The Australian Conservation Foundation and the Medical Association for Prevention of War (Australia) say the current conflict in Georgia provides another reason why Australia should scrap plans to sell uranium to Russia.

“In the face of Russian military action in Georgia and threats of a possible nuclear strike against Poland, Australia should immediately discontinue plans to sell uranium to Russia. We cannot turn a blind eye to the threat of nuclear war,” said Dr Sue Wareham, President of the Medical Association for the Prevention of War (Australia)

“Australia should reject the proposed nuclear treaty with Russia and end the practice of selling bomb fuel to nuclear weapon states, all of which fail to comply with their Non-Proliferation Treaty obligations,” Dr Wareham said.

“Recent events in Georgia cast the shadow of war and nuclear threat over Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith’s decision on the Russian nuclear treaty,” said David Noonan, ACF nuclear free campaigner.

“The treaty was a proposal of former Australian Prime Minister Howard and former Russian President Putin.  It is clearly not appropriate and should have no place in Australia’s future,” he said.

General Anatoly Nogovitsyn, deputy head of Russia’s general staff, recently said Poland “is making itself a target. This is 100 per cent certain.  Such targets are destroyed as a first priority.”

Dr Sue Wareham will provide evidence to a Hearing of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties Inquiry into the proposed Russia nuclear treaty on Monday 25 August at 9:00am in Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House.