Government and Military

10 Downing Street

London SW1A 2AA

From the Private Secretary

3 April 1998

Dear Ms Zelter

The Prime Minister has asked me to thank you for your letter of 18 March about nuclear disarmament enclosing a copy of the Trident Ploughshares 2000 Handbook

I am sorry to inform you that the Prime Minister is unable to meet you, although he has noted your strong opinions on this subject. The Government was elected on a Manifesto commitment to retain Trident, while pressing for multilateral negotiations towards mutual, balanced and verifiable reductions in nuclear weapons. When satisfied with progress towards the goal of global elimination of nuclear weapons, the Government will ensure that British nuclear weapons are included in multilateral negotiations. The Government does not believe that the International Court of Justice’s (IJC) Advisory opinion requires a change in the United Kingdom’s entirely defensive nuclear deterrent posture.

The Government is continuing to examine the best way to implement its Manifesto commitment to the goal of global nuclear disarmament, particularly in the context of the Strategic Defence Review. If circumstances allow for reductions in the United Kingdom’s capabilities, the Government will be prepared to make them while maintaining a credible and effective nuclear deterrent. Maintaining strong defences is the best way to ensure the development of the peace and stability that will allow real progress towards global disarmament.

Yours sincerely

Philip Barton

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