NPT Review Conference Adopts Final Consensus Document
May 28, 2010
Late this afternoon, the 2010 NPT Review Conference concluded with the adoption of a final consensus document and a healthy round of applause, though the final hours were not without suspense, and the final document may be lacking in important areas, in particular on the issue of nonproliferation, curbing illicit nuclear trade, and key safeguards improvements.
As expected, the Middle East nuclear weapon free zone issue became the most contentious one in final hours of negotiations. Rumors circulated this morning that Iran was the lone holdout opposing the text, and that the Obama administration was objecting to language singling out Israel.
Egypt on behalf of the Arab League reportedly pushed this morning for language calling on Israel to join the NPT as part of an eventual Mideast zone. The United States said in its statement following adoption that it “deeply regretted” the mention of Israel in the final document. It also reiterated its view that “essential precursors” had to be met before a MENWFZ could be established, in particular progress on an Arab-Israeli peace process. Yesterday the United States noted that singling out Israel in the final document could compromise Israeli participation in the 2012 conference on the Middle East zone, for which it had brokered Israel’s commitment to participate.
In final statements, Egypt on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, welcomed the declaration as “an important step forward toward the realization of the goals and objectives of the Treaty.” The U.S. statement, delivered by Under Secretary Tauscher, also welcomed the agreement as a positive step, and one that advances President Obama’s disarmament and nonproliferation agenda. She singled out Iran, noting that it is the only current member of the NPT to have been found in noncompliance with its safeguards obligations and “has done nothing to enhance confidence” in the peaceful nature of its nuclear activities.
An ISIS analysis of the final document and its contribution to the nonproliferation pillar of the NPT will follow.
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