Not to worry, says US

August 17, 2016

US says it will maintain nuclear deterrence

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20160817_12/

A State Department spokesperson says the United States will continue to maintain a credible deterrent for itself and its allies, while seeking to diminish the role of nuclear weapons in security strategy.

Mark Toner made the remark on Tuesday. He was responding to concerns about a media report that President Barack Obama is considering a proposal to declare a policy of "No First Use" of nuclear weapons.

The report said top US government officials as well as Japan and other allies had expressed concern about such a move.

Toner referred to Obama's landmark speech in Prague in 2009 that urged a path toward a world without nuclear weapons.

He said the Obama administration will assess whether there are possible additional steps that can be taken to reduce the role of nuclear weapons and strengthen the global nonproliferation regime.

Toner did not comment directly on whether the administration is considering a "No First Use" policy.