GENEVA, 30 APRIL 2008: MAPW Vice-President Tilman Ruff is currently in Geneva attending the NPTi PrepCom (28 April – 9 May), an important meeting of states which are parties to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Tilman is one of two NGOi representatives invited to be on the official Australian delegation.

ICANi Board Member and volunteer Tim Wright is also at the meeting and is posting excellent and informative daily reports: icanw.blogspot.com/

Tim Wright writes:

• On the Australian government’s role:

“This week’s Non-Proliferation Treaty meeting is an ideal opportunity for the new Australian Government to start restoring our nation’s former reputation in this field — by putting into action Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s promise to engage in “creative middle power diplomacy”. Our contribution to the elimination of nuclear weapons could be significant.”

“In a statement to the meeting this morning [Monday], Australia’s disarmament ambassador Caroline Miller announced that the Rudd Government is committed to playing 'a new, more active role in multilateral affairs' with respect to nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.”

However, Miller did not confirm whether the government will carry through the ALP’s pre-election promise to “lead the international agenda for a nuclear weapons convention” – a treaty to ban nuclear weapons and ensure their elimination.”

• NGOs call for a NWC

“One of the really positive things about this meeting so far has been the emphasis on the NWC among NGOs. It truly is central to everything that’s happening here. It’s generally acknowledged that ICAN should take much for the credit for this renewed enthusiasm for the NWC – so well done, everyone! Most of the NGO events have been about the NWC, and even when the events aren’t about the NWC, the questions directed at people seem to be about the NWC!”

More detailed NGO reports: www.reachingcriticalwill.org/

Australia’s opening statement:
www.reachingcriticalwill.org/legal/npt/prepcom08/statements/AustraliaApril28.pdf).