SWEDEN
Cluster 1
NPT PrepCom
30 April, 1998

Many of the most important decisions at the 1995 NPT Extension and Review Conference are contained in the document "Principles and objectives", which was adopted unanimously by the Conference. In this document, all States Parties agreed to the importance of the determined pursuit by the nuclear-weapon States of systematic and progressive efforts to reduce nuclear weapons globally, with the ultimate goal of eliminating those weapons. The nuclear-weapon States also reaffirmed their commitment, as stated in Article VI, to pursue in good faith negotiations on effective measures relating to nuclear disarmament.

I also wish to draw the Committee’s attention to the advisory opinion in July 1996 by the International Court of Justice. The Court stated, inter alia, that "there exists an obligation to pursue in good faith and bring to a conclusion negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament in all its aspects under strict and effective international control." This unanimous conclusion by the Court constitutes a strong and clear message.

Since we are now preparing for the next Review Conference, it is only logical to compare factual developments during these three years with what we all unanimously agreed in 1995 to establish as our objectives and principles.

Sweden has repeatedly stressed that the concept of the systematic and progressive efforts by the nuclear-weapon States must be given a concrete content. The steps must be identified and fully translated into concrete action. It is indeed important that these commitments be fully observed in nuclear doctrines and translated into deeds, if confidence in the NPT process is to be maintained.

As a first step, the five nuclear-weapon States should commit themselves unequivocally to the elimination of nuclear weapons and agree to start work immediately on the practical steps and negotiations required for its achievement.

Other concrete steps, which could - and indeed, should - be taken without delay by the nuclear-weapon States have been identified in the report by the Canberra Commission in 199G. One such measure is to take nuclear forces off alert. Such a step would greatly reduce the risk of an accidental or unauthorized nuclear weapons launch. It would also constitute an important confidence-building measure. Furthermore, it would facilitate the implementation of another of the Commission’s proposals, namely to remove nuclear warheads from their delivery vehicles. Sweden has welcomed the report of the Canberra Commission. The Commission’s proposals deserve much more attention by the international community and should be considered in depth, with a view to their early implementation, in multilateral disarmament fora.

Mr. Chairman,

Sweden has welcomed the outcome in the field of nuclear disarmament of the 1997 Helsinki summit between Presidents Clinton and Yeltsin. Their commitment to the implementation of the START II Treaty and to the immediate commencement of negotiations on a START III Agreement, following the entry into force of START II, constitutes an important step forward in the process towards the further reduction of nuclear arsenals. Sweden urges the Russian Federation to ratify START II without delay. As those nuclear-weapon States with the largest arsenals continue the reduction process, they must be joined by those with lesser arsenals at the appropriate juncture. The five nuclear-weapon States should begin to consider steps to be taken to this effect.

Mr. Chairman,

The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty constitutes a landmark event in the field of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. It is imperative to make every effort to ensure its early entry into force. Sweden welcomes the recent ratification by France and the United Kingdom and urges all States - in particular the remaining nuclear-weapon States and those other States whose ratifications are necessary for the entry-into-force, to sign and ratify the CTBT without delay

In this context, Sweden also urges the nuclear-weapon States to exercise utmost restraint regarding any activity that could undermine the fundamental objectives of CTBT, including so-called sub-critical experiments.

The States Parties to the NPT have reason to be satisfied and encouraged that the goal of the CTBT, defined in the 1995 Principles and Objectives could be achieved. All NPT States Parties should take courage from this fact and redouble their efforts towards a speedy realization of the next goal identified in the Principles and Objectives, a Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty.

Such a treaty would, once and for all, put a cap on the fissile material available for weapons purposes. It would create further favourable conditions for the reduction of nuclear arsenals. An FMCT is, thus, of great significance, both for continued nuclear disarmament and for nuclear non-proliferation This session of the PrepCom should strongly renew the call of the 1995 "Principles and Objectives" for the immediate start and early conclusion of these negotiations. Sweden urges all States Parties to join efforts to get negotiations started in the Conference on Disarmament during this year’s session.

Mr. Chairman,

At the first Session of the PrepCom in 1997, it was proposed that the PrepCom should decide to take up the work on security assurances, envisaged in the "Principles and Objectives", with a view to completing this work before the year 2000 so as to make a recommendation to the Review Conference. The arguments for this proposal are convincing and compelling. Legally binding security assurances within the NPT umbrella would, indeed, strengthen the nuclear non-proliferation regime. Sweden, for its part, stands ready to begin work on this. Pending the achievement of an international legally binding agreement on negative security assurances, it is imperative that the nuclear-weapon States scrupulously observe their unilateral commitments in this field.

Mr. Chairman,

Sweden welcomes the recent significant progress in strengthening and establishing the nuclear-weapon-free zones in Latin America, the Pacific Region, Africa and South East Asia. The names of Tlatelolco, Rarotonga, Pelindaba and Bangkok represent important mile stones in nuclear disarmament efforts. We also welcome and support the initiative aimed at establish a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia. The establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones, on the basis of arrangements freely arrived at among the States of the region concerned, effectively enhances global and regional peace and security.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.