treaty approval opens the way for more powerful global action on the key threats of Iran, North Korea and nuclear terrorism. It enhances our credibility and our security, and solidly rejects the recycled cold war strategies of the political fringe."

Naila Bolus, Executive Director of Ploughshares Fund:

“Today senators listened to the broad coalition of retired military officers, Democratic and Republican national security experts, religious communities and concerned citizens who urged them to put politics aside and do what was clearly in the national interest. The powerful, active engagement of this contemporary movement proved that even during these highly partisan times, a motivated public can help our political leaders find common cause and provide for our common security.

“I urge Congress and the Obama Administration to continue to take concrete steps to reduce the nuclear threats that we’re facing today and to move toward the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons.”

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Ploughshares Fund is the largest grantmaking foundation in the U.S. dedicated exclusively to security and peace funding. For more information, please visit www.ploughshares.org.