Pages 7-14 from FCO 66759 - US Proposal for Common Nuclear Export Policies 1975
Description
The document is marked confidential and provides an update on the progress of a working group. Here are the key points:
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The working group has worked towards agreed ends and has successfully brought France back into cooperation regarding the control of the spread of nuclear material and technology.
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The group has held four meetings in London, and there have been bilateral consultations among group members. Negotiations were prolonged and delicate, but a final agreement was reached on November 5, with concessions made by the US, UK, Canada, and France.
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The UK has taken the lead in diplomatic initiatives providing the chairmanship of the London meetings. The Department of Energy, particularly Dr. Brown from the Safeguards Unit, has provided technical advice and support.
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The guidelines for nuclear transfer, agreed upon on November 5, are awaiting approval by the respective governments. France and the PRG have already secured approval, and the submission process is underway for other UK government ministers.
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Once the guidelines are accepted by the seven governments, the Netherlands, Sweden, Italy, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, and the German Democratic Republic will be invited to associate themselves with the group. Further expansion of membership may be agreed upon later.
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While the UK fully supports the guidelines and works towards their wider adoption, there is still a belief that a more effective long-term solution is needed to secure a system of safeguards under which states voluntarily agree to put all their civil nuclear facilities under safeguards equivalent to those obtained under the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
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The UK encourages the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to move in this direction and plans to sponsor a resolution at the Agency's Board of Governors meeting in February.
Overall, the document highlights the progress made by the working group and the UK's commitment to achieving effective safeguards for civil nuclear facilities. It acknowledges the challenges posed by countries such as India, Pakistan, Brazil, and Argentina in obtaining voluntary agreements but expresses a sustained diplomatic effort in support of a resolution.