|
The 1995 NPT Review and Extension
Conference
"History is full of periods
when empires collapse and there are brief periods of stability before new competitions
arise. By a combination of luck and good management, we got through the cold war without
blowing ourselves up. We're now at a moment when we can get nuclear weapons under control
and on the way out -- or we can fumble it, and watch the sort of events that occurred in
Yugoslavia happen on a grand scale between nation-states over a longer time frame. I don't
think most people realize what an historic moment this is."
Daniel Plesch, BASIC's Director, quoted in
"Discord Over Renewing Pact on Spread of Nuclear Arms", The New York Times,
17 April 1995 (the opening day of the Conference).
Contents
At the April-May 1995 NPT Review and Extension Conference,
NPT members achieved three interrelated and substantial accomplishments. First, the Treaty
was extended indefinitely, ensuring that its commitments to nuclear disarmament and
non-proliferation are permanent obligations. Second, an enhanced review mechanism was
created. Third, the parties agreed to a set of principles and objectives for nuclear
non-proliferation and disarmament. The Parties are now committed to produce an ongoing
program of action consisting of systematic efforts leading to nuclear disarmament.
BASIC, on its own and as part of the Acronym Consortium,
provided analysis, recommendations, and reporting before, during and after the Conference,
at peaks period on a day-by-day basis.
The Acronym Consortium, comprised of BASIC, the Verification Technology Information Center, Dfax,
and the International Security Information Service produced detailed reports during the
run-up to the Conference (as well as on the negotiations on the Comprehensive Test Ban
Treaty and developments at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva).
The Acronym Booklets, widely known as the "red
books" for their distinctive covers, provide a wealth of information on the NPT
Conference, including the Preparatory Committee meetings in 1994 that led up to the
Conference.
The summaries of the booklets are available here. For complete copies, please order them from our
order page. The cost is $10/£7 per copy plus shipping.
During the NPT Conference, the Acronym Consortium, together
with Disarmament Times, produced daily updates that provide the best record of events as
they transpired. These NPT Updates, produced at the Conference
and distributed to delegates, the media, and non-governmental observers, provide a unique
account of the Conference unavailable from any other source.
BASIC also produced a number of documents and press
releases before and during the NPT Conference. They included:
BASIC Papers, BASIC Reports, BASIC Notes, and
other publications
- A Nuclear Weapons Convention
An analysis of the challenges facing a treaty that would eliminate all nuclear weapons.
The paper concludes that a Convention is possible and would enhance international
security. BASIC Paper #9, 16 March 1995
- Britain's Nuclear Status Upheld
by NPT: A Report on Douglas Hurd's Evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee
A report on statements by the British Foreign Secretary that the U.K.'s nuclear status is
"enshrined" in the NPT. BASIC Note, March 1995
- U.S. Policy Leading into the
NPT Conference An analysis of US policy steps taken before the Conference, as
well as a report on the inter-agency disagreements that were taking place.
BASIC
Paper #10, 23 March 1995
- Government Proposals on
Non-Proliferation This paper, prepared during the Conference, contains a list
of new or unique proposals made in official government speeches, and serves as a useful
source of ideas for further progress on disarmament. 25 April 1995
- Ambassador Graham on US Policy
and the Non-Proliferation Treaty BASIC Reports #44, 14 April
1995
- Western States Weigh
Indefinite Extension and a Consensus Decision BASIC Reports #44, 14
April 1995
- A Permanent Non-Proliferation
Treaty BASIC Reports #45, 1 June 1995
Officials documents from the 1995 NPT Review and Extension Conference
are available from the United Nations website.
Back to NPT home page
|