WASHINGTON/AMN
Japan, South Korea, France and Britain have all privately communicated their concerns about a potential declaration by President Obama of a “no first use” nuclear-weapons policy for the United States.
U.S. allies have various reasons for objecting to what would be a landmark change in America’s nuclear posture, but they are all against it, reports Washington Post quoting U.S. officials, foreign diplomats and nuclear experts.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has expressed concern about the possible adoption by the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama of a “no first use” policy for the U.S. nuclear arsenal, according to a column carried in the Monday edition of the Washington Post.
Citing a weakening of deterrence against countries such as North Korea, Abe conveyed his concern to Adm. Harry Harris, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, columnist Josh Rogin wrote, quoting two U.S. government officials.
Rogin said Abe “personally” conveyed such a message “recently” to Harris, without providing details. But the two are likely to have discussed the issue during a meeting July 26 at the prime minister’s office in Tokyo.
“Japan, in particular, believes that if Obama declares a “no first use” policy, deterrence against countries such as North Korea will suffer and the risks of conflict will rise. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe personally conveyed that message recently to Adm. Harry Harris Jr., the head of U.S. Pacific Command, according to two government officials” Writes Post.