Written Answers. - Nuclear Disarmament Initiative.
Denis Naughten
Question:
97
Mr. Naughten
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
his views on progress made to date in the implementation of the 13 steps on nuclear disarmament to which all state parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons are bound, as agreed at the 2000 NPT review conference.
[26802/03]
Ireland, as a member of the new agenda coalition was actively involved in the negotiations on the final document of the 2000 review conference of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, which was agreed by consensus. The 2000 final document represents a positive step on the road to nuclear disarmament. Of particular significance is the unequivocal undertaking by the nuclear weapons states to accomplish the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals and the agreement on practical steps, to be taken by them, that would lead to nuclear disarmament.
Since that time, Ireland and our partners in the new agenda coalition have advocated the implementation of these steps by all parties to the NPT, particularly the five nuclear weapons states. In the new agenda coalition ministerial declaration in September this year, my colleagues and I expressed our deep concern at the lack of progress to date in the implementation of the 13 steps agreed to in 2000.
The failure to achieve the entry into force of the comprehensive test ban treaty and the continuing deadlock in the conference on disarmament are just two examples of this lack of progress with regard to implementation of the 2000 agreement. New concerns have also arisen, such as the decision of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to announce its withdrawal from the NPT and questions relating to the Iranian nuclear programme.
There have, however, also been some positive developments since 2000, such as the accession of Cuba both to the NPT, which brought the treaty closer to universalisation, and to the Tlatelolco Treaty, which completed the nuclear weaponsfree zone in Latin America and the Caribbean. The 2002 strategic offensive reductions, or Moscow treaty represents a positive step in defining the new relationship between the US and the Russian Federation and provides for reductions in the numbers of deployed nuclear weapons. We have however called for the parties to this treaty to make it verifiable, irreversible and transparent.
In spite of the evident challenges, Ireland and the new agenda coalition remain determined to pursue with continued vigour the full and effective implementation of the substantial agreement reached at the 2000 NPT review conference. It is with this in mind that we have approached the current review cycle leading up to the 2005 conference. The new agenda coalition has produced position papers for the first two preparatory committees and will continue to be active in the 2004 meeting and the review conference itself. Within the United Nations framework the new agenda coalition has brought forward two resolutions annually in the General Assembly since 2002 which have met with broad support. This year's resolutions were passed by a large majority in the first committee earlier this month.
Work on disarmament and non-proliferation issues is also ongoing in the EU context with efforts to universalise multilateral treaties and agreements, such as the NPT, and to mainstream political dialogue on such issues within the Common Foreign and Security Policy.
Ireland continues to believe that the only guarantee against the use or threat of use of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, is their elimination and the assurance that they will never be used or produced again. We remain committed to disarmament and non-proliferation and to the full implementation of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and the 2000 final document.
Question No. 98 answered with Question No. 53.
Question No. 99 answered with Question No. 24.
Question No. 100 answered with Question No. 11.
