Selected Elements of a Programme of Action

Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

Conference on Disarmament

General Assembly First Committee

UN Disarmament Commission

Special Session on Disarmament

Selected elements of a programme of action

Working paper submitted by Canada

1. We reaffirm our commitment to Decision 2 on "Principles and Objectives for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament", adopted by the 1995 Review and Extension Conference. An effective review process is central to the full observance of the principle of "permanence with accountability". Review Conferences should identify the areas in which, and the means through which, further progress should be sought in the future to promote the full implementation of the Treaty and its universality. We firmly believe that any proposals put forward to the Review Conference should enhance and not detract from Decision 2. In that context we propose the following items for Main Committee I:

Nuclear non-proliferation

2. States Parties commit themselves to promoting the complete and comprehensive implementation of the provisions of Security Council resolution 1172 (1998). Inter alia, they call upon India and Pakistan to become non-nuclear weapon States party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and party to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty without delay and without conditions.

Nuclear disarmament (article VI)

3. The START process should be renewed, accelerated and fully implemented. The reduction targets established by the Russian Federation and the United States of America for START II and being negotiated for START III should be achieved; further substantial reductions should be pursued. The other three nuclear-weapon States should become directly engaged in this process in the near future.
4. As regards nuclear-weapon doctrines and operations, appropriate additional measures (e.g., de-alerting, de-mating, transparency, confidence-building) should be pursued.

5. Measures to reduce and eliminate the threats posed by tactical nuclear weapons should be codified, negotiated, implemented and verified.

6. The earliest possible entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty should be achieved drawing upon all measures consistent with international law. In the meantime, a universal moratorium on nuclear testing should continue to be observed.

7. The early conclusion of negotiations on a non-discriminatory, universal and internationally and effectively verifiable treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices, as initiated within the Conference on Disarmament, should be pursued. Appropriate measures to deal with stocks of fissile materials for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices should also be identified and implemented. Pending the commencement of negotiations on a fissile materials cut-off treaty, the five nuclear-weapon States should utilize the forum of the Treaty for the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons review process to issue a joint statement announcing a moratorium on the production of weapon-usable fissile material.

8. A mechanism should be devised within the Conference on Disarmament for exchange of information and the substantive discussion of nuclear disarmament issues with a view to exploring possibilities for further progress on nuclear disarmament through national, bilateral and multilateral initiatives.