The Ploughshares Monitor
Summer 2005, volume 26, no. 2
13 Practical Steps
The following text is excerpted from the 2000 NPT
Review Conference Final Document.
The Conference agrees on the following practical steps
for the systematic and progressive efforts to implement Article
VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and
paragraphs 3 and 4(c) of the1995 Decision on "Principles and
Objectives for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament":
1. The importance and urgency of signatures and ratifications,
without delay and without conditions and in accordance with constitutional
processes, to achieve the early entry into force of the Comprehensive
Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.
2. A moratorium on nuclear-weapon-test explosions
or any other nuclear explosions pending entry into force of that
Treaty.
3. The necessity of negotiations in the Conference
on Disarmament on a non-discriminatory, multilateral and internationally
and effectively verifiable treaty banning the production of fissile
material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices
in accordance with the statement of the Special Coordinator in 1995
and the mandate contained therein, taking into consideration both
nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation objectives. The
Conference on Disarmament is urged to agree on a programme of work
which includes the immediate commencement of negotiations on such
a treaty with a view to their conclusion within five years.
4. The necessity of establishing in the Conference
on Disarmament an appropriate subsidiary body with a mandate to
deal with nuclear disarmament. The Conference on Disarmament is
urged to agree on a programme of work which includes the immediate
establishment of such a body.
5. The principle of irreversibility to apply to nuclear
disarmament, nuclear and other related arms control and reduction
measures.
6. An unequivocal undertaking by the nuclear-weapon
States to accomplish the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals
leading to nuclear disarmament to which all States parties are committed
under Article VI.
7. The early entry into force and full implementation
of START II and the conclusion of START III as soon as possible
while preserving and strengthening the ABM Treaty as a cornerstone
of strategic stability and as a basis for further reductions of
strategic offensive weapons, in accordance with its provisions.
8. The completion and implementation of the Trilateral
Initiative between the United States of America, the Russian Federation
and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
9. Steps by all the nuclear-weapon States leading
to nuclear disarmament in a way that promotes international stability,
and based on the principle of undiminished security for all:
(a) Further efforts by the nuclear-weapon States to reduce their
nuclear arsenals unilaterally.
(b) Increased transparency by the nuclear-weapon States
with regard to the nuclear weapons capabilities and the implementation
of agreements pursuant to Article VI and as a voluntary confidence-building
measure to support further progress on nuclear disarmament.
(c) The further reduction of non-strategic nuclear
weapons, based on unilateral initiatives and as an integral part
of the nuclear arms reduction and disarmament process.
(d) Concrete agreed measures to further reduce the
operational status of nuclear weapons systems.
(e) A diminishing role for nuclear weapons in security
policies to minimize the risk that these weapons ever be used and
to facilitate the process of their total elimination.
(f) The engagement as soon as appropriate of all the
nuclear-weapon States in the process leading to the total elimination
of their nuclear weapons.
10. Arrangements by all nuclear-weapon States to place,
as soon as practicable, fissile material designated by each of them
as no longer required for military purposes under IAEA or other
relevant international verification and arrangements for the disposition
of such material for peaceful purposes, to ensure that such material
remains permanently outside of military programmes.
11. Reaffirmation that the ultimate objective of the
efforts of States in the disarmament process is general and complete
disarmament under effective international control.
12. Regular reports, within the framework of the NPT
strengthened review process, by all States parties on the implementation
of Article VI and paragraph 4 (c) of the 1995 Decision on "Principles
and Objectives for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament,"
and recalling the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of
Justice of 8 July 1996.
13. The further development of the verification capabilities
that will be required to provide assurance of compliance with nuclear
disarmament agreements for the achievement and maintenance of a
nuclear-weapon-free world.
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