Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan salute our Malaysian elder, Dr Ronald McCoy. Patriot are proud that this is the first time a Malaysian is awarded a Nobel prize. The 2017 Nobel Peace prize is awarded to ICAN (International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons), an organisation founded by Dr McCoy. When Dr McCoy, among others in ICAN, receives the much coveted prize in Oslo on 10 Dec 17, our Jalur Gemilang is planted in the world map of distinguished achievements.
Patriot support ICAN's call for a total ban on nuclear weapons. The disarmament has to start with the cooperation of the world's super powers. Even though it seems impossible now to expect the US and other major countries already armed with nuclear weapons to take the initiative, the people of the world has to continue to build this dream of a peaceful world.
Inspired by the failure of the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NNPT), ICAN's role today campaigning for a total ban of nuclear weapons is to be applauded and given full support. The used of depleted uranium (DU) ammunitions during the Gulf wars, and war in Bosnia-Herzokovenia, are typical examples of NNPT infringement. Today the scorch of DU return to haunt Iraq and Kosovo. Tens of thousands of innocent people are harmed. The effect may not be immediately felt during the time of first exposure to the radioactive particles, but years later. Even thousands of US war veterans ascribed the Gulf war syndrome to DU exposure. The common symptoms and harm caused by DU exposure are DNA damage leading to cancer, lung cancer, renal failure, gastro-intestinal damage, infertility, embryonic and metal toxicity, etc.
The concept of deterrence used to hold on to nuclear armament by the superpowers is deficit of sound reasoning. It would be honest to just admit that it gives unfair and perpetuation of world political and economic hegemony to the superpowers. Patriot take the stand that no superpower, no big nation, should lord over any country. We are anti-violence, peace loving, and with strong believe in harmonious co-existence on this mother earth.
