The Hindu : International : Keep WMD off terrorists' hands, U.N. tells nations

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 30, 2004

International

International

Keep WMD off terrorists' hands, U.N. tells nations

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON, APRIL 29. The United Nations Security Council has unanimously approved a binding resolution that requires all 191 member states to pass laws keeping weapons of mass destruction out of the hands of terrorists and punishing those involved in blackmarketeering in nuclear, chemical or biological weapons components.

The unanimous vote in the Security Council was possible after Pakistan dropped its objections to some of the provisions and joined others to give it a 15-0 cover. It was adopted under Chapter Seven of the U.N. Charter, which brings with it sanctions, and the threat of force.

To accommodate Islamabad's misgivings, the resolution was not given a retroactive status. Generally, Islamabad had been making the argument that it was not for the Security Council to "legislate for the world" on such issues as non-proliferation and disarmament.

The resolution was sponsored, among others, by Britain, France, Russia and the United States and compels the international community to come up with enforceable laws that would prevent terrorists and blackmarketeers from being able to "manufacture, acquire, possess, develop, transport or use nuclear, chemical, biological weapons and their means of delivery."

All countries are expected to report to the United Nations within six months on how they have gone about complying with the resolution; but the final draft makes it clear that on the subject of enforcement, there will be no unilateral action by any country. The resolution expressed the `intention' of the Security Council to monitor closely the implementation and to take "further decisions" which may be required.

The text of the resolution was a subject of intense discussion and debate by the Five Permanent Members of the Council — Britain, France, Russia, China and the United States — before the draft was circulated to the 10 non-permanent members.

China, for instance, has made it known that while the resolution "fills the gap" for now, a global treaty is required in the longer term.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International