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    Brazil Speech To 2010 Review Conference of The Parties To The Treaty On The Non-Proliferation Nuclear Weapons

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    This document is a speech given at the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The speaker expresses that the NPT creates an unfair divide between nuclear weapon states and non-nuclear weapon states. They argue that total elimination of nuclear weapons is the best path towards non-proliferation. While some progress has been made, such as arms reduction treaties between the US and Russia, more comprehensive and verifiable steps are still needed to achieve the goal of a world without nuclear weapons within a clear timeframe. Unilateral measures are not enough and all countries must work together in good faith under the NPT.

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    Brazil Speech To 2010 Review Conference of The Parties To The Treaty On The Non-Proliferation Nuclear Weapons

    Uploaded by

    The Guardian
    1K views8 pages
    This document is a speech given at the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The speaker expresses that the NPT creates an unfair divide between nuclear weapon states and non-nuclear weapon states. They argue that total elimination of nuclear weapons is the best path towards non-proliferation. While some progress has been made, such as arms reduction treaties between the US and Russia, more comprehensive and verifiable steps are still needed to achieve the goal of a world without nuclear weapons within a clear timeframe. Unilateral measures are not enough and all countries must work together in good faith under the NPT.

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    Brazil speech to 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation Nuclear Weapons

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    This document is a speech given at the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The speaker expresses that the NPT creates an unfair divide between nuclear weapon states and non-nuclear weapon states. They argue that total elimination of nuclear weapons is the best path towards non-proliferation. While some progress has been made, such as arms reduction treaties between the US and Russia, more comprehensive and verifiable steps are still needed to achieve the goal of a world without nuclear weapons within a clear timeframe. Unilateral measures are not enough and all countries must work together in good faith under the NPT.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf
    1K views8 pages

    Brazil Speech To 2010 Review Conference of The Parties To The Treaty On The Non-Proliferation Nuclear Weapons

    Uploaded by

    The Guardian
    This document is a speech given at the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The speaker expresses that the NPT creates an unfair divide between nuclear weapon states and non-nuclear weapon states. They argue that total elimination of nuclear weapons is the best path towards non-proliferation. While some progress has been made, such as arms reduction treaties between the US and Russia, more comprehensive and verifiable steps are still needed to achieve the goal of a world without nuclear weapons within a clear timeframe. Unilateral measures are not enough and all countries must work together in good faith under the NPT.

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    2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the

    Non-Proliferation Nuclear Weapons.

    Ambassador Cabactulan, President of the Review Conference,

    Ambassador Sergio Duarte, Undersecretary·-GeneraI for Disannament


    Affairs

    Ladies and Gentlemen,

    Mr. President,

    I wish to congratulate you for the chairmanship of this Conference.

    You can count on my delegation's best cooperation.

    The Non-Proliferation Treaty is an intrinsically unfair Treaty, which

    divides the world between "haves" and "have-nots".

    It is an expression of the imbalances of the international system. It is a

    product of an era in which military might, especially nuclear weapons, were

    the main, if not the sole source, of prestige and political power.

    The very unfortunate identification of the pennanent member of the

    Security Council with the five nuclear weapon States recognized by the

    Treaty reinforces the perception that nuclear anns are a means to political

    prommence.
    Unfair as it is, the NPT contains in Article VI the seed of its own self-

    correction. Failure to implement Article VI, however, perpetuates a

    destructive imbaJance.

    Forty years after the entry into force of the NPT, the fundamental goal

    of a world free of nuclear weapons remains little more than a mirage.

    Brazil is convinced that the best guarantee for non-proliferation is the

    total elimination of nuclear weapons.

    As long as some states possess nuclear arms, other states will be

    tempted to acquire or develop them.

    We may deplore this perverse logic, but we cannot deny it.

    Mr. President,

    A decade ago, Brazil participated for the flrst time in a Review

    Conference.

    Then as today, the Brazilian delegation had in mind that, in ratifying

    the Treaty, the Brazilian National Congress established the Government s

    obligation to seek real progress in nuclear disarmament.

    In the year 2000, negotiations with the nuclear weapon States, largely

    led by the New Agenda Coalition, resulted in a forward-looking and realistic

    programme of action, which came to be known as "the thirteen steps to

    disarmament" .

    2
    The Conference agreed, among other measures, on an unequivocal

    undertaking by the nuclear-weapon States to the total elimination of their

    nuclear arsenals.

    It is sad to note that this and many other pledges remain unfulfilled.

    Even as we continue to strive for the implementation of those steps,

    we must build upon the objectives of 2000 and move further.

    This IS precisely what the New Agenda Coal1tion envisaged 10

    presenting a working paper with 22 recommendations on nuclear

    disannament.

    A clear commitment of no-first use by the possessor States would

    certainly add credibility to the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

    So would legally binding security assurances to non-nuclear-weapon

    States.

    Nuclear weapon States should also renounce the upgrading or

    development of new atomic devices.

    Mr. President,

    Last year, the United States and Russia committed themselves to a

    nuclear free world.

    President Obama provided, in his Prague speech, fresh motivation for

    those who pursue the total elimination of nuclear arsenals .

    3
    The new START agreement added a necessary step in that direction,

    however limited.

    Brazil welcomes conceptual advances in the US Nuclear Posture

    Review, mainly in relation to negative security assurances and in regard to

    the commitment by the US Government to seek ratification of the CTBT.

    Just three weeks ago, in Washington, leaders from more than forty

    countries confirmed their willingness to engage in issues related to nuclear

    security.

    The Conference was also reminded, by more than one speaker,

    including President Lula, that the most effective way to reduce the risks of

    misuse of nuclear materials by nOD-state actors is the total and irreversible

    elimination of all nuclear arsenals.

    Mr. President,

    Important as they may be, unilateral, episodic measures will not lead

    us to zero nuclear weapons.

    Nuclear disarmament requires comprehensive and verifiable steps, as

    well as a precise and realistic timetable.

    Argwnents used to justify the possession of nuclear arms during the

    Cold War, if ever valid, can no longer be sustained.

    4
    Everyone agrees that the days of mutually assured destruction (MAD)

    are long gone. Paradoxically, the mindset of that era seems to linger on.

    Nuclear weapons are of no use to address the security threats of

    present day world.

    They serve no purpose in combating transnational crime, preventing

    ethnic and religious conflicts, and curbing cyberwar or terrorism.

    If anything, nuclear weapons diminish the security of all States

    including of those who possess them.

    A world in which the existence of nuclear weapons continues to be

    accepted is intrinsically insecure.

    The risks of relying in command and control are well known to all

    those who have studied the Cold War.

    They have been pointed out by experts, including persons who

    occupied high places in the hierarchy of nuclear commands.

    Efforts to avoid nuclear proliferation should be conducted In all

    senousness.

    But containing the dissemination of human knowledge is an elusive, if

    not impossible, task.

    It is the belief that nuclear weapons will be eliminated in a foreseeable

    future that offers us the ultimate guarantee against nuclear proliferation.

    ( .. .)

    5
    No country should be denied the right to peaceful nuclear activities as

    long as it complies with NPT and agreed IAEA requirements.

    Legitimate concerns with non-proliferation must not hinder the

    exercise of the right to peaceful nuclear activities.

    This does not diminish the importance of preventing violations and

    asserting that all NPT members fulfill their obligations.

    Doubts about the implementation of the Treaty must, to the maximum

    extent possible, be dealt with through dialogue and negotiation.

    We must not forget that the NPT is part of the overall goal of the

    international community to promote peace, in line with the principles and

    purposes of the UN Charter.

    Mr. President,

    Ten years prior to acceding to the NPT, Brazil enshrined in its

    constitution the prohibition of nuclear activities for non-peaceful purposes.

    Even before, Brazil and Argentina had engaged in an unprecedented

    confidence-building process, by implementing a comprehensive control

    and accounting system of nuclear materials.

    It is our conviction that the Brazilian-Argentinian model of

    cooperation should be a source of inspiration for other countries and

    regIOns .

    6
    Brazil. is also proud to be a Party to the Tlatelolco Treaty, which

    established the first nuclear-weapon-free zone in an inhabited part of the

    planet.

    We are convinced that the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free

    zones, especially in regions with tensions, can contribute to peace and

    security.

    Mr. President,

    Any commitments additional to those prescribed in the NPT must be

    considered in the light of the Treaty's overall implementation, particularly

    with regard to nuclear disarmament.

    We are fully aware that di arming is a complex, expensive and long

    process.

    But it is as much a political decision as the decision not to proliferate.

    The world will only be a safe place when all countries feel that they

    are being treated with fairness and respect.

    When their voices are heard and when the root causes of conflict, such

    as poverty and discrimination, are overcome.

    The presence of nuclear weapons only aggravates those problems.

    Nuclear weapons breed instability and insecurity.

    They deepen the sense of injustice.

    7
    Let us not wait another five years to translate our shared goal of a

    nuclear-weapon-free world into concrete political action.

    Thank you.

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