Trident is the United Kingdom's 'independent nuclear deterrent'. It has the power to destroy an entire continent and cause global environmental damage

In July 1996 the International Court of Justice ruled that “the threat or use of nuclear weapons would generally be contrary to international law.” and further stated that “there exists an obligation to pursue in good faith and bring to a conclusion negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament in all its aspects under strict and effective international control.”

The UK government is committed to keeping Trident as a 'minimum, credible and effective nuclear deterrent', whilst at the same time stating as its goal multilateral, balanced and verifiable reductions leading to the final elimination of nuclear weapons.

The government has recently confirmed that the cost of Trident during the financial year 1997/8 was £940 Million. Others put the figure at closer to £1,500 Million.

A Gallup poll in October 1997 found that 87% of those questioned in the UK wanted to see negotiations to prohibit nuclear weapons.

Trident has been excluded from the government's Strategic Defence Review begun in 1997.

The time is ripe for the UK to take positive steps towards nuclear disarmament

Ways forward In 1996 The Canberra Commission on the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons identified a series of steps and practical measures which can be undertaken to bring about the verfiable elimination of nuclear weapons. They stated: “The opportunity now exists, perhaps without precedence or recurrence, to make a new and clear choice to enable the world to conduct its affairs without nuclear weapons and in accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations”

In 1997 a Model Nuclear Weapons Convention was produced by an international group of experts. This paper has now become an official United Nations Document. It envisions a five-phase implementation schedule, starting with measures such as taking all nuclear weapons off alert through to the destruction of all nuclear weapons.

These are just two of the substantial pieces of work which have been done recently which can be used to provide a framework and set of strategies for the phased elimination of nuclear weapons.

But we need to let our government and MPs know of our concern, and to widen awareness amongst others of the opportunity and imperative.

What you can do:

* Abolition 2000 is a growing international network working for the signing of an international treaty, by the year 2000, for the abolition of nuclear weapons. Working collaboratively at many levels and in many ways, groups in Britain are involved in setting up Citizens' Forums. These local events bring together people from different parts of the community to hear speakers and to discuss the possibilities and priorities of nuclear disarmament. The outcome can be used as material for taking up the issue with politicians, with media and with other groups, organisations and individuals. NFPB has been involved in helping organise two such events and Philip Austin, its Coordinator, would be happy to give advice and information about what is entailed in their organisation.

* Some Friends are planning to be at Faslane, the 'home' of Britain's Trident nuclear submarines, in prayerful witness in August 1998, in support of the Trident Ploughshares 2000 actions. Contact Caroline Westgate on 01434 604747 if you would like to join them. Other Friends might wish to plan vigils or other prayerful actions (particularly during August 1998).at other places to highlight a desire for nuclear disarmament,

* As outlined in the recent paper from QPS, there is an Early Day Motion (EDM 676) on "Multilateral Reductions in Nuclear Weapons" which you could ask your MP to sign. The full text of this is available from QPS and from Northern Friends Peace Board. This provides an opportunity for you to engage the interest of your MP in the issue, and to encourage them in taking further steps.

* "From the ashes of Hiroshima let understanding love arise and blossom forth" is the text on a NFPB postcard. These are available from the NFPB office at £1.00 for 10 cards. Use them to write to friends, Friends, relatives and anyone else, reminding them of the need to work for the abolition of nuclear weapons.

Some Addresses

Abolition 2000 UK - e-mail: npc@gn.apc.org

Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament - email: cnd@gn.apc.org

Quaker Peace and Service - email: stevew@quaker.org.uk

Trident Plougshares 2000 - email: reforest@gn.apc.org