OPINION: Envisioning a world without nukes

The situation with nonproliferation is far from ideal. The Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons is not living up to original intentions. It is asymmetric and provides sanctions only for non-nuclear-weapon states. It does not provide clear reaction from the International Atomic Energy Agency and the UN to countries’ failure to allow international inspectors access to nuclear facilities. Participants of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty can leave the treaty without consequences. All of this reduces its effectiveness.

{mosads}Working toward strengthening the NPT and ensuring its universality, Kazakhstan has also put forward an idea of developing a new universal treaty on comprehensive horizontal and vertical non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. Such a document should guarantee the non-use of double standards, while at the same time outlining clear obligations of parties and sanctions to be applied to detractors.

We are convinced of the need for the soonest adoption of a fissile material cutoff treaty, which could become an important step to strengthening the nonproliferation regime.

The people of Kazakhstan, who have learned the horrors of nuclear tests firsthand, have no doubts such tests should be completely banned. During 40 years, 450 nuclear tests were conducted at the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, causing suffering to 1.5 million of our people. That is why, on Aug. 29, 1991, I did not hesitate to issue a decree shutting down the Semipalatinsk test site. Years later the UN, at Kazakhstan’s initiative, declared Aug. 29 as the International Day against Nuclear Tests.

We regret that some rather influential countries refrain from signing and ratifying the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. This allows recognized nuclear states to continue to test nuclear weapons, and allows the so-called threshold states to pursue their own missile and nuclear program without punishment.

Here, special responsibility lies with recognized nuclear-weapon states. They should understand that it is impossible to modernize nuclear weapons while at the same times trying to convince developing states to renounce WMD programs. The voluntary moratorium on nuclear tests is important, but it is clearly not enough in the long term.

I call on all states, on which the CTBT entry into force depends, to show political will: to sign and ratify this extremely important document. Kazakhstan welcomes President Barack Obama’s decision to submit the treaty to the U.S. Senate for ratification. The U.S. ratification of this historic document will make other countries follow its example.

At the same time, a reasonable balance is needed between global efforts in fighting nuclear terrorism and internationally legitimate nuclear programs.
I believe that only sanctions, however effective, will not be enough. Whole countries and nations should not be driven into the corner, deprived of their legal rights for the peaceful atom and having their national dignity infringed. Positive stimuli and encouragement are needed. The states should find it more economically profitable to remain within the international legal realm and develop exclusively peaceful nuclear programs.

Kazakhstan, with its major resources of natural uranium, the technological base and developed infrastructure will also exercise its legal right for a peaceful atomic program. We will not limit ourselves to just being a supplier of raw materials and will seek a more decent place in the world’s technological chain.

Kazakhstan has been and remains a firm proponent of equal access of all countries to the peaceful atom. We support the idea of an international nuclear fuel bank under IAEA auspices. Kazakhstan is ready to not only host such a bank, but to ensure proper storage of nuclear fuel. And Kazakhstan will never cross the line separating a peaceful nuclear program from a military one.

Kazakhstan warmly welcomes the signing by President Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev of a new strategic arms reduction treaty. We believe this is a critical step toward a noble goal of a nuclear weapons-free world.

Still, we believe successes in the area of reduction of strategic nuclear arms, either achieved or expected, should not lead to complacency, let alone to unjustified euphoria.

A nuclear weapons-free world is a grandiose goal that cannot be reached in short historical terms. This, however, is not a reason to put off for tomorrow what can already be done today. A nuclear weapons-free world can only become a reality through joint efforts of all countries and nations.

Perhaps, there is a sense already in starting discussions of the adoption, in the future, of a Universal Declaration of a Nuclear Weapons-Free World, which would enshrine the resolution of all states to move toward a nuclear weapons-free world.

Kazakhstan has voluntarily renounced the world’s fourth largest nuclear arsenal and ensured its security and conditions for development through peaceful foreign policy, thus proving the reality of a nuclear weapons-free choice. We call on other countries to follow our example. There is no other way to a safer world free from the nuclear threat.

Nazarbayev is the president of Kazakhstan.