US President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol have reaffirmed their commitment to the combined defense posture under the US-ROK Mutual Defense Treaty, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the US-ROK Alliance. The two leaders announced the establishment of a new Nuclear Consultative Group to strengthen extended deterrence and manage the threat posed by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
The text is a speech given by Russian President Vladimir Putin on 21 Feb 2022. The speech addresses Russia's military actions in Ukraine and seeks to justify Russia's involvement in the conflict. Putin argues that Russia is acting in self-defense, and that the people's republics of Donbass have asked for Russia's help. He cites the need to protect people facing "humiliation and genocide" at the hands of the Kiev regime, and seeks to demilitarize and denazify Ukraine.
The agreement that was reached in Vienna on July 14th, 2015, between Iran and several countries, including China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, regarding Iran's nuclear program, was welcomed as a historic moment. The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign and Security Policy played a crucial role in facilitating these negotiations, with the support of the Austrian government.
Resolution 1540 (2004) was adopted by the United Nations Security Council to address the threat of proliferation of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, and their means of delivery.
On 10th November 2003, CIA and MI6 representatives met with the Director of the Special Branch in Malaysia to discuss an ongoing investigation related to the international network suspected of transferring nuclear technology to third countries, notably Libya. The focal points of the investigation were the involvement of a Pakistani nuclear scientist and BSA Tahir, a Sri Lankan businessman based in Dubai. It was alleged that Tahir used his company, SCOPE, to produce components for Libya's uranium enrichment programme.
In December 1994, the United Nations General Assembly requested the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to provide an advisory opinion on the legality of the threat or use of nuclear weapons under international law. The Court received written statements from 28 states and oral statements from 22 states during the proceedings.
Good afternoon. I am pleased that the United States and North Korea yesterday reached agreement on the text of a framework document on North Korea's nuclear program. This agreement will help to achieve a longstanding and vital American objective, an end to the threat of nuclear proliferation on the Korean Peninsula. This agreement is good for the United States, good for our allies, and good for the safety of the entire world. It reduces the danger of the threat of nuclear spreading in the region. It's a crucial step toward drawing North Korea into the global community.
On this date, France finally signed the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. This was a major development as prior to this France had refused to become a party to the NPT based both from a principle of equity and because of its desire to maintain an independent foreign policy. This is despite France stating that:
France for its part (…) will behave in the future in this field exactly as the States complying with the Treaty. There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind on that score.
The Missile Technology Control Regime was formed by a group of 7 likeminded countries (France, UK, Germany, Italy, Canada, Japan and the US) before quickly expanding in the context of the end of the Cold War. By 1993, Israel, China, Russia, Hungary, and Romania had committed to adhere to the regime's guidelines (see here)
A significant summit between Reagan at Gorbachev at which discussions on arms control and disarmament took place. This included discussion of substantial eliminations of ballistic missiles - something that US allies had not been briefed on before the summit.
This is a collection of confidential memos and letters related to the US's stance on international plutonium storage (IPS) in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The documents discuss a news article in the Washington Post by Milton Benjamin that alleged the US had decided to strongly support the establishment of IPS. However, the documents show that the US had not made a final decision on the matter and that Benjamin's article misinterpreted statements made by Ambassador Gerry Smith.
Niger said in 1979 that all exports of uranium would require safeguards and would be declared to the IAEA.
This document contains a US assessment of the outcomes of INFCE.
The conventional view within the U.S. INFCE bureaucracy has been that the outcome will bo mixed? That we will lose ground on some important points, but these losses will be balanced by some important gains. Under this "win-some, lose-some" appraisal, the balance sheet for INFCE's main conclusions looks something like this:
US gains
On March 19, 1979, the Secretary of State wrote a memorandum to the President about nuclear problems in the Indian sub-continent. The memorandum discusses ongoing efforts to urge the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to approve the license for the next shipment of fuel to the Tarapur nuclear power plant. The memorandum also highlights Pakistan's clandestine program to develop a nuclear explosive device, which is in violation of the Symington Amendment.
In this letter from the President of the United States to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, concerns about Pakistan's plans to acquire sensitive nuclear facilities are expressed. The President acknowledges the mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries but raises the issue of nuclear proliferation. While the Prime Minister has provided assurances that Pakistan's nuclear activities will be solely for peaceful purposes, there is apprehension about the spread of nuclear technology associated with the development of nuclear explosives.
During a conversation between President Ford, Dr. Fred C. Ikle, and Lt. General Brent Scowcroft, several topics were discussed. Firstly, the Senate's ratification of the Geneva Protocol was mentioned, and it was suggested that a signing ceremony would demonstrate cooperation between the Legislative and Executive branches. The issue of nuclear proliferation was raised, with concerns about countries like Brazil, Argentina, Pakistan, Libya, and South Korea potentially seeking nuclear weapons.
This document is a classified memorandum of a conversation held on November 24, 1974, between Leonid I. Brezhnev, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the CPSU, and President Gerald R. Ford. The conversation focused on the topic of nuclear war. Brezhnev proposed a treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union, in which both countries would agree not to use nuclear weapons against each other or any other country. The treaty would be defensive in nature and aimed at preventing nuclear war.
The General Assembly, Recalling the principles of the Charter of the United Nations,
Considering that the restoration of the lawful rights of the People's Republic of China is essential both for the protection of the Charter of the United Nations and for the cause that the United Nations must serve under the Charter,
Recognizing that the representatives of the Government of the People's Republic of China are the only lawful representatives of China to the United Nations and that the People's Republic of China is one of the five permanent members of the Security Council,
In this letter from Ben-Gurion to Kennedy, Ben-Gurion commits to Dimona being used only for peaceful purposes, saying that this is a condition associated with the French supplied reactor. Ben-Guriion also agrees to annual US inspection.
In this letter, Harold Stassen, the President's Special Assistant for Disarmament, presents a summary and explanation of his recommendations following a presentation at the National Security Council (NSC). Stassen emphasizes the importance of the United States taking and maintaining a sound initiative for peace and the wellbeing of people worldwide. He suggests concrete and dramatic proposals to capture the attention and support of the public, including specific recommendations for spearheading proposals in the field of disarmament.
The Canadian Government agreed to provide an NRX atomic research and experimental reactor to the Government of India as part of their contribution to the Colombo Plan. The agreement stated that the reactor would be used for peaceful purposes only, and India would provide the site, facilities, and local labor and materials, while Canada would provide external costs of designing, manufacturing, and supervising the installation of the reactor. Canada would also provide training and technical experts during the construction and initial operation of the reactor.
In 1945, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the Prime Minister of Canada, and the President of the United States issued a joint statement recognizing the potential for atomic energy to be used for destructive purposes. They emphasized the need for responsibility and international cooperation in using these discoveries for the benefit of humanity, rather than as a means of aggression. They also acknowledged that complete protection from the destructive use of atomic energy lies in the prevention of war and the development of effective safeguards.
