This research reviews major nuclear treaties in effect or negotiated and awaiting ratification in early-1996 with respect to treaty purposes, goals, and signatory nations. Conclusions are drawn in relation to the legality under these treaties of either the hostile use of nuclear weapons or the testing of such weapons.
The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) became effective in March 1970 for a 25-year period following ratification by 178 nations. The NPT was re-negotiated and renewed at a conference attended by 175 nations of the original 178 nations in 1995. The NPT was extended indefinitely on 11 May 1995.
In the extension of the NPT, no state got all it wanted, although the nuclear weapon states had more reason to be gratified than the non nuclear weapon states. The United States, Russia, Britain, and France wanted the treaty extended indefinitely and unconditionally. Only the first part of their wish was fully granted. A core group of 14 non-aligned states, led by Indonesia, wanted the treaty extended for a series of rolling fixed periods of 25 years, subject to reaching certain goals during each time period. Their demands included a comprehensive test ban treaty (CTB), legally binding assurances to non-nuclear states against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons, a cut-off of the production of and the elimination of stockpiles of weapon and usable fissile material, the elimination of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, the establishment of additional nuclear-weapon-free zones, the non-discriminatory transfer of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, and the achievement of universality·bringing Israel, India, and Pakistan·all undeclared nuclear powers·into the fold. Mexico, in return for accepting an indefinite extension, asked for a program of action similar to that of the non-aligned states-but more specific: a CTB must be achieved by 1996; the nuclear powers must end the productio...