December 23, 2010

Following a vote by the US Senate to ratify the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty as proposed by negotiators representing the governments of the United States and Russia, an affirmation of the treaty was issued by Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches. "Such a decision is especially meaningful in what is for Christians the season of peace," wrote Dr Tveit. He concluded, "The ratification by Russia of the New START treaty would be a welcome start to 2011."

The full text of the World Council of Churches statement follows:

Public statement on the ratification of the
New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty
23.12.2010

It is heartening that 20 years after the end of the Cold War, the United States has ratified a verifiable new treaty to reduce nuclear arsenals. Such a decision is especially meaningful in what is for Christians the season of peace. With member churches around the world we thank God for this small but significant demonstration of progress on a problem that continues to deny the hopes of people everywhere.

We also welcome cross-party support in one nation for a decision that concerns all nations. The US and other nuclear powers do not possess weapons of mass destruction in isolation. They do so against the best interests of humanity.

The New START treaty not only sets practical goals to reduce warheads and launchers. It also sends a signal that governments can do more than block international progress year after year for narrow national interests. Progress is long overdue on another step that President Obama and many other leaders link to the vision of a world without nuclear weapons – a treaty to stop production of fuel for nuclear bombs. It has been stalled at the Conference on Disarmament here in Geneva for years. In nuclear disarmament as in climate change, when powerful countries provide leadership with accountability their example helps others to do likewise.

The ratification by Russia of the New START treaty would be a welcome start to 2011. We pray that the New Year will see more such news that is good news for all.

Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit
General secretary
World Council of Churches

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 349 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 560 million Christians in over 110 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, from the [Lutheran] Church of Norway. Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.

World Council of Churches