Egyptian Resolution Calls on Israel to Join NPT

Tracking Number: 390923

Title: "Egyptian Resolution Calls on Israel to Join NPT." Draft resolution introduced by Egypt at the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) conference calling on Israel to join the accord. (950511)

Date: 19950511

Text:
EGYPTIAN RESOLUTION CALLS ON ISRAEL TO JOIN NPT (NPT Text: Draft resolution introduced at conference) (635) United Nations -- An Egyptian draft resolution, introduced May 10 at the NPT review conference, calls on Israel, by name, "to accede without delay to the NPT and to place all of its nuclear activities under IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) full-scope safeguards."

The resolution, which is co-sponsored by Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia and Yemen, expresses "deep concern at the continued existence in the Middle East of unsafeguarded Israeli nuclear facilities."

Egyptian Ambassador Nabil Elaraby said the Arab Groups's resolution "does not ask for anything which is not factual...namely, that there are countries in the Middle East that are not party to the NPT."

"We are open minded...and are willing to work to get language that will be acceptable to all," the Egyptian envoy said, adding that he is working with the United States and treaty conference president Jayantha Dhanapala to accomplish that end.

A U.S. official said that the United States is not objecting to a resolution that mentions Israel, but it wants to "ensure that no country, including Israel, is unduly isolated or singled out."

Following is the text of the Egyptian resolution: (begin text) The Conference,

-- Reaffirming, the purpose and provisions of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of nuclear Weapons.

-- Recognizing that, pursuant to Article VII of the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the establishment of Nuclear Weapons Free Zones contributes to strengthening the international Non-Proliferation regime.

-- Recalling that, the Security Council in its statement of January 31st, 1992, affirmed that the proliferation of nuclear and all other weapons of mass destruction constitutes a threat to international peace and security.

-- Reaffirming the importance of the early realization of universal adherence to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons by all States in the Middle East.

-- Recalling also General Assembly resolutions adopted by Consensus supporting the establishment of a nuclear weapons free zone in the Middle East, the latest of which is resolution 49/71 adopted on 15 December 1994.

-- Further recalling the relevant resolutions adopted by the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency concerning the application of Agency safeguards in the Middle East, the latest of which is GC(XXXVIII)/RES/21 of September 1994, and noting the danger of nuclear proliferation especially in areas of tension.

-- Also bearing in mind Security Council resolution 687 (1991) and particularly paragraph 14.

-- Noting Security Council resolution 984 (1995). 1. Expresses deep concern at the continued existence in the Middle East of unsafeguarded Israeli nuclear facilities.

2. Calls upon Israel to accede without delay to the NPT and to place all its nuclear activities under IAEA full-scope safeguards.

3. Calls upon all States in the Middle East to take practical steps towards the establishment of a verifiable Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction, nuclear, chemical and biological and their delivery systems, and pending the establishment of such a zone to refrain from taking any measures that may hinder the realization of these objectives.

4. Calls upon all states parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and in particular the Nuclear Weapon States to extend their cooperation and to exert their utmost efforts with a view to ensuring the early and successful establishment of a Middle East free of nuclear and all other weapons of mass destruction and their delivery system.

5. Invites the five Nuclear Weapon States to consider, as a matter of priority, and as an interim measure, granting security assurances to the States in the region parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons State.

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