Nuclear Test, Bikini atoll and Enewetak, 21 October 1952.
During
the cold war the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was the
cornerstone of international efforts to control the balance of nuclear
bomb-making technology. In the complex post cold-war international
environment, the spread of nuclear technology and fears it could fall
into terrorist hands have become major concerns. Ahead of the
forthcoming Treaty review meeting MEPs are set to question Council and
Commission today (Wednesday 10 March) on measures to improve the
situation.
The next review conference will be held in May in
New York. The European Union is set to participate as observer,
coordinating the positions of its 27 member states.
The meeting will be deemed successful if
the international community agrees on a coordinated reaction to
violations by Iran and North Korea. China is currently against sanctions
for Iran. Observers will also be looking for further disarmament
progress by the US and Russia who hold the largest stockpiles.
The questions in the Chamber on Wednesday morning
will focus on what the Council doing to ensure that the EU has a focused
common position? How is the EU cooperating with third countries and
international organisations? Finally MEPs will consider what are the
priorities and what steps towards further nuclear disarmament will be
taken.
After the questions there will be a debate and later a resolution voted for by MEPs.
189 signatories - although some nuclear powers stay out
Negotiated after the 1962 Cuban missile crisis, the
Treaty aims to limit the spread of nuclear weapons. It has three main
elements: non-proliferation - countries with nuclear weapons will not
transfer them to others and non-nuclear powers will not seek weapons;
disarmament - states are obliged to reduce nuclear stockpiles; and, the
right to use nuclear technology peacefully. As we shall see, the last
aspect has led to considerable controversy.
At present five of seven confirmed nuclear weapons
states have signed the Treaty. India and Pakistan have not. Israel is
also believed to have nuclear weapons, but has not confirmed or denied
this. Only two states, South Africa and Libya, have abandoned their
nuclear programmes.
The EP has already made its position clear calling
for Member States to commit to total disarmament and improvement of
means of verification.
Nuclear technology: but for what purpose?
The European Security strategy of 2003 - approved
by all EU heads of government - called the proliferation of weapons of
mass destruction "potentially the greatest threat to our security... we
are...entering a new and dangerous period that raises the possibility of
a WMD arms race, especially in the Middle East".
The solution has been to try and get all states to
respect the NPT and to strengthen the world's nuclear watchdog the
International Atomic Energy Agency. Europe has also offered the "carrot"
of lucrative trade incentives and diplomatic links in an effort to
persuade countries like Iran to forsake nuclear programmes. Whether this
will prove sufficient inducement, only time will tell.
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