The prospect of a renewed nuclear arms race has become ever more likely with the news that North Korea has this morning launched a "satlite" into space, a move that has been interpreted by military analysts that the North Koreans are moving closing to having a nuclear weapons system.
President Obama in a speech in the Czech Republic outlined how he saw a world that was "nuclear free" and warned other nations like Iran that it would engage in a diplomatic process but would ensure that the United States maintained a nuclear deterrent.
"With this provocative act, North Korea has ignored its international obligations, rejected unequivocal calls for restraint, and further isolated itself from the community of nations," President Obama in Prague.
The prospect of Middle East states like Saudi Arabia and secular state Turkey moving towards a nuclear deterrent will be on the agenda for the US President on his visit to Ankara this week.
In London the British Government via Foreign Secretary David Milliband said:
“I strongly condemn North Korea’s action in conducting a satellite launch earlier today. This action contributes directly to their ballistic missile programme, and therefore puts North Korea in breach of UNSCR 1718. While Pyongyang continues to pursue a hostile policy towards the rest of the world, it cannot hope to take its rightful place within the international community. I strongly urge North Korea to cease immediately all further missile-related activity and commit to engaging constructively with international partners, in particular through the Six Party Talks process.”
Cape Town's 'Ghetto Ballerina' gets liftA South African ballet dancer from a poor township outside Cape Town has been given the chance to train in the United States -- all because of a documentary film, and an email from a caring viewer.
