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Halting the Nuclear Black Market

(San Francisco Chronicle) Tom Lantos - Globalization and the Cold War's end have given rise to a nuclear black market with chilling implications for the future of arms control. Rogue nations and terrorist groups have greater access to the makings of a radioactive "dirty bomb," or even a nuclear device, than ever before. While the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty codified the right of non-nuclear states to receive and develop the means for peaceful applications of nuclear energy, under this guise, countries can develop or import essentially all the equipment they need to produce a nuclear weapon. Such countries do not even have to reveal the existence of these facilities or let inspectors visit them until they are ready to begin operation. The U.S., with outside assistance, is now attempting to shut down this supplier network, but new suppliers may come along if the international community does not act immediately. Strong economic and diplomatic action must be taken against countries such as Iran, even if it means additional costs and lost investment opportunities. Iran, as a state abusing its access to the means of peaceful nuclear development, has forfeited the right to produce nuclear material for reactors and must be deprived of new nuclear-related trade, investment, and trade agreements until it permanently and verifiably ceases all suspect nuclear activities and dismantles any fuel-production facilities.
2004-04-02 00:00:00
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