Kucinich calls for nuclear abolition

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, said Sunday the United States should lead the way in ridding the world of nuclear weapons.

Appearing on ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos," Kucinich said if he is elected president he would "lead through multilateral nuclear disarmament. I mean, this is something that we have to do together."

Kucinich -- a candidate for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination -- said considering the use of nuclear weapons is "insane."

"I think that the United States must lead the way for nuclear abolition," he said. "And when any candidate says all options are on the table, notwithstanding remarks that clarify it, what we're talking about is a nuclear option, as well. That's not acceptable."

Kucinich said the United States "must have an international peacekeeping process where a president leads the way and talks with nations."

"The idea that somehow by having nuclear weapons you make the world a safer place is essentially insane. We need to have the wisdom and the knowledge to know that that nuclear sword of Damocles hangs not only over our country, but the entire world."