NPT Conference Urges Mideast Nuclear-Free Zone.

Tracking Number: 390939

Title:  "NPT Conference Urges Mideast Nuclear-Free Zone." Resolution from the nuclear non-proliferation conference urging the establishment of a nuclear-free zone in the Middle East. (950511)

Translated Title:  Conferencia TNP insta a una zona libre nuclear en el Medio Oriente. (950511)
Date:  19950511

Text:
NPT CONFERENCE URGES MIDEAST NUCLEAR-FREE ZONE (NPT Text: conference resolution on Middle East) (750) United Nations -- Delegates to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) review and extension conference May 11 adopted by consensus a resolution endorsing the Middle East peace process and "a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons" and other weapons of mass destruction.

The resolution, co-sponsored by Russia, Britain and the United States, also welcomes the conference recommendation that states that are not parties to the treaty "accede to it, thereby accepting an international legally binding commitment not to acquire nuclear weapons or nuclear explosive devices and to accept IAEA safeguards on all their nuclear activities."

Following is the text of the resolution: (begin text) Russian Federation, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and United States of America: draft resolution

The Conference, Reaffirming the purpose and provisions of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons,

Recognizing that, pursuant to article VII of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones contributes to strengthening the international non-proliferation regime,

Recalling that, the Security Council in its statement of 31 January 1992, affirmed that the proliferation of nuclear and all other weapons of mass destruction constitutes a threat to international peace and security,

Recalling also General Assembly resolutions adopted by consensus supporting the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East, the latest of which is resolution 49/71 adopted on 15 December 1994,

Further recalling the relevant resolutions adopted by the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency concerning the application of Agency safeguards in the Middle East, the latest of which is GC(XXXVIII)/RES/21 of September 1994, and noting the danger of nuclear proliferation especially in areas of tension,

Bearing in mind Security Council Resolution 687 (1991) and particularly paragraph 14,

Noting Security Council Resolution 984 (1995) and paragraph 8 of the Decision on Principles and Objectives for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament adopted by the 1995 Review and Extension Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons on May 11,

Also bearing in mind the Decisions adopted by the 1995 Review and Extension Conference of the parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons,

1. Endorses the aims and objectives of the Middle East peace process and recognizes that efforts in this regard, as well as other efforts, contribute to, inter alia, a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons as well as other weapons of mass destruction;

2. Notes with satisfaction that the report of Main Committee III (document NPT/CONF.1995/MC.III/1) in the 1995 Review and Extension Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons has recommended that the Conference "calls on those remaining States not parties to the Treaty to accede to it, thereby accepting an international legally binding commitment not to acquire nuclear weapons or nuclear explosive devices and to accept IAEA safeguards on all their nuclear activities";

3. Notes with concern the continued existence in the Middle East of unsafeguarded nuclear facilities, and reaffirms in this connection the recommendation in paragraph VI/3 of the report of Main Committee III urging those non-parties to the Treaty which operate unsafeguarded nuclear facilities to accept fullscope IAEA safeguards;

4. Reaffirms the importance of the early realization of universal adherence to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and calls upon all States of the Middle East that have not yet done so, without exception, to accede to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons as soon as possible and to place their nuclear facilities under fullscope IAEA safeguards;

5. Calls upon all States in the Middle East to take practical steps in appropriate fora aimed at making progress towards, inter alia, the establishment of an effectively verifiable Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction, nuclear, chemical and biological and their delivery systems and to refrain from taking any measures that preclude the achievement of this objective;

6. Calls upon all States party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and in particular the nuclear weapons States to extend their cooperation and to exert their utmost efforts with a view to ensuring the early establishment by regional parties of a Middle East zone free of nuclear and all other weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems.

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