Parliament hosts discussion on future of nuclear arms

50 parliamentarians, civic leaders and interested parties from across Europe have met in Edinburgh to discuss nuclear weapons within the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).

The event—organised by Bill Kidd MSP—took place in the Scottish parliament at the same time as the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s 55th Annual Session, hosted by the UK Government in Edinburgh.

Mr Kidd said: "I have been overwhelmed by the response we've had to our invitation, and heartened that so many others believe in the same ideals of a world free from nuclear weapons.

The event in the Scottish parliament brought together interested parties from throughout NATO and Europe in order to promote nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation and to discuss NATO's relationship with nuclear weapons in its military strategy.

"To be able to host this event in the Scottish parliament is a real honour and one which I think sends out the right message of what Scotland stands for, a nation that is ready to speak out for what it believes to be right," Mr Kidd said.

Commenting, Alyn Ware, global coordinator for Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament said: “This month is the 20th anniversary of the collapse of the Berlin Wall. Yet there remains a wall of nuclear missiles threatening our survival and preventing the international trust and collaboration required to meet the security issues of today climate change, poverty, terrorism and global economic crises.

"NATO countries continue to resist the growing momentum to tear down this nuclear wall.”

John Ainslie, coordinator of the Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament told The Journal: “Over the next year NATO will be amending its core strategic concept. The reception was an opportunity for a radical critique of the role of nuclear weapon in the alliance and for delegates to consider how European nations can play their part in the struggle to build a world without nuclear weapons.”

Also coinciding with the NATO meeting, the World March for Peace and Non-violence arrived at the Scottish parliament, accompanying the 'peace torch'.

The torch and march recently received the blessings of Pope Benedict XVI as it continues its six month journey from New Zealand to the Andes.