For further information contact: Michele Boyd, IEER : (240) 603-9648 John Burroughs, LCNP : (917) 439-4585 M E D I A    A D V I S O R Y Nuclear Dangers and the State of Security Treaties WHAT: Press briefing, followed by a conference, based on the report Rule of Power or Rule of Law? An Assessment of U.S. Policies and Actions Regarding Security-Related Treaties, which analyzes U.S. non-compliance with or undermining of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, and other treaties that greatly affect global security. WHERE: United Nations, New York Press briefing - UN Secretariat Building, 3rd floor, UNCA club Conference Sessions I and II- UN Secretariat Building, Conference Room B Conference Session III- Church Center, 2nd Floor of 777 UN Plaza (44th St. at 1st Ave) WHEN: Tuesday, April 9, 2002 Press briefing: 10:00 am - 11:00 am Conference Session I: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm Conference Session II: 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm Conference Session III: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm (Reception 6 - 7 pm) WHO: The press conference will feature co-editors of the report and the author of the chapter on the ICC: Dr. Arjun Makhijani, president of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research Nicole Deller, J.D., researcher/consultant for IEER and LCNP Dr. John Burroughs, executive director of the Lawyers' Committee on Nuclear Policy Pam Spees, J.D., program director of Women's Caucus for Gender Justice WHY: As governmental meetings begin on both the NPT and the ICC Statute, these and other security-related treaties face challenges from the United States. The U.S. Nuclear Posture Review violates commitments made at the 2000 NPT Review Conference. At the same time, the United States opposes the ICC Statute, which will soon enter into force. The press briefing will discuss the study by IEER and LCNP, which details evidence that U.S. policy is drifting away from regarding treaties as an essential element in global security to a more opportunistic stand of abiding by treaties only when convenient. The report concludes that this is jeopardizing the nuclear nonproliferation regime and global security. IEER's conference, Nuclear Dangers and the State of Security Treaties, will examine the connection between the erosion of security treaties and the increase of nuclear threats, including the potential for both state and non-state nuclear proliferation. Jayantha Dhanapala, UN Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs, will be the keynote speaker at Session III. (See agenda for additional speakers.) -30- Also see: Conference Agenda, Nuclear Dangers and the State of Security Treaties Rule of Power or Rule of Law? An Assessment of U.S. Policies and Actions Regarding Security-Related Treaties, IEER/LCNP press release and report, April 2002 IEER web resources on International Law/Treaties Lawyers' Committee on Nuclear Policy