2008 Woodie Awards
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan was here earlier today to give a speech on the topic of nuclear weapons. His message included the need to address nuclear proliferation and called for the major powers to come together and actively reverse the psychology surrounding the desire to possess or further develop such weapons, a mentality that sees only the benefits such weapons will bring, like increased deterrence or safety, and totally ignorant of the costs. There may be benefits, but in the long run they are like wolves in sheeps’ clothing walking amidst a flock. The best solution is to fleece nations of their nuclear possessions, at least start a process that accelerates the reduction of the world’s nuclear arsenal.
Annan has done a terrific job leading the UN over the past 10 or so years and his messages were as clear as the crystal award he was given at the end of the speech. It’s true a clearer message could be sent by the US and other nations in possession of nuclear weapons by explicity de-nuking their stockpiles, but what are the practical ways of doing this? How do we confront the nuclear realities of North Korea and Iran? How should we face the “crisis of confidence” in limiting the spread of nukes while encouraging new nations to sign the Nonproliferation Treaty? It would have been more reassuring if he spent more time on practicalities.
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