Marshall Islands’ Nuclear Arms Suit Nearly Kaput

OAKLAND, Calif. (CN) - A federal judge has tentatively dismissed a lawsuit brought by the Marshall Islands against the United States and eight other nuclear-armed nations, accusing them of refusing to stop the arms race and negotiate disarmament.

The suit sought to compel the world's nine nuclear nations - the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, Israel, India, Pakistan and North Korea - to comply with their obligations under the 1968 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

The treaty prevents non-nuclear nations from acquiring the weapons, and requires nations with nuclear arms to negotiate their elimination.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White said in a 2-page filing Wednesday that he was inclined to dismiss the case, but invited both sides to a hearing to make any arguments not detailed in any documents they've already filed.

The hearing is slated for Jan. 16.

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