The 2000 Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference

The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) entered into force in 1970 and bound the nuclear weapons states to achieve nuclear disarmament (Article VI) and to share commercial nuclear technology (Article IV) in return for the non-nuclear weapons states forsaking the development of nuclear weapons (Article II). The treaty also established a review process in which all the parties to the treaty would meet to evaluate to operation of the treaty every five years. After twenty-five years, the parties would meet to determine the future of the treaty. During the 1995 Review and Extension Conference, the parties to the treaty met and agreed to indefinitely extend the treaty. Among the agreements made at this extension conference was a decision to continue and strengthen the review procedures and a series of Principles and Objectives, which re-affirmed the basic obligations of all the parties to the treaty. Notably, the Principles and Objectives included a renewed commitment on the part of the nuclear weapons states to meet their Article VI obligations regarding nuclear disarmament. In April and May 2000, the parties to the NPT will meet again in New York for the first Review Conference since the decision to extend the treaty. This Review Conference will be particularly important, not only substantively, but also in evaluating whether the Principles and Objectives are being followed. However, the preparatory meetings for the conference have been highly contentious with significant disputes arising, particularly concerning the commitment of the nuclear weapons states to disarmament. The actions of the nuclear weapons states in other arenas and the stated commitment of some states to maintain their nuclear arsenals indefinitely have further raised serious concerns about whether the nuclear weapons states are adhering to their NPT obligations (see editorial on the CTBT). Recommendations In order for the 2000 Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference to be successful, the nuclear weapons states parties must make specific commitments towards meeting their obligations. The 2000 NPT Review Conference should affirm that: The interpretation of Article VI of the NPT by the International Court of Justice is binding upon the nuclear weapons states parties to the NPT, and that these states are obliged to actually accomplish nuclear disarmament "in all its aspects." Nuclear weapons states must complete de-alerting of all nuclear weapons, by separating all warheads from their delivery systems and storing them under multilateral monitoring, as soon as technically feasible. The United States and Russia, but also all other parties to the NPT, must adhere to the terms of the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty as signed in 1972, since deployment of national ballistic missile systems will increase first strike potential of nuclear arsenals. All parties must adhere strictly to the letter and spirit of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, which is both a non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament treaty, for the indefinite future. Also available on this website: Rule of Law or Nuclear Chaos? Editorial Scottish Court Acquits Nuclear Disarmament Activists Nuclear Defense and Offense: An Analysis of US Policy