Review Conf. on Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons – Nuclear-weapon-free zone/US actions – Report submitted by the United States

    Actions by the United States of America in support of non-proliferation in the Middle East

    Report submitted by the United States of America

The United States remains committed to the goals described in the 1995 Resolution on the Middle East and submits the following information to the President of the Conference.

U.S. actions to promote the environment necessary to encourage nations to establish an effectively verifiable Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction have focused on three priorities:

 •   Supporting efforts to end violence, promote political negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, and make progress towards the goal of a peaceful Middle East;

 •  Ensuring that states comply with NPT obligations; and 

 •   Encouraging states in the region to adhere to international non-proliferation treaties, regimes and other instruments.

    1.  Supporting Middle East peace

 •   The U.S. continues to engage intensively with both the Israelis and Palestinians in an effort to make progress towards peace and to realize President Bush’s vision of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security.

 •   The U.S. is the highest disbursing bilateral donor in the West Bank and Gaza. The U.S. provides significant assistance to the Palestinians to support political, economic, and security reforms including in the areas of private sector development, water resources, democracy and governance, health, community services, and higher education.

 •   The U.S. is also helping to revitalize the Palestinian economy in the wake of Israel’s withdrawal and helping to build necessary foundations for emerging democracy, such as institution building and civil society; and strengthening infrastructure development.

 •   During the U.S. G-8 presidency, the U.S. led the G-8 in establishing a historic “Partnership for Progress and a Common Future with the Broader Middle East and North Africa” to support efforts to advance freedom, democracy, and prosperity in the region.

 •   The U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative’s programs provide a framework and funding to foster economic development, strengthen civil society and rule of law, promote education, and advance women’s empowerment.

 •   The U.S. is committed to making Iraq a successful model for the region, economically and politically. The U.S. has supported Iraq’s reconstruction and stabilization, and continues to support politically and economically/financially its development into a modern democratic nation.

    2.  Ensuring compliance with NPT obligations

 •   The U.S. supports international efforts to establish an objective guarantee that Iran permanently and verifiably abandons its nuclear weapons ambitions.

 •   In partnership with the UK, and at the invitation of the Libyan government, the U.S. assisted Libya in remediating its past NPT-related violations and supported Libyan efforts to fully cooperate with IAEA inspections to verify that Libya is now meeting its safeguards obligations. U.S./UK support to Libya included removing from Libya, at Libya’s request, equipment and materials it had imported as part of its previously covert programs.

 •   The U.S. and the UK established a joint initiative to engage Libyan nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction scientists in peaceful pursuits.

 •   The U.S. similarly supports the redirection of former Iraqi weapons of mass destruction scientists, technicians, and engineers to civilian employment.

    3.  Strengthening non-proliferation treaties and regimes

 •   As president of the G-8 in 2004, the U.S. undertook a global diplomatic outreach effort, including in the Middle East, to promote adherence to the IAEA comprehensive safeguards agreements and the Additional Protocol.

 •   The U.S. facilitated Iraqi establishment of a program to secure radioactive sources that could threaten health and safety or be used in a dirty bomb. This program will help protect Iraq and neighbouring countries from radioactive materials.

 •   The U.S. is expanding efforts to train and equip export control officials in Middle Eastern governments, including in Oman, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen, in order to improve controls over sensitive materials and equipment. We have initiated export control dialogue with Libyan officials and will conduct joint U.S./UK training sessions that will focus on the drafting of an export control law and improving enforcement capabilities.

 •   The U.S. promotes technical cooperation in the Middle East for the purpose of supporting non-proliferation and regional security. An example of this support is the Cooperative Monitoring Center in Amman, Jordan.

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