Milestones on the Road to Nuclear Disarmament
“In recognition of the fact that President Obama isconsistently, diligently working to improve the national security
posture of the United States, Blog for Iowa will publish major addresses
by the administration concerning its policy towards nuclear
disarmament. Our intent is to be a voice to get the message out to
Iowans, something the corporate media seems uninterested in.”
Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty Review Conference Final Document Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC, May 28, 2010
The consensus Final Document adopted today at the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference advances the President’s vision for the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons and a realistic path to achieve that goal. It includes calls for substantive measures to strengthen the nonproliferation regime and establishes benchmarks for future progress. This Final Document reaffirms the strong support of the international community for the Treaty as the cornerstone of the international nonproliferation regime.
Specific text adopted in the Final Document includes:
Non-Proliferation:
Emphasizes resolving all cases of noncompliance with safeguards obligations in full conformity with the IAEA statute. (Only one state party in attendance has been found to be in noncompliance with its safeguards obligations.) Action 27
Underscores the importance of the IAEA exercising fully its mandate and authority to verify states’ nuclear activities, including the absence of undeclared activities. Paragraph 24
Supports strengthening the IAEA and assuring it has sufficient resources to effectively meet its safeguards responsibilities, a key priority of the United States. Paragraphs 24 and 25 and Action 33
Calls for strengthened export controls, including whether a recipient has brought into force IAEA safeguards obligations when making decisions on exports of nuclear technology. Actions 35-37
Urges parties to improve standards to combat illicit trafficking in nuclear materials and become parties to the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism. Action 45
Compliance:
For the first time in any NPT final document, the Review Conference has addressed abuse of the Treaty’s withdrawal provisions, a major stated U.S. objective, recognizing the view that withdrawing parties are responsible for violations committed while a party to the treaty and that nuclear suppliers should incorporate dismantling and/or return clauses in the event of withdrawal. Paragraphs 118-122 in the President’s Statement
Disarmament:
Supports the start of negotiations, without delay, of a fissile material cutoff treaty – a top U.S. priority. Paragraph E.i and Action 15
Reaffirms the importance of the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, calls upon all states to refrain from nuclear weapon test explosions in the meanwhile, and supports the full development of the CTBTO’s verification regime. Actions 10- 14
Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Technology:
Nuclear Security:
Acknowledges the Nuclear Security Summit and carries forward its recommendatio
ns, including recognition of the IAEA’s role in promoting nuclear security cooperation and best practices and the need to minimize the use of highly enriched uranium in the civilian sector. Paragraphs 66-70 and Action 61
To read this document and others by members
of
the administration, click
here.
To
read
President Obama's
speech on April 5, 2009 in Prague, Czech Republic, click
here.
~Paul
Deaton is a native Iowan living in rural Johnson County and weekend
editor of Blog for Iowa. He is also a member of Iowa Physicians for
Social Responsibility and Veterans for Peace. E-mail Paul
Deaton
Blog For Iowa 