U.S. Joins Japan-Led Antinuclear Proposal for U.N.

New York, Oct. 15 (Jiji Press)--The United States joined Japan
Thursday in submitting a draft U.N. resolution seeking the elimination of
nuclear weapons.

The United States became the joint sponsor of such a resolution for
the first time, underscoring how serious President Barack Obama is about
pursuing a nuclear-free world.
The U.S. administration under former President George W. Bush has
opposed such an antinuclear resolution since 2001, claiming the measure runs
counter to its rejection of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
According to a Japanese diplomatic source, it also marks the first
time that a nuclear state became a joint sponsor of the resolution that has
been adopted for 15 years in a row at the U.N. General Assembly.
The draft resolution was submitted by Japan, the United States and
39 other states to the U.N. General Assembly First Committee.
The draft welcomes the recent global momentum toward nuclear
disarmament, while urging the international community to start substantive
work for progress.
In addition, the draft seeks to bring the CTBT into force at an
early date.
The resolution is expected to be adopted by the committee as early
as this month.