Japan urged to take bigger role in nuclear group

Updated June 10, 2008 14:19:18

Australia's Prime Minister Rudd (R) and wife Therese in Kyoto, Japan, for talks with the government and emperor. [AFP]

The Australian prime minister, Kevin Rudd, says he hopes Japan will take a prominent role in a new nuclear disarmament commission Australia will establish.

He says the new commission will be co-chaired by the former Labor foreign minister, Gareth Evans.

Mr Evans was instrumental in the setting-up in 1995 of the Canberra Commission - a body with similar goals.

He says Australia can take the lead role in the push to reduce the spread of nuclear weapons.

"It's a big issue, the world wants something done, and the truth of the matter is we have not yet got the kind of momentum we need as an international community to get something done," he said.

"If this can contribute only in a small way to generating that momentum it will be worthwhile."

Mr Rudd says he wants the commission to target its recommendations at the 2010 review of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

The prime minister says he will talk to Japan's prime minister, Yasuo Fukuda, about the possibility of Japan taking a significant role in the new commission.

Call for uranium sales review

There are calls for Australia's uranium exports to be examined as part of a new international body set-up to push for nuclear disarmament.

Australia is spearheading the new Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Commission, but Greenpeace spokesman Steve Campbell says the nation's own uranium exports must come under scrutiny.

The opposition's foreign affairs spokesman, Andrew Robb, says the idea is half-baked and the commission should not be used to put-off a decision on exporting uranium to India.

The new commission is due to report next year, ahead of a review of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.