From Sam Nunn, the International Herald Tribune: At Lisbon, NATO should state that: As long as U.S. tactical nuclear weapons remain deployed in Europe, all of NATO has a stake in their security; all of NATO also has a stake in the security of Russian tactical nuclear arms; and Russia has an equal stake in the security of NATO weapons as well as their own. The United States, NATO and Russia got in to this dilemma together; they need to get out together.
This security imperative should drive NATO and Russia to move without delay to adopt a series of steps that will improve the security of tactical nuclear weapons now, and pave the way for further consolidation, reduction and elimination of these weapons throughout the Euro-Atlantic zone.
These steps would be focused on security, transparency and confidence-building, and they should not require a new treaty or even a formal agreement.
These joint measures could include:
• A threat assessment, focused on how terrorists might seek to penetrate sites where tactical nuclear weapons are located and gain access to a nuclear bomb;
• A security assessment, focused on identifying necessary improvements in site security in light of the terrorist threat;
•A recovery exercise, where NATO and Russian forces would work together to recover nuclear material stolen by a terrorist group;
• A site visit to a NATO and Russian base where tactical nuclear weapons are located to encourage improved security and build confidence;
• A commitment not to locate tactical nuclear weapons with operational units in the field; and
• A declaration of the total number of tactical nuclear weapons located in the Euro-Atlantic region.
There is every reason for NATO and Russia to work together on these issues now — before a nuclear Munich.
Sam Nunn is co-chairman of the Nuclear Threat Initiative and a former U.S. Senator from Georgia. (photo: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)
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