Rudd’s presumptuous decision (is any other country going along with it?) to “…establish a Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Commission…” is hardly “timely”. We have been under the threat of nuclear destruction for decades.

The whole thing is just another example of Rudd’s naivety. Rogue states are not going to give up their nuclear endeavours: the will rightly say, why can’t we have nuclear weapons while the ‘civilised’ world has them. The ‘civilised’ world will say that they cannot give up nuclear weapons as long as rogue states have them.

Rudd's hubris more than naivety. Considering there is already an international commission for that very thing.

The naivety belongs to the author, who somehow things that "For example: biological and chemical weapons abolition treaties have been negotiated successfully;" shows that nuclear weapon abolition is possible....

Bio and chem reductions (note....not abolition) are only really possible by having bigger weapons (i.e. Nuclear) to make it happen. there is no such stick in the nuclear debate.

“Another example of Rudd’s naivety” (Mr. Right). Rudd is far from naïve in the political arena. He has made three “smart” political moves so far.
They commenced with the 2020 talk-fest where matters, both great and trivial, were paraded with great publicity. Where discussion was conducted at minimum depth, carefully constrained according to preferred pre-conceptions; irrelevant other than as a soothing political massage of public perceptions.

The second was gratuitous public denigration of public service bureaucrats - the team he depended upon for information and advice. It was another purely politically-staged action. One which would not have in any way enhanced the workings of the machinery of Government; only carried out to enhance his own political status.

The third is Rudd’s self-elevation to world leadership on nuclear non-proliferation. A masterpiece of domestic political shuffling. Granting himself that title will now ease us into the flow of increased supply of Australian uranium for the proliferating aspirants to the nuclear club. Aspirants who are sure to guarantee purity of heart and mind – no weapons, no leakage of material to terrorists. Of course the uranium will be for planet-saving nuclear power stations, which will be built perfectly to safety specifications. Australian uranium mining, waste storage, re-processing maybe – early days yet; time to get advice later on these matters from enthusiastic colleague Ferguson.
John Langmore, I wish your leader’s motives were as pure as your own.

With such an accepting somewhat dumb global public, cannot imagine anything much done about Rudd's dream of a non-nuclear militaristic future.

How so with even Obama apparently out to nuke Iran if it goes against US missile diplomacy.

So despite Rudd's rosy hopes, the facts of a useless UN allowing little Israel to have even more thrustful nukes at the ready, and with US Generals determined to stay in Iraq, could reckon we'll have a real neo-colonial future not only for the Middle East, but maybe our globe?

Rudd has to look after the Labor Left's anti nuclear itch.

But simultaneously he has agreed to the continued sales of uranium to nuclear armed nations. This second tendency fulfils Rudd's obligations to the mining business and unions represented by the Labor centre and right.

Rudd's uranium sales permits such countries as China and Russia to use Australian uranium for reactors - many of which have old dangerous technology and are in earthquake prone areas.

Uranium cheaply imported from Australia free's up China and Russia's locally mined uranium for weapons uses.

As uranium and its product plutonium (the basic nuclear explosive) are scarce in Russia this has been one incentive for Russia to strip down many nuclear weapons and convert the weapon's plutonium stockpiles to peaceful uses. However cheap Australian uranium will take the pressure off this process by making the plutonium product cheaper and more plentiful.

So basically Rudd can trumpet regional non-proliferation while helping to maintain China and Russia's nuclear arsenals.

Pete

Someone told me
It's all happening at the zoo.
I do believe it.
I do believe it's true.

Hummm hummm whoooa oh hummm

It's a lifetime tumble journey
From the eastside to the park.
Just a fine and fancy ramble
To the zoo.

But ya can take a cross town bus,
If it's raining or it's cold.
And he animals will love it,
If ya do, if ya do now.

Something tells me,
It's all happening at the zoo.
I do believe it.
I do believe it's true.

Hummm hummm whoooa oh hummm

The monkeys stand for honesty
Giraffes are insincere.
And the elephants are kindly
But they're dumb.

Orangatangs are skeptical
Of changes in their cages.
And the zookeeper
Is very fond of rum.

Zebras are reactionaries.
Antelopes are missionaries,
Visions locked in secrecy.
And hampsters turn off frequently.

What the ...
Cats get to others, see!
At the zoo.
At the zoo.
At the zoo.
At the zoo.

(The Zoo. Paul Simon. 1967 )

Should be Rudds theme song.

I think those bloody Japs have a wonderful sense of humour and it's bizzare at times.

Among the first people to officially greet Rudd in Nagano were two ... Nagano Geishas.

I wonder what Theresa thought?

Shouldn't have increased the tax on my booze ... bastard