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Summary of Statements By Topic
Statements made at the 2004 Session
of the
Conference on Disarmament
Click on a Topic:
Fissile Material Cut Off Treaty
PAROS
Subsidiary Body on Nuclear Disarmament
Negative Security Assurances
A5 Agenda
Verification
Terrorism
During the second session, the CD held informal
plenaries on the substantive issues facing the Conference. While
these sessions were off the record, the CD President offered summaries
of the discussions:
PAROS
NSAs, New types of weapons including
radiological, and Comprehensive Programme of Disarmament
Fissile Material Cut Off Treaty
Australia, 12 August
"Australia's position is that to be credible and effective,
the FMCT should include appropriate verification arrangements. But
as with any verification system it will be essential that FMCT verification
provide confidence that Treaty commitments are being complied with."
Bangladesh, March 16
"Bangladesh supports the negotiating mandate for a nondiscriminatory,
multilateral and international and effectively verifiable treaty
banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons and
other explosive devises. Negotiations should extend to existing
stockpiles without which any such treaty will be incomplete."
Canada, March 16
"Negotiations towards a Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty, consideration
of pressing nuclear disarmament issues, discussions on options to
prevent an arms race in outer space, and negotiation of negative
security assurances - all of these urgent projects have been held
hostage to a stalemate between a handful of members."
On negotiating FMCT as part of NPT's 13 steps: "To
date this process has not yet been re-started, despite an agreed
negotiating mandate and the acknowledged importance we all attach
to the ban of the production of fissile materials. Why should the
start of such formal talks, such a small step forward, remain so
difficult?"
Japan, August 5
"Japan believes that the FMCT should be effectively verifiable,
as referred to in the Shannon Mandate. An effective verification
regime is essential to enhance transparency and accountability of
fissile material production in each country, thereby ensuring credibility
of the treaty."
Norway, June 24
“While several delegations, including my own, have negotiations
on a Fissil[e] Material Cut Off Treaty as their first priority there
has been expressed a corresponding willingness on the part of many
of these delegations to address other issues….”
Poland, February 12
"In my view the re-establishment of this committee [Ad Hoc
Committee on FMCT] now should be viewed as a key element of rebuilding
the credibility of the Conference and should become a proof that
we are going to consistently implement the decisions that we undertook
on the basis of the consensus."
Slovakia, January 29
"I can reiterate the priority of the Slovak Republic which
is negotiating an FMCT, based on the once already approved mandate
as a starting point. We believe that this mandate can be further
elaborated in a way that would address all aspects of concern and
interest of both individual member states and regional groups. We
believe that this would be the most logical reopening of the game
in the CD after a 7 years long break in negotiations."
Sri Lanka, March 18
"Sri Lanka supports the establishment of an ad hoc committee
in the Conference on Disarmament to negotiate a non-discriminatory
and effectively verifiable multilateral treaty banning the production
of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive
devices, taking into consideration both disarmament and nuclear
non proliferation objectives."
Sweden, March 16
"It is also high time that negotiations are allowed to begin
on a treaty that would end the production of fissile material, the
key component of nuclear weapons. "
United States, July 19
"...the United States reaffirms our commitment to the negotiation
in the CD of a legally binding treaty banning the production of
fissile material for nuclear weapons or nuclear explosives...The
U.S. policy review, however, raised serious concerns that realistic,
effective verification of an FMCT is not achievable. We look forward
to presenting our concerns in detail about verification in the CD.
We believe an FMCT is ripe for negotiations and must have a clean
mandate that is not linked to other unrelated proposals for CD Ad
Hoc Committees."
PAROS
Bangladesh, March 16
"The onus lies on countries that have the capability to reach
outer space to ensure that outer space is used exclusively for peaceful
purposes. We are convinced that prevention of an arms race in the
outer space is possible only through a legally binding international
instrument. We hope there will be an early commencement of negotiations,
for an international legally binding treaty to prevent deployment
of arms in outer space."
Canada, March 16
"Canadian thinking on outer space has evolved. We remain firmly
opposed to the deployment of weapons in space. Yet we also recognize
the need to ensure the safety of satellites vital to our security
and prosperity. We have therefore developed a new comprehensive
approach seeking to integrate space security issues with the international
community's need for secure and equitable access to space for peaceful
purposes. On March 25th and 26th, this approach will be introduced
at a seminar entitled "Safeguarding Space for All", sponsored
by the UN Institute for Disarmament Research as well as key NGOs
and the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs."
See also Canada, August 26,
for suggested terms of reference
China, February 12
"It is in the interest of all countries and peoples to prevent
weapons from proliferating into outer space, which must never become
"the fourth space" for arms race and war."
China, August 26
"...for the time being, a future outer space legal instrument
can be formulated without a verification mechanism... in view of
the urgent need for a legal instrument on PAROS, this course of
action can address the problem of verification becoming the obstacle
to an early start of work on PAROS."
DPRK, February 12
"The prevention of the deployment of weapons and an arms race
in outer space becomes a pressing task facing the international
community. With the abrogation of ABM Treaty and the accelerated
development of missile defense system, outer space risks being weaponized.
Outer space should not be allowed to become a sphere of military
confrontation and it should be used for peaceful purpose as the
common heritage of mankind. Therefore, the DPRK holds that a legally-binding
international instrument is vital to preventing an arms race in
outer space. In this context, we consider that the proposal of negotiating
a treaty on the prevention of an arms race in outer space initiated
by the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation
will contribute to ensuring the world peace."
France, August 26
“Nous soutenons toujours la constitution d’unj comité
spécial sur la prevention de la militarization de l’espace
extra atmosphérique, au depart une idée française.”
Norway, June 24
“…those who advocate the prominence of nuclear disarmament
or militarization of outer space have not rejected the importance
of FMCT. We do not seem to talk to each other from different sides
of the globe. This should be good news.”
Russia, August 26
"Although (some) outer space systems have military predestination,
they obviously are not weapons, as they are not designated to strike
an enemy in a military combat and do not create a threat of attack
in outer space or from outer space."
"The placement of weapons in outer space could undermine existing
arms control agreements, first and foremost those related to nuclear
weapons and missiles....(and) may negate all efforts in disarmament
in nuclear, missile and other spheres, give a strong boost to proliferation
of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, contribute
to emergence of new forms of terrorism which may seem fantastic
now."
A PAROS treaty "should provide for three basic obligations:...a
modified language of the 1967 OST...applied...to all weapons...second,
'not to resort to the threat or use of force against outer space
objects'...third, 'not to assist or encourage other States...in
activities prohibited by the Treaty.'"
"Russia proposed to declare a moratorium on placement of weapons
in outer space, pending a conclusion of an appropriate agreement
by the international community."
See also Russia, August 26
Sri Lanka, August 26
"Mr. President as far back as 1985 Sri Lanka had proposed a
moratorium on the testing and development of space weapons preceding
multilateral negotiations on a treaty to prohibit weapons in space.
We see merit therefore in recent calls for a series of independent
declarations from major space faring nations that they would not
be the first to deploy weapons in space, which would provide considerable
protection to existing space assets until a treaty could be negotiated."
Sweden, August 26
"Sweden supports the establishment of an ad hoc committee in
the CD to deal with outer space.
We would suggest- as a first step- that time be allocated in the
CD for informal technical meetings involving a wider range of actors
in the space field, for example, from international organizations,
space agencies, space law and the private sector... It would also
be useful in order to delineate what can be usefully done in the
CD and what should be, or are being done in other fora."
Subsidiary Body on Nuclear Disarmament
Algeria, September 7
"Le besoin d’efficacité qui doit leur être
attaché devra se traduir aux plans fonctionnel et organique.
D’abord au plan fonctionnel, un comité spécial
, doté d’un mandate de négociation d’une
sur le désarmement nucléaire, est la voie la plus
courageuse et la plus rationnelle. C’est dans cette voie que
la négociation d’une convention sur l’interdiction
des matières fissiles trouve sa place. Ensuite sur un plan
organique, la convergence des efforts et des aspirations de tous
vers la conférence du désarmement, seul organe de
négociation multilatérale en matière de désarmement,
conféreait aux négociations plus de légitimité
et serait de nature à consolider l’engagement de toutes
les nations envers la non proliferation et le désarmement
nucléaires...
"La suspension des négociations bilatérales
pour la reduction des stocks entre Etats nucléaires, la confusion
du civil et du militaire duans l’utilisation de l’espace
extra atomsphérique projettent de lourdes inquietudes. C’est
pourquoi l’Algérie continuera à appeler à
la creation au sein de la Conférence du Désarmement
le plus rapidement possible d’un comité de négociations
sur ces questions."
Ireland, March 16
"For our part, Ireland supports the establishment in the CD
of a subsidiary body to deal specifically with the issue of nuclear
disarmament. We believe that the CD should commence negotiations
on a Treaty dealing with fissile material. We see merit in embarking
on a process which could eventually lead to an agreement on the
non-weaponisation of outer space. At the same time we are realistic
and appreciate that this body is unlikely to start negotiations
across a wide range of issues at the same time."
Poland, February 12
"...subsidiary bodies can be established to negotiate the new
treaties. However, the word "including" suggests that
subsidiary bodies might be established to discuss issues other than
those devoted to negotiate treaties that were accepted by all in
this room. It has been a long accepted practice."
Negative Security Assurances
Bangladesh, March 16
"Non-nuclear state parties to the NPT have a legitimate right
to receive an unconditional assurance form the Nuclear weapons states
that they will not use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against
them. It is, therefore, critically important that renewed and vigorous
efforts are taken on a priority basis to conclude a universal, unconditional
and legally binding instrument to provide security assurances to
Non-nuclear weapon states."
Canada, March 16
"Negotiations towards a Fissile Material Cutt-Off Treaty, consideration
of pressing nuclear disarmament issues, discussions on options to
prevent an arms race in outer space, and negotiation of negative
security assurances - all of these urgent projects have been held
hostage to a stalemate between a handful of members."
DPRK, February 12
"Unconditional security assurance against the use of nuclear
weapons to Non-Nuclear States becomes a vital issue for nuclear
disarmament and in the context of the purpose of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation
Treaty (NPT). It is an escapist act to pursue nothing but non-proliferation
of nuclear weapons, evading the issue of Negative Security Assurances.
This issue is essential to the existence of Non-Nuclear States and
the promotion of the global nuclear disarmament.
In the past more than fifty odd years, Nuclear Weapon States disparately
declared their commitments to security assurances against the use
of nuclear weapons. However, in reality, nuclear threat by Nuclear
Weapon State against Non-Nuclear States is being openly uttered
and even integrated into its policy, as their commitments are unilateral,
conditional and legally unbound. It proves that the unilateral commitments
made by Nuclear Weapon States could never prevent a nuclear war.
From this point of view, the DPRK delegation insists that the doctrine
of preemptive nuclear attack should be abandoned. It also insists
that a legally-binding international arrangements to assure unconditionally
non-nuclear states against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons
and aiming at the total elimination of all nuclear weapons should
be secured."
Islamic Republic of Iran, January 29
"In the interim the Non-Nuclear Weapon States do have a right
to treaty bound negative security assurances."
Nigeria, March 11
"...refusal to conclude a legally-binding multilateral agreement
to extend Negative Security Assurances against the use or threat
of use of nuclear weapons to the developing countries that have
renounced the possession of nuclear weapons can only reinforce these
impressions [specifically, the questioning of commitment to disarmament
and non-proliferation]."
Norway, June 24
“It is our hope and belief that the nuclear weapons states
will take the concerns of the non-nuclear weapon states seriously
into account when NSAs are dealt with in the future, whether it
is in the context of the CD or the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.”
A5 Agenda
Algeria, September 7
"La suspension des négociations bilatérales pour
la reduction des stocks entre Etats nucléaires, la confusion
du civil et du militaire duans l’utilisation de l’espace
extra atomsphérique projettent de lourdes inquietudes. C’est
pourquoi l’Algérie continuera à appeler à
la creation au sein de la Conférence du Désarmement
le plus rapidement possible d’un comité de négociations
sur ces questions."
Bangladesh, March 16
"The A5 proposal, as it has come to be popularly known, represents
a cross-regional initiative for a Programme of Work for the CD.
The proposal does not necessarily meet all expectations. But we
must not forego the "good" in search of the "best".
This may never happen. In our view, the proposal seems balanced
and a good basis for reaching a consensus."
Canada, March 16
"The Five Ambassadors' Proposal already on the table is reasonable
and widely supported, and I urge all of you here to support it as
the basis for an agreed Program of Work."
Canada,
July 29
"...we have suggested that a stream-lined version of A5 consisting
of a renewal of negotiations on a FMCT under the agreed Shannon
mandate, coupled with the establishment of Ad Hoc Committees to
discuss nuclear disarmament and Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer
Space, would represent a solid, initial program to get the CD back
into operational mode."
China, February 12
"China continues to hold the view that the Conference on Disarmament
should reach agreement on a program of work as suggested by the
Five Ambassadors (CD/1693/Rev.1), so as to start substantive work
to negotiate international legal instruments on its important agenda
items..."
China, August 26
"Frankly speaking, the Chinese side is not satisfied at all
with the 'A5 Proposal' since its mandate on PAROS is far too weak.
However, the 'A5 Proposal' at least strikes a delicate and acceptable
balance between various issues."
Colombia, January 29
"La propuesta de los Cinco Embajadores ha venido haciendo camino
gracias a su flexibilidad, lo que ha permitido incorporar ajustes
que la acercan cada vez mas a su adopcion por este foro."
DPRK, February 12
"In this respect, my delegation views that the "Five Ambassadors"
proposal still remains the basis for our work in the CD, even though
it needs further refinement. Therefore, the DPRK is supportive of
the A-5 proposal and considers it as a package which should not
be de-linked."
Italy, February 5
"The "Five Ambassadors" proposal should in our view
remain the basis for our deliberations."
Islamic Republic of Iran, January 29
"Thus the five ambassadors' initiative, a valuable cross-regional
venture, is considered as a remarkable step in the right direction
that should be built upon."
Myanmar, February 18
"...I should like to propose a few amendments to A5's proposal
with a view to facilitating the ongoing intensive consultations
in order to reach consensus on a programme of work as soon as possible."
"Myanmar's proposed amendments consist of two parts: establishment
of the Ad Hoc Committee (i) establishment of four Ad Hoc Committees
on the four main subjects; and Appointment of the Special Coordinators."
"First, I should like to stress that draft I on the establishment
of the four Ad Hoc Committees on nuclear disarmament, fissban, prevention
of an arms race in outer space (PAROS) and security assurances (SA),
respectively, is our priority."
Nigeria,
March 11
"Although the A5 proposal does not meet Nigeria's expectation
in the area of giving a negotiating mandate on nuclear disarmament,
we nevertheless support it in the usual spirit of flexibility."
Poland, February 12
"The proposal on the programme of work made by five ambassadors
- former presidents of the CD - gave us a ground to bring closer
our positions. It gave the impetus to fresh thinking in key capitals,
to new considerations, which hopefully would bring us to a start
line."
Serbia and Montenegro, March 11
"My country supports the efforts of the Member States to that
end and sees the 5A initiative as the solid basis for further discussion
that could result with a consensus on the program of work during
this year's session."
Slovakia, January 29
"...Slovakia has queued up with those delegations that favour
the adoption of a complete programme of work on the basis of the
A5 proposal...viewed as an open framework, with no rigid linkages,
but taking into account the legitimate expectations and interests
of all members, taking into account the legitimate expectations
of the whole international community, because peace and security
are the matter of all, not only of the 66 members of the CD."
Spain, February 5
"Sra. Presidenta, como todos saben en este foro, España
apoya la propuesta de los 5 Embajadores. La apoyó desde el
inicio y la sigue apoyando ahora. Esta propuesta, en opinión
española, tiene el mérito de ser evolutiva y de que
sus distintos elementos no están obligatoriamente vinculados
entre ellos."
"Por otra parte, quisiera añadir que, sin perjuicio
de la bondad intrínseca del conjunto de la propuesta, también
es cierto que si hoy la aprobásemos en su totalidad no estarían
nuestras delegaciones en condiciones de negociar y tratar simultáneamente
todos los temas que figuran en esta propuesta."
"Una posibilidad de resultado equilibrado, y realista, podría
girar en torno a, por una parte, una negociación para un
Tratado para la limitación del material fisible para explosivos
nucleares (FMCT en las siglas en ingles), puesto que ya tenemos
un mandato negociador, y, por otra parte, tratar de la cuestión
de evitar una carrera de armamentos en el espacio ultraterrestre
(PAROS en las siglas inglesas), ya que en esta cuestión se
ha producido, como antes aludía, una modificación,
una enmienda, en la propuesta de los 5 Embajadores que debiera de
acercarnos en esta materia al consenso y al acuerdo."
Sri Lanka, March 18
"...proposals submitted by the five Ambassadors are very useful
and we must thank them for their untiring efforts. Sri Lanka fully
supports these proposals."
Switzerland, September 7
"Mon pays estime que la proposition des cinq ambassadeurs est
le résultat d’un effort raisonnable de créativité
et de volonté de dépasser le cadre des postures nationals.
Cette proposition troue sa filiation dans les propositions qui l’ont
précédée et met l’accent sur les points
de convergence de chacune d’entre elles. Je lance un appel
à tous les Etats qui ne l’ont pas encore fait d’accepter
cetter proposition ou, si nécessaire, d’y apporter
leurs éventuelles suggestions d’amendements."
Verification
Australia, 12 August
"Australia's position is that to be credible and effective,
the FMCT should include appropriate verification arrangements. But
as with any verification system it will be essential that FMCT verification
provide confidence that Treaty commitments are being complied with."
Bangladesh, March 16
"We attach great importance to the strict adherence, nondiscriminatory
enforcement and verification of their [disarmament related treaties,
specifically NPT, CTBT, CWC, CCW respective goals."
Canada, March 16
"The fact that determined proliferators were able to circumvent
their treaty obligations so easily highlights the extent to which
it is urgent to reinforce compliance and verification mechanisms...The
time has surely come to recognize that most of the verification
and compliance tools that do exist were designed to prevent the
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction during the Cold War,
and they must be adapted to today's new security environment. We
must strengthen state-to-state compliance and verification mechanisms
across the board, and ensure their effectiveness in preventing the
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to non-state actors."
Canada, August 26
"...Canada also believes that verification provisions must
be included in any space weapons ban as a necessary element of any
eventual treaty...
" We are also of the view that deciding to negotiate a space
weapons ban without verification provisions, in the hope of adding
them later, would only make such provisions more difficult to achieve
in the long run. Witness the sad experience of the proposed Verification
Protocol to the BTWC in this context."
Ireland, March 16
"We are working to support the multilateral institutions charged
with verification and upholding compliance with the Treaties."
Japan, August 5
"Japan believes that the FMCT should be effectively verifiable,
as referred to in the Shannon Mandate. An effective verification
regime is essential to enhance transparency and accountability of
fissile material production in each country, thereby ensuring credibility
of the treaty."
Sweden, March 16
"Our possibilities to detect, at an early stage, non-compliance
must be strengthened through effective use of existing verification
arrangements and by devising new complementary mechanisms."
"The EU will also support the establishment of additional international
verification instruments."
"A binding and verifiable disarmament agreement on non-strategic
nuclear weapons should be negotiated."
United States, February 26
"The President also proposed to enhance the IAEA's capability
to ensure compliance by creating a special committee of the IAEA's
Board of Governors to focus intensively on safeguards and verification."
United States, July 19
"...the United States reaffirms our commitment to the negotiation
in the CD of a legally binding treaty banning the production of
fissile material for nuclear weapons or nuclear explosives...The
U.S. policy review, however, raised serious concerns that realistic,
effective verification of an FMCT is not achievable. We look forward
to presenting our concerns in detail about verification in the CD.
We believe an FMCT is ripe for negotiations and must have a clean
mandate that is not linked to other unrelated proposals for CD Ad
Hoc Committees."
United Kingdom, February 26
"The Agency [IAEA] has done well to meet a growing verification
workload within the constraints of its budget. But we should not
ask it forever to do more within the same resources. We may need
seriously to consider further strengthening of its Safeguards Division."
Terrorism
Canada, March 16
"The ownership and control of weapons of mass destruction and
their delivery systems used to be confined to States; but as we
now know, there are now non-state actors with access to sophisticated
weapons, an interest in acquiring WMD and the clear intent to use
those weapons."
"Under our leadership, G8 governments and others have committed
to raise up to 20 billion US dollars to promote disarmament and
non-proliferation, initially in Russia, to prevent the terrorist
acquisition of WMD."
China, August 26
"China is relatively open to 'new issues' to be considered
by the CD. However, we believe such work should not impede the CD's
effort to come up with a comprehensive programme of work. The choice
of 'new issues' to work on the CD should be preferably consistent
with the nature of the CD, that is, the objective of such work should
be the negotiation of an international legal instrument."
Colombia, January 29
"La grave preocupacion al abordar el tema dramaticamente real
del terrorismo y las armas de destruccion masiva, es la de como
prevenir que grupos terroristas adquieran materiales o armas nucleares,
quimicas, radiologias o biologicas. Como cooperar efectivamente
en la materia? Hay trabajos y practicas significativas desarrolladas
por el G-8 que seria importante analizar en detalle. El debate en
si mismo es de trascendental itneres. No olvidemos que el terrorismo
cuenta con una solida financiacion basada en sus vinculos con el
crimen organizado y la delincuencia transnational. Colombia, como
nacion que padece el flagelo de un terrorismo financiado por los
inverosimiles recursos generados por las drogas ilicitas, es peculiarmente
sensible a un tema tan delicado como la desviacion de armas y materiales
de destruccion masiva hacia los grupos terroristas en distintas
regiones del mundo."
France,
July 29
"S’agissant enfin du programme de travail de notre Conférence,
évoqué par plusieurs délégations, la
délégation française estime que la question
des " nouveaux sujets " contribue à dynamiser nos
réflexions cette année. J’espère que
ceci pourra se refléter dans le rapport 2004 de notre Conférence."
Islamic Republic of Iran, January 29
"The events of 9/11 created new challenges in the international
environment. They gave way to further militarization of the international
arena and fanned concerns over the very existence and proliferation
of weapons of mass destruction."
Ireland, March 16
With regards to weapons of mass destruction: "The international
community must strengthen their efforts to prevent their further
proliferation and the danger that these weapons could fall into
the hands of terrorists."
Israel, May 13
“Today it is clear that the threat of the proliferation of
weapons of mass destruction does not only emanate from States but
also from non-state actors. Moreover, it seems that there is also
a growing threat that terrorists and other non-state actors might
be able to obtain sensitive Weapons of Mass Destruction material,
technologies, and know-how.
As one of the countries that face these threats, Israel appreciates
international efforts to identify concrete and effective steps against
the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, in particular,
the growing threat of terrorists using Weapons of Mass Destruction.
Israel especially welcomes resolution 1540 on Weapons of Mass Destruction
adopted unanimously on the 28th of April 2004 by the Security Council.
This resolution emphasizes once again the national responsibility
to ensure that sensitive material would not fall or be transferred
to the wrong hands. Moreover, it emphasizes that international cooperation
is essential for combating illicit trafficking of weapons of mass
destruction, ballistic missiles and related material.”
Myanmar, February 18
"In the view of Myanmar delegation, the CD may address appropriate
additional issues or "out of the box issues" that may
include, among other things: measures to prevent terrorists from
acquiring weapons of mass destruction;"
"The new issues should not be a diversion from our program
of work which remains the first priority. On the contrary they should
be conducive to an overall understanding on the work to be done
this year."
Nigeria, March 11
"Is the world going to move forward into an era of meaningful
accelerated disarmament, with the net dividents of decreasing tension,
real peace, mutual trust, and accelerated global development? Or
are we going to be bedeviled with, perhaps different but equally
deadly post-cold war era foes of larger fortifications as substitute
for collective security, while the aggressive forces of poverty
and underdevelopment hold sway in three-quarters of the world, with
predictable global consequences in terrorism, proliferation of weapons
of mass destruction, destablilisation by non-state actors through
illegal trafficking and acquisition of small arms and light weapons
in many developing countries, among other new transnational threats
to security and development?"
Norway, June 24
“Interesting and important so-called new issues have been introduced,
including how to protect critical infrastructure against terrorist
attacks. This demonstrates that the CD should be an arena for discussing
both long-lasting and perhaps protracted problems as well as more
acute concerns of today.”
Poland, June 3
“The need to adapt the non-proliferation policies and approaches
to the new threats and challenges is self-evident. One of the main
tasks is not to allow falling the weapons of mass destruction into
the hands of terrorists. The co-operation of States in preventing
such a development with all its unimaginable consequences and in
ensuring the success of non-proliferation arrangements is of fundamental
importance.”
Sri Lanka, March 18
"The danger that terrorists acquiring weapons of mass destruction
no more remains in the realm of imagination as the world has already
witnessed unprecedented devastating terrorist attacks in several
countries. Therefore, all our multilaterally agreed conventions,
frameworks and agreements such as the Chemical Weapons Convention,
the Biological Weapons Convention and the IAEA safeguards agreements,
should be put into full use in order to consolidate our common determination
to fight against terrorism."
Sweden, March 16
"Lately, a series of revelations about illicit programmes of
weapons of mass destruction and attempts at proliferation have occurred.
To this is added the networks of international terrorists and the
fears that they might acquire weapons of mass destruction. These
situations pose a grave threat to us all and we must promptly join
forces to redress the present state of affairs."
"Eliminating the non strategic nuclear weapons would be a
decisive measure to prevent terrorism by nuclear weapons."
"It is alarming that terrorists are taking an interest in
biological weapons. This calls for a strengthened international
approach to non-proliferation of biological weapons and related
materials and technology."
Serbia and Montenegro, March 11
Serbia and Montenegro "pays full attention to this issue [non
proliferation of the WMD] particularly within the context of the
rising global threat of and the need to fight the terrorism around
the globe."
"The real value of each and every of these measures [disarmament]
should be judged from a specific angle, having in mind that this
region has been for years burdened with protracted crisis, thus
very favorable for all kind of illegal activities, including terrorist
acts and all forms of organized crime."
United States, February 26
"...no government can be sure that terrorists will not some
day use weapons of mass destruction against its citizens."
"The ongoing pursuit of weapons of mass destruction by a handful
of states in violation of treaty commitments and international obligations
poses multiple risks...It has also encouraged an international black
market willing and able to put the most dangerous technologies in
the hands of the world's most irresponsible regimes and individuals
including terrorists."
"Terrorists and outlaw regimes will not be dissuaded by high-minded
speeches or written agreements. We can begin by fostering an environment
in which outlaw behavior is met with universal condemnation and
with real consequences that make the costs of proliferation unsustainable."
United States, June 3
“The United States will devote $450 million to [the Global
Threat Reduction Initiative], designed to prevent terrorists from
acquiring nuclear and radiological material that could be used to
build a nuclear or radiological weapon. In response to an evolving
proliferation threat, the Global Threat Reduction Initiative will
focus exclusively on efforts to secure and dispose of a broad range
of nuclear and radiological materials around the world that are
vulnerable to theft."
777 UN Plaza - 6th Floor - New York, NY - 10017 - Ph: 212.682.1265 - Fax: 212.286.8211 - info@reachingcriticalwill.org
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