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 The BBC's John Pienaar reports"He is the latest in a new breed of philanthropist"  real 28k  Michael Douglas"I'm just trying to bring more awareness to the issue"  real 28kMichael Douglas"The UK has a responsibility" real 28k |
Mr Douglas met with Mr Cook at the Foreign Secretary's official residence, Carlton Gardens in London on Tuesday as part of his two day visit to London to promote nuclear disarmament.
The actor pressed Mr Cook to enlist Prime Minister Tony Blair's support to raise the issue internationally.
Speaking in a packed meeting room in the Houses of Parliament on Monday night, Mr Douglas said treaties aimed at stopping the proliferation of nuclear weapons were under threat.
The horrific prospect opens up of a world of nuclear anarchy where any feud between countries could degenerate into a death warrant for the entire planet  |
Michael Douglas
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'Death warrant'
Mr Douglas was appointed a United Nations ambassador for nuclear disarmament by Secretary General Kofi Annan in 1998.
The actor told MPs: "The treaties are in danger of coming apart at a time when more material for making weapons of mass destruction is available worldwide than ever before.
"The horrific prospect opens up of a world of nuclear anarchy where any feud between countries could degenerate into a death warrant for the entire planet."
With officials from Downing Street and the UK Foreign Office in the audience, Mr Douglas appealed for Mr Blair to take the lead in moves to save the treaties.
He said: "Britain is uniquely placed to assume a leadership role: strong influence is required in Washington and as a result of the special relationship between our two countries, the influence of the British is particularly strong.
"Prime Minister Blair commands great respect. Given the impasse between the US and Russia it is time for another nuclear power to take the initiative."
'Nuclear anoraks'
Mr Douglas was welcomed to the Commons by Aberdeen North MP Malcolm Savidge, chairman of the all-party group on global security and non-proliferation, and Dr Cilla Elworthy of the Oxford Research Group, which studies nuclear disarmament.
 UN wants to curb nuclear proliferation in South Asia
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And he added: "Can I also congratulate you for inspiring a mass turn out of MPs - they would not have come to hear me."
Answering questions, Mr Douglas said he was shocked that nuclear proliferation had not been an issue in the US presidential elections.
He said: "We have been trying to make it an issue and both the nominees have been ducking it."
The Non-Proliferation Treaty, which provides for international restraints and inspections of nuclear programmes around the world, is reassessed by its signatories every five years, and it will be reviewed in April at the UN in New York.
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