G8 Support for WMD Nonproliferation Regime

G-8 Nations Declare Support for WMD Nonproliferation Regime

(North Korea, Iran specifically identified as problem countries)

The Group of Eight industrialized nations (Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States plus Russia) recognizes the "growing danger" from the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), according to a statement issued June 2 at the organization's annual meeting in Evian, France.

The G-8 declaration reaffirmed the commitment of participating governments to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, calling them "essential instruments to maintain international peace and security and cornerstones of non-proliferation and disarmament."

The declaration said North Korea's uranium enrichment and plutonium production programs "and its failure to comply with its IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] safeguards agreement undermine the non-proliferation regime and are a clear breach of North Korea's international obligations."

In the statement the leaders "strongly urge North Korea to visibly, verifiably and irreversibly dismantle any nuclear weapons programs, a fundamental step to facilitate a comprehensive and peaceful solution."

The leaders also said they "will not ignore the proliferation implications of Iran's advanced nuclear program." They called for full Iranian compliance with its obligation under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and offered their "strongest support to comprehensive IAEA examination of this country's nuclear program."

The full text of the declaration follows:

(begin text)

Non Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction -- a G8 Declaration

1. We recognise that the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their means of delivery poses a growing danger to us all. Together with the spread of international terrorism, it is the pre-eminent threat to international security.

2. This global challenge requires a multifaceted solution. We need to tackle it individually and collectively -- working together and with other partners, including through relevant international institutions, in particular those of the United Nations system.

3. We have a range of tools available to tackle this threat: international treaty regimes; inspection mechanisms such as those of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons; initiatives to eliminate WMD stocks such as the G8 Global Partnership; national and internationally coordinated export controls; international cooperation and diplomatic efforts; and if necessary other measures in accordance with international law.

4. While all of these instruments are necessary, none is sufficient by itself. Not all proliferation challenges require the same remedies. We need to deploy the tools which are most effective in each case. We remain committed to work with and strengthen all these instruments and, where appropriate, to pursue the universalisation of relevant treaties and instruments.

5. Last year, at Kananaskis, [Canada,] we endorsed a set of Principles to prevent the spread of WMD and materials of mass destruction to terrorists and those that harbour them. Since then, events in the world have underscored the relevance of those Principles and the urgency of implementing them.

6. We reaffirm our commitment to the Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the Chemical Weapons Convention, and the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, and we urge all states which have not yet joined them to do so. We consider these three treaties to be essential instruments to maintain international peace and security and cornerstones of non-proliferation and disarmament.

We reaffirm our support for the IAEA, which should be granted the necessary means to implement its monitoring tasks.

7. North Korea's uranium enrichment and plutonium production programs and its failure to comply with its IAEA safeguards agreement undermine the non-proliferation regime and are a clear breach of North Korea's international obligations. We strongly urge North Korea to visibly, verifiably and irreversibly dismantle any nuclear weapons programs, a fundamental step to facilitate a comprehensive and peaceful solution.

8. We will not ignore the proliferation implications of Iran's advanced nuclear program. We stress the importance of Iran's full compliance with its obligation under the NPT. We urge Iran to sign and implement an IAEA Additional Protocol without delay or conditions. We offer our strongest support to comprehensive IAEA examination of this country's nuclear program.

9.We call on all States to establish effective procedures and machinery to control the transfer of materials, technology and expertise which may contribute to the development, production or use of WMD and their means of delivery. We likewise call on all States to establish and implement effective national standards for secure storage and handling of such materials with a view to effectively prevent proliferation and eliminate the risk that terrorists gain access to them. We agree, individually and collectively, to give support to this end where it is most needed.

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