Review Conf. on Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons – Nuclear-weapon-free zones – Working Paper submitted by Iran

---

---

New York, 2-27 May 2005

Working paper submitted by the Islamic Republic of Iran for Main Committee II

…

Nuclear Weapon Free Zones

18. The establishment of nuclear weapons free zones as reaffirmed in SSOD-I constitute an important disarmament measure. The establishment of such zones enhances regional and global peace and security, and strengthens the non-proliferation regime as well. The establishment of NWFZ in Latin America, South Pacific, Africa, South-East Asia and Central Asia are all effective initiatives towards the attainment of a world entirely free from nuclear weapons.

19. The establishment of a nuclear weapon free zone in the Middle East has been the long-standing goal of the people of the region. The establishment of such a zone in the Middle East will strengthen the security and stability in the region.

20. The resolution on the Middle East, as reaffirmed in the Final Document of the 2000 NPT Review Conference, is an essential element of the package of agreements in the 1995 NPT Review and Extension Conference and of the basis on which the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons was indefinitely extended without vote in 1995.

21. The 2000 Review Conference called upon all States in the Middle East that had not yet done so, without exception, to accede to the Treaty as soon as possible and to place their nuclear facilities under full scope IAEA safeguards. The Conference also emphasized the importance of Israel’s accession to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and placement of all its nuclear facilities under comprehensive IAEA safeguards.

22. However, despite repeated calls by the international community, Israel has neither acceded to the Treaty nor has it placed its unwarranted nuclear facilities under full scope safeguards. Israel has not even declared any intention to accede to the Treaty.

23. Moreover the unsafeguarded facilities of Israel constitute a real threat to the security of the Middle East countries. The 2000 Review Conference recalling the obligation of all States Parties under articles I, II and III of the Treaty, called upon all States Parties not to cooperate or give assistance in the nuclear or nuclear-related field to States not party to the Treaty in a manner which assists them in manufacturing nuclear weapons or any other nuclear explosive devices.

24. An agreed plan of action for the universality of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, especially in the Middle East, should be on the agenda of all States Parties to the Treaty, in particular nuclear-weapon States. There should be greater pressure on Israel to accede to the Treaty promptly and without condition, and to place all its nuclear facilities under the IAEA full scope safeguards.

 

—–