Obama vows to secure all vulnerable nuclear material in 4 yrs

I / Washington January 28, 2010, 11:06 IST

US President Barack Obama today vowed to secure all the vulnerable nuclear material around the globe in four years; as terrorist groups like al-Qaeda are aiming at getting a hand on them.

"At April's Nuclear Security Summit, we will bring forty-four nations together behind a clear goal; securing all vulnerable nuclear materials around the world in four years, so that they never fall into the hands of terrorists," Obama said in his State of the Union Address.

In April, Obama has convened a nuclear summit in this regard, which would attended by many world leaders, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

"Even as we prosecute two wars, we are also confronting perhaps the greatest danger to the American people – the threat of nuclear weapons," Obama said.

"I have embraced the vision of John F Kennedy and Ronald Reagan through a strategy that reverses the spread of these weapons, and seeks a world without them. To reduce our stockpiles and launchers, while ensuring our deterrent, the US and Russia are completing negotiations on the farthest- reaching arms control treaty in nearly two decades," he said.

Obama said the diplomatic efforts have also strengthened America's hand in dealing with the nations that insist on violating international agreements in pursuit of these weapons.

"That is why North Korea now faces increased isolation, and stronger sanctions – sanctions that are being vigorously enforced. That is why the international community is more united, and the Islamic Republic of Iran is more isolated," Obama said.

"And as Iran's leaders continue to ignore their obligations, there should be no doubt; they, too, will face growing consequences," said the US President.