New Zealand has "clean hands" on nuclear issues and can be an honest broker at a high-powered nuclear security summit in Washington next week, Prime Minister John Key says.Chinese President Hu Jintao is among world leaders who will attend the Wa
New Zealand has "clean hands" on nuclear issues and can be an honest broker at a high-powered nuclear security summit in Washington next week, Prime Minister John Key says.
Chinese President Hu Jintao is among world leaders who will attend the Washington summit, which will focus on securing nuclear material to prevent it falling into the wrong hands.
The summit follows President Barack Obama's new policy restricting United States use of nuclear weapons -- while at the same time warning Iran and North Korea that they remain potential targets.
The meeting of about 46 leaders would be very important as more countries sought to arm themselves with nuclear weapons, Mr Key said.
"We can see and hear the threats from countries like Iran and North Korea and we are also dealing with this issue at a time where countries desire to pick up nuclear product and use it for energy production is actually increasing," Mr Key said.
"So this is part of, I think, a programme that President Obama feels very passionately about, He campaigned on it, he's given a very significant speech in Prague and he's called this meeting of these 46 countries in Washington and hopefully it will lead, over time, to a safer more secure world."
Mr Key said New Zealand was in the unique position of being the only country at the meeting with no nuclear weapons, nuclear power or materials.
"I think we can be the honest broker and we can have a legitimate and passionate voice in this area.
"We've proven that we are a country that doesn't want nuclear power, we don't want nuclear weapons and we don't play a role in nuclear resources of any great magnitude," he said.
"So from New Zealand's point of view I think we can come to the table and legitimately put up the case and certainly we have been working with the related entities the IAEA, and others, to try and advance nuclear security and that's ultimately the issue. I think we are a non-threatening country that comes to the table with a clean pair of hands."
In a subsequent statement Mr Key welcomed the new US policy to reduce its reliance on nuclear weapons.
"The review clearly states the long-term objective of US policy is the complete elimination of nuclear weapons, and implements the first of the actions that will be needed to get there.
"The review also recommits the United States to a strengthened global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime."
Mr Key said the developments were concrete steps toward a nuclear free world.
He leaves for the US tomorrow and will spend a few days on holiday there before the two-day summit on April 12 and 13.
