Security Council Renews Committee Helping Keep WMDs from Terrorists
New York, Apr 27 2006 6:00PM
Calling for intensified efforts to boost States' cooperation with measures to keep nuclear, chemical and biological
weapons out of the hands of terrorists and black marketeers, the United Nations Security Council today extended the
mandate of the committee overseeing the issue for a period of two years.
Through a unanimous resolution, the mandate of the so-called "1540" Committee - named after its 2004 Council resolution
- which was due to expire tomorrow, was extended until 27 April 2008.
Resolution 1540 directs governments to establish effective accounting for and domestic controls of material that could
be used to make nuclear, chemical or biological weapons. It also requires them to establish and maintain effective
border and trans-shipment controls and appropriate law enforcement.
The Security Council established the 1540 Committee to monitor the implementation of the binding resolution, enacted
under the UN Charter's Chapter VII, which allows for enforcement measures. All States are required to present reports on
their efforts to execute its provisions.
In February, the Chairman of the Committee told Council that some 70 States were delinquent in such reporting.
Today's resolution charges the Committee to intensify its efforts to increase States' compliance through a new work
programme that includes outreach, dialogue and technical assistance.
In his recent appearance before the Council, Committee Chairman Peter Burian urged total compliance with resolution
1540, warning that "all States were vulnerable to being used by non-State actors who might want to gain access to
weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery."
2006-04-27 00:00:00.000
ENDS