Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference closing statement [US] News
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference closing statement [US]

Closing Statement by US Ambassador Jackie W. Sanders, Special Representative of the President for the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons to the 2005 Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, May 27, 2005. Excerpt:

While this Review Conference did not reach consensus, we did break new ground. This Review Conference is the first to examine in detail indicators of noncompliance with Article II. We explored Article IV's linkage of the exercise of the right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy to the obligations contained in Articles I, II, and III of the Treaty. We exchanged views on the steps that States Parties, the IAEA, and the UN Security Council should consider to hold accountable those in noncompliance with their NPT obligations. We also, for the first time, discussed seriously how States Parties, the IAEA, the Nuclear Suppliers Group, and the UNSC should address notifications of withdrawal.

Furthermore, notwithstanding the inability of the relevant Main Committees to report specific recommendations in these areas, there was serious consideration of, and often broad agreement on, steps to strengthen the Treaty's implementation. There was important discussion of the grave challenges to security and to the nonproliferation regime posed by Iran's and the DPRK's noncompliance with their nonproliferation and safeguards obligations. It is unfortunate that efforts to bring this discussion forward to this body were blocked, but the record of our discussions remains. The United States and many other states voiced their support for the efforts by the UK, France and Germany, with the support of the European Union, to reach a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear problem. Given the history of clandestine nuclear weapons work in that country, that must include the permanent cessation of Iran's enrichment-related and reprocessing efforts, as well as its dismantlement of equipment and facilities related to such activity.

Read the full text of the US ambassador's statement. Reported in JURIST's Paper Chase here.

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