Global General

NATO to debate future of nuclear arms in Europe

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-04-22 13:13

A Belgian foreign ministry spokesman said it was important to debate reducing or withdrawing tactical nuclear weapons.

"But there must be a decision by consensus within NATO. We don't know whether that is in reach," Patrick Deboeck said.

"We think it is important to maintain the credibility of nuclear deterrence, but we also see the possibility to go further," on nuclear disarmament, he said. "NATO has a role to play on tactical nuclear weapons."

Deboeck said the key point was whether such weapons should be withdrawn without Russian moves to destroy its arsenal, which is estimated at 5,400 weapons, 2,000 of which are deployable.

Tomas Valasek of the Center for European Reform think tank said tactical nuclear weapons had little military rationale, especially as their readiness had been so reduced they would take months to deploy.

But for ex-Soviet bloc states nervous about Russia, they were a symbol of US commitment to collective defense.

"I suspect the days of tactical nuclear weapons in Europe are over, barring a catastrophic meltdown in relations with Russia. It's just a matter of when and how," he said.