Nuclear Conference Opens, Hears UN Watchdog Call For Balance Between Security And Development
The world’s nations gathered today in New York to begin their review of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and
heard the head of the United Nations atomic watchdog agency renew his call for a moratorium on new fuel-cycle facilities
while international controls are negotiated.
The “choke point” to preventing nuclear weapons development is ensuring effective control over activities involving
uranium enrichment and plutonium separation, Mohamed ElBaradei, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA), told the opening session of the 2005 Review Conference of the States parties to the NPT.
“Without question, improving control of facilities capable of producing weapons-usable material will go a long way
towards establishing a better margin of security.”
Stressing the importance of balancing both development and security interests, Mr. ElBaradei said: “We should be clear:
there is no incompatibility between tightening controls over the nuclear fuel cycle and expanding the use of peaceful
nuclear technology. In fact, by reducing the risks of proliferation, we could pave the way for more widespread use of
peaceful nuclear applications.”
The month-long Review Conference brings delegations together every five years to consider the workings of the landmark
agreement, which seeks to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons technology, foster the peaceful use of nuclear energy
and further the goal of general and complete disarmament.
Mr. ElBaradei said the core of the accord can be summed up in two words: security and development. And while the
custodians of the NPT may hold differing priorities and views, “I trust that all share these two goals: development for
all through advanced technology; and security for all by reducing – and ultimately eliminating – the nuclear threat,” he
said. “If we cannot work together, each acknowledging the development priorities and security concerns of the other,
then the result of this Conference will be inaction.”
While acknowledging that the NPT had served the global community well for 35 years, Mr. ElBaradei said that it must be
regarded as a “living, dynamic regime,” capable of evolving and changing to match realities. If not, it risked fading
into irrelevance, leaving all nations vulnerable and unprotected.
“While our twin goals – security and development – remain the same, our mechanisms for achieving those goals must
evolve,” he said, urging to Conference to remain committed to ridding the world of nuclear weapons, have zero tolerance
for new States developing nuclear weapons, and, among other things, ensure that all countries have the right to use
nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
He also urged the meeting to strengthen the IAEA’s verification authority, noting that in recent years, the additional
protocol to comprehensive safeguards agreements has proven its worth. “With better access to information and locations,
we get better results,” he said.
“The whole purpose of verification is to build confidence. In cases where proliferation concerns exist, I will continue
to urge States to be open and transparent. Even if such measures go beyond a State’s legal obligations, they pay
valuable dividends in restoring the confidence of the international community,” he said.