News in Brief Michael Spies | Reaching Critical Will of WILPF
News in Brief section from the NPT News
in Review, the daily NGO newsletter from the third session
of the
Preparatory Committee for the 2010 nuclear Non-Proliferation
Treaty Review Conference Wednesday, 6 May 2009
The Agenda
• According to sources, one delegation is objecting
to the proposed agenda for the 2010 RevCon. The agenda is
reportedly adapted from the agenda used by the 2000 RevCon,
with appropriate technical updates. Some expressed skepticism
that the PrepCom would be prepared to take action on the agenda
by Wednesday.
• Many delegations hoped the agenda would take into
account developments subsequent to 2000, however, this position
does not seem to enjoy consensus.
Procedural Matters
• The PrepCom decided to continue and finish its
general debate on Wednesday morning. About nine delegations
remained on the speakers list.
Highlights from the General Debate
Message from US President Obama
• US President Obama sent a message to the PrepCom,
delivered by the US delegation. In his message, President
Obama recalled his 5 April Prague speech, describing the basic
NPT bargain as sound and appealing to states to strengthen
the Treaty to deal with terrorism and to improve safeguards.
He urged governments to pursue common ground, rather than
focusing on differences.
Balance Implementation of the Treaty
• In a key reversal of previous policy, the United States
reaffirmed the 1995 and 2000 outcomes, in particular the indefinite
extension and the 1995 resolution on the Middle East. The
US delegation warned, however, that states must be mindful
of how global circumstances have changed. The United States
announced it will pursue a review process that seeks a balance
on all three pillars of the Treaty.
• El Salvador and Viet Nam stressed the need for implementation
of the 13 steps. Turkey reaffirmed the 13 steps as important.
• The Holy See set out five measures where action can
be taken quickly, including: entry into force of the CTBT;
conclusion of an FMCT; downplaying the role of nuclear weapons
in security doctrines; the strengthening of safeguards; adherence
of all states to relevant agreements; and addressing the nuclear
fuel cycle.
• Kuwait described ten elements for agreement in 2010,
including: full implementation of the NPT and especially articles
IV and VI; implementing the outcome of the tenth special session
of the General Assembly; requesting all non-party states to
accede to the NPT immediately; reaffirming the right to nuclear
energy; working with the IAEA to resolve ambiguities in nuclear
programmes through dialogue and negotiation; achieving entry
into force of the CTBT; concluding an instrument to prohibit
the use of nuclear weapons and on security assurances; realizing
the goal of the 1995 NPT resolution; establishing a subsidiary
body to the RevCon to discuss the 1995 resolution and to decide
on a follow-up mechanism; and supporting an international
conference on convening of a nuclear weapon free zone in the
Middle East.
Non-Proliferation
• The United States continued to call for more authority
for the NPT regime in dealing with non-compliance and for
more resources for the IAEA’s verification activities.
The US delegation expressed the desire for parties to make
proposals to deal with treaty violators.
• A few delegations addressed the issue of the DPRK.
Ukraine and Iceland called on the DPRK to renounce nuclear
weapons and return to the NPT. Indonesia and Iceland called
on the DPRK to return to the Six Party Talks.
• On Iran, Indonesia and Kuwait emphasized diplomacy,
with Indonesia expressing approval of the new approach of
United States to pursue negotiations with Iran without preconditions.
Iceland emphasized the need for Iran to comply with its international
obligations.
Nuclear Energy and the Fuel Cycle
• The United States said it fully recognizes the right
of all states to pursue nuclear energy. Reflecting President
Obama’s Prague speech, the US delegation acknowledged
that any measures based on denial of rights would be unsuccessful.
• A number of delegations expressed support for an international
nuclear fuel bank, including Austria, Kuwait, and the United
States. Austria said such a fuel bank, can only be a first
step toward multilateralism of the fuel cycle.
Disarmament
• The United States reported on progress with Russia
on achieving a replacement to START, further pledging their
best efforts toward that end. The US delegation reaffirmed
President Obama’s pledge to pursue the entry into force
of the CTBT and to secure ratifications of the remaining states.
The US delegation further expressed hope that renewed US flexibility
would help break the deadlock in the CD on an FMCT.
• A large number of delegations1
continued to welcome recent top level reaffirmations of achieving
disarmament from Russia and the United States, including in
particular, the renewed US commitment to the CTBT, a verifiable
FMCT, and the US/Russian pledge to pursue a follow on to START.
• Viet Nam expressed the hope that the RevCon will support
convening of SSOD-IV.
Institutional Reform
• Costa Rica expressed support for Canada’s proposal
for NPT annual meetings. Costa Rica also expressed support
for establishment of a standing bureau.
Notes
1. Ukraine, Indonesia, Norway, Bangladesh,
Viet Nam, Iraq, Morocco, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Austria, Costa
Rica, Kuwait
