CNS Occasional Papers: #3

Nonproliferation Regimes At Risk

APPENDIX

Treaties

Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)

  • Includes provisions to:
    • Prevent the spread of nuclear weapons: Articles I and II prohibit nuclear weapon states from transferring or assisting any recipient in the development of nuclear weapons, and prohibit non-nuclear weapon states from acquiring or developing nuclear weapons;
    • Establish safeguards: Article III requires application of international safeguards to ensure that peaceful nuclear activities in non-nuclear weapon states are not diverted to making nuclear weapons;
    • Promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy: Article IV recognizes rights to access civilian nuclear technologies under safeguards; and
    • Promote disarmament: Article VI calls for efforts to achieve comprehensive arms control and nuclear disarmament
  • Opened for signature on July 1, 1968 in London, Moscow, and Washington
  • Entered into force in 1970 with an initial duration of 25 years
  • In 1995, the NPT was extended indefinitely, with a review conference to be held every five years
  • Signed by 187 countries; only Cuba, India, Israel, and Pakistan are non-parties

Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC)

  • Prohibits the development, production, acquisition, and stockpiling of bacteriological agents and toxins of types and in quantities that have no justification for prophylactic, protective, or other peaceful purposes
  • Countries must destroy or divert to peaceful purposes all agents, toxins, weapons, equipment, and means of delivery within nine months after entry into force of the convention
  • Signed on April 10, 1972
  • Entered into force on March 26, 1975
  • Of unlimited duration
  • As of June 1999, 162 states have signed the BWC, and 140 have ratified the accord

Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)

  • Prohibits the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, transfer, and use of chemical weapons
  • Each state is required to destroy, within ten years of entry into force, all chemical weapons and chemical weapons production facilities it possesses or that are located in any place under its jurisdiction or control, as well as any chemical weapons it abandoned on the territory of another state
  • Opened for signature on January 13, 1993
  • Entered into force on April 29, 1997
  • Of unlimited duration
  • As of June 1999, 169 countries have signed the CWC, and 126 have ratified the accord; important non-parties include Egypt, Israel, Libya, North Korea, Syria, and Yugoslavia

Export Controls

Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)

  • Seeks to control transfers that could contribute to the spread of ballistic and cruise missiles capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction
  • Consists of an export control policy and the institutional measures to implement it
  • Divides technologies into two categories:
    • Category I: complete rocket and unmanned air vehicle systems capable of carrying a payload of 500 kg or more at least 300 km
    • Category II: lower-risk, often dual-use, hardware and technologies, such as gyroscopes
  • Informal, non-treaty association, established April 16, 1987 by the G-7 countries
  • As of July 1999, there are 32 member states in the MTCR, and additional states have pledged to abide by its guidelines


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