HomeMy WebLinkAbout19-065 Calling for the United States to Negotiate the Worldwide Elimination of all Nuclear Weapons Resolution 19-065
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RESOLUTION NO. 19-065
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND,
WASHINGTON, CALLING FOR THE UNITED STATES TO NEGOTIATE THE
WORLDWIDE ELIMINATION OF ALL NUCLEAR WEAPONS
WHEREAS, nuclear weapons cannot be used without catastrophic health and
humanitarian consequences that violate every principle of international law, natural justice,
public health, environmental protection, and human morality; and
WHEREAS, the continued existence of these weapons poses an intolerable risk to
human survival; and
WHEREAS, the United States, together with the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and
China, are parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and have agreed to
negotiate "in good faith" and "at an early date" the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals; and
WHEREAS, the International Court of Justice ruled, in its 1996 Advisory Opinion on
the Legality of Nuclear Weapons, that the legally binding commitment to negotiate means
"pursue in good faith and bring to a conclusion"; and
WHEREAS,in the year 2000 the United States, together with the United Kingdom,
France, Russia, and China committed to 187 other Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons treaty
signing nations that they would fulfill their commitment to accomplish the total elimination of
their nuclear arsenals;
WHEREAS, in July 2017, 122 nations drafted the Treaty on the Prohibition of
Nuclear Weapons, agreeing not to develop, test, produce, possess, stockpile, transfer,
use, or threaten to use nuclear weapons;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Port
Townsend that:
Section 1. The United States should negotiate in good faith and at an early date the total
elimination of all nuclear arsenals.
Section 2. The United States should take immediate steps to reduce the threat posed by
the continued existence of nuclear weapons and prevent the possibility of nuclear war.
Section 3. The City Clerk shall forward a copy of this resolution to US Representative
Derek Kilmer, US Senator Patty Murray, US Senator Maria Cantwell, and President Donald J.
Trump.
Resolution 19-065
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ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend at a regular meeting
thereof, held this 15th day of July 2019.
�i
eborah Sfiinisc)
Mayor
Attest: Approved as to form:
a
Joanna Sanders, MMC 1-1c di Gree iwoo
City Clerk City A t((ori 4y
