Nuclear Treaties

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

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implementation" of the treaty. Because the number of co-sponsors exceeded the 90 parties required for a majority decision to extend the NPT, this action effectively settled the question. If a vote were taken, indefinite extension would have more than enough votes. It had become clear, however, that a consensus on indefinite extension was not likely, unless there were binding commitments by the nuclear powers to comply fully with their obligations under the treaty, and unless some system was devised that would lead to greater accountability. Although the nuclear powers were prepared to proceed to a vote, some of their allies feared that a vote could leave a significant dissatisfied minority that might weaken rather than strengthen the treaty. In an effort to sidestep a vote, the conference authorized a continuation to seek a consensus. A compromise package of three linked proposals based on Canada's extension proposal as well as on specific ideas put forward by the core group of 14 Arab nations, as well as by Mexico, Indonesia, and South Africa was developed. The package eventually consisted of three documents or decisions, which appeared to be generally acceptable and which could command a near consensus. These decision
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Approximate Word count = 1577
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)

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