Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)
2006 United Nations News
2006 Global Special Weapons News
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December
- Pledging 'continuity with change,' new UN leader names chief of staff, spokesperson UN News Centre 31 Dec 2006 -- On the eve of taking office as the eighth United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon today named two key members of his team, selecting a former senior Indian government official as chef de cabinet and an award-winning journalist from Haiti as spokesperson while pledging “continuity along with change.”
- World: Iran, North Korea Present Proliferation Challenges RFE/RL 24 Dec 2006 -- The spread of nuclear weapons continues to be a major concern for the world community, and events in 2006 did little to dampen fears
- UN issues guidelines for first responders in case of nuclear accidents, terrorist attack UN News Centre 22 Dec 2006 -- The first people on the scene of a nuclear or radiological emergency, whether from a terrorist attack, an accident or theft, the so-called ‘First Responders’ who are usually local medical, police and fire brigades, now have a detailed list of “do’s and don’ts” under key United Nations guidelines issued today.
- Annan Defends His UN Stewardship VOA 19 Dec 2006 -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has used his farewell news conference to defend his stewardship of the world body
- Top UN legal official calls for ratification of treaty against nuclear terrorism UN News Centre 16 Dec 2006 -- The United Nations top legal official today appealed to Member States to become parties to the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism.
- General Assembly swears in Ban and pays glowing tribute to outgoing Annan UN News Centre 14 Dec 2006 -- The 192-member General Assembly today swore in Ban Ki-moon as the next United Nations Secretary-General and, standing and applauding, paid a thunderous and prolonged tribute to his predecessor, Kofi Annan, who steps down on 31 December at the end of his 10-year tenure.
- Ban Ki-moon Sworn in as UN Secretary-General VOA 14 Dec 2006 -- Ban Ki-Moon of South Korea has been sworn in as the eighth U.N. secretary-general of the United Nations
- General Assembly President proposes three options on Security Council reform UN News Centre 13 Dec 2006 -- After two days of the General Assembly’s annual debate on reforming the 15-member Security Council, the Assembly President has outlined three possible options on how to proceed, noting that while consensus appears to exist on the need to expand its membership, a “divergence of views” continues on how best to do this.
- Many Give Annan High Marks as UN Chief, Despite Flaws VOA 13 Dec 2006 -- Kofi Annan is completing ten years as U.N. secretary-general to applause and ovations from his legions of fans. In a series of scripted events, he is reliving the glory days of his first term, when he enjoyed "rock star" status and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
- UN: Annan Urges U.S. To Defend Human Rights, Rule Of Law RFE/RL 12 Dec 2006 -- Kofi Annan, who will step down as the United Nations secretary-general in less than a month, used his last speech in his official capacity to appeal to the United States to uphold high standards of human rights and the rule of law.
- General Assembly president urges ‘realistic assessment’ of Security Council reform UN News Centre 11 Dec 2006 -- Acknowledging that past efforts to expand the membership of the United Nations Security Council have not met with success, the President of the General Assembly today urged participants in its annual debate on the issue to take a realistic approach order to open the way for real progress.
- Annan Criticizes US In Farewell Speech VOA 11 Dec 2006 -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has used his farewell address to caution the United States against sacrificing its ideals in the battle against terrorism.
- Annan calls on governments to destroy ‘cruel and inhumane’ chemical weapons UN News Centre 05 Dec 2006 -- Describing chemical weapons as “cruel and inhumane,” United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today called on all States to accede to the global convention banning these arms, as the treaty approaches its 10-year anniversary.
November
October
- UN nuclear watchdog agency chief urges controls over whole fuel cycle UN News Centre 30 Oct 2006 -- Steeply rising global energy demand – with more countries turning to nuclear power for supply – has heightened proliferation concerns which can only be satisfied by new multilateral controls on the nuclear fuel cycle, the head of the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said today.
- Final seat on Security Council remains undecided after latest day of voting UN News Centre 25 Oct 2006 -- The United Nations General Assembly today remained deadlocked after a fourth day of voting in the contest to fill a non-permanent seat on the Security Council for the Latin American and Caribbean region, with Guatemala maintaining its lead over Venezuela but falling short of the necessary two-thirds majority.
- IAEA Director Presses for Dialogue With North Korea, Iran VOA 24 Oct 2006 -- The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency says dialogue with North Korea and Iran is the only way to resolve disputes about their nuclear ambitions.
- U.S. Welcomes Ban Ki-moon as Next U.N. Leader Washington File 14 Oct 2006 -- President Bush welcomes the appointment of South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon as the next secretary-general of the United Nations, according to a White House press statement.
- UN nuclear chief meets with US Secretary Rice; calls for talks with DPR Korea, Iran UN News Centre 23 Oct 2006 -- The head of the United Nations atomic watchdog met today with United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Washington to discuss the nuclear programmes of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Iran, shortly after calling for talks with both countries.
- DPR Korea, Middle East nations urged to join UN-affiliated body on chemical weapons UN News Centre 20 Oct 2006 -- The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and key countries in the Middle East – Egypt, Israel, Lebanon and Syria – form a “hard core” of nations that are resisting any moves towards joining the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the head of the United Nations-affiliated body said today.
- World: Rogue Nuclear Programs Threaten New Arms Race RFE/RL 19 Oct 2006 -- The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Muhammad el-Baradei, warned this week that although much attention is now focused on Iran and North Korea, up to 30 countries around the world could relatively quickly develop nuclear weapons.
- UN nuclear watchdog says it needs greater resources to tackle new challenges, terrorism UN News Centre 19 Oct 2006 -- With a major increase in nuclear power generation around the world and a “temptation” for countries to develop nuclear weapons, the United Nations atomic watchdog has said it needs greater technological, regulatory and financial resources to tackle the new challenges, including preventing such weapons falling into terrorist hands.
- IAEA chief criticizes nuclear arms states, raises challenges to NPT IRNA 16 Oct 2006 -- Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Mohamed ElBaradei on Monday criticized the nuclear arms states for ignoring disarmament and said that the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) has faced with challenges from more countries.
- South Korean To Be Next UN Secretary-General RFE/RL 14 Oct 2006 -- The United Nations General Assembly has formally appointed South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon to be the next UN secretary-general.
- Security Council proposes Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Ban as Secretary-General UN News Centre 09 Oct 2006 -- The Security Council today formally chose Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon of the Republic of Korea as its nominee to be the next Secretary-General of the United Nations for a five-year term when incumbent Kofi Annan steps down on 31 December.
- South Korean Nominated As UN Secretary-General VOA 09 Oct 2006 -- The U.N. Security Council has nominated South Korea's Foreign Minister Ban Ki-Moon to be the world body's next secretary-general.
- Cuba Denies Fidel Castro Is Dying VOA 09 Oct 2006 -- Cuba's interim leader, Raul Castro, has denied a U.S. media report that his brother, President Fidel Castro, is dying of cancer and will not return to power.
- UN: Career Diplomat Set To Be Next Secretary-General RFE/RL 08 Oct 2006 -- Barring unforeseen circumstances, South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon will succeed Kofi Annan as UN Secretary-General when Annan steps down at the end of December.
- UN: South Korean Likely To Be Next Secretary-General RFE/RL 03 Oct 2006 -- South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon is almost certain to become the next United Nations secretary-general after the last informal vote in the UN Security Council on October 2 showed his candidacy firmly supported by 14 of the council's 15 members, including all five permanent veto-yielding members.
- S. Korean Diplomat All But Certain to Assume UN Top Job VOA 03 Oct 2006 -- South Korea's foreign minister is quite likely to be answering to a new title soon - United Nations secretary-general. Seoul's chief diplomat has cleared what is widely viewed as the last major hurdle to winning the post.
- U.S. Hails Preliminary Vote for New U.N. Secretary-General Washington File 03 Oct 2006 -- The United States is "very pleased with the outcome" of a U.N. Security Council vote that puts South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ban Ki-moon in position to be formally elected as the eighth secretary-general, U.S. Ambassador John Bolton said October 2.
September
- South Korean Diplomat in Lead For Top UN Job VOA 30 Sep 2006 -- South Korea's foreign minister has emerged as the front-runner in the contest to take over the top job at the United Nations later this year
- IAEA to resume work on uranium enrichment center in Angarsk RIA Novosti 28 Sep 2006 -- An International Atomic Energy Agency delegation will soon arrive in Moscow to continue work on establishing an international uranium enrichment center in Angarsk, Russia's nuclear chief said Thursday.
- UN Debate Ends, Focus Switches to Search for New Secretary-General VOA 27 Sep 2006 -- The annual U.N. General Assembly debate has ended in New York, clearing the way for the final stage of the process of selecting a new secretary-general
- UN atomic watchdog calls for financial and technical support to fight nuclear terrorism UN News Centre 26 Sep 2006 -- The United Nations atomic watchdog agency has called on all Member States to provide political, financial, and technical support to prevent nuclear and radiological terrorism.
- Need for Security Council reform is greater than ever, says Annan as he urges action UN News Centre 21 Sep 2006 -- As part of his further efforts to speed up the process of United Nations reform, Secretary-General Kofi Annan has said the 15-member Security Council must change to reflect the new reality of international relations, and called on all Member States to find a compromise solution to resolve the impasse.
- UN atomic chief calls for multilateral facility to supply enriched uranium fuel UN News Centre 19 Sep 2006 -- At a time of growing global energy demand, mounting concern over nuclear proliferation as evidenced in Iran and the danger of nuclear materials falling into terrorist hands, the head of the United Nations atomic watchdog today called for conversion of enrichment and reprocessing facilities from national to multilateral operations.
- Bush, Annan Head List of World Leaders Addressing UN Assembly VOA 20 Sep 2006 -- The words of President Bush, Secretary-General Kofi Annan and other world leaders dominated day one of the annual U.N. General Assembly debate
- South Korean Seen as Front-Runner in UN Secretary-General Race VOA 14 Sep 2006 -- A preliminary poll of U.N. Security Council members has reaffirmed South Korea's foreign minister as the leading candidate to become the world body's next secretary-general.
- Russia nuclear chief cautious over IAEA uranium reserve proposal RIA Novosti 12 Sep 2006 -- Russia's civilian nuclear chief said Tuesday a proposal made by the International Atomic Energy Agency to create guaranteed reserves of low-enriched uranium was interesting, but dangerous.
August
- Sensitive Nuclear Material Removed From Poland IAEA 10 Aug 2006 -- In a mission completed 9 August 2006, the IAEA helped Polish authorities to remove close to 40kg of highly enriched uranium (HEU) from a nuclear research reactor facility at Otwock-Swierk near the capital of Warsaw.
- Russia repatriates spent nuclear fuel from Poland reactor RIA Novosti 10 Aug 2006 -- Russia has taken back dozens of kilograms of highly enriched spent uranium from a reactor built with Soviet assistance in Poland, the Russian Federal Agency for Nuclear Power said Thursday.
July
- U.N. Reform Remains High Priority for United States Washington File 28 Jul 2006 -- Management reform at the United Nations remains a priority for the United States, but achieving changes is "an uphill battle," U.S. Ambassador John Bolton told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee July 27.
- India criticises P-5 for hindering UN reforms IRNA 23 Jul 2006 -- Making a strong case for expansion of the 15-member Security Council, India has sharply criticized permanent members of the UN's top organ for hindering substantive reforms which would help bring the world body in line with current realities.
- General Assembly debates Security Council reform UN News Centre 21 Jul 2006 -- After two days of discussion at the General Assembly on proposals to reform the Security Council, broad consensus began to emerge that despite recent significant reform of the world body as a whole, without changes to the composition and operation of the Council, there could be no genuine United Nations reform.
June
- State Official Says U.N. Reform Process Slow, Inadequate Washington File 27 Jun 2006 -- Not enough progress has been made to date in reforming the United Nations, a senior State Department official says.
- Russia rejects ultimatums that undermine UN authority - Putin RIA Novosti 27 Jun 2006 -- Russia will have no part in ultimatums on non-proliferation that undermine the authority of the United Nations, President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday.
- Annan pleads for end to international deadlock on nuclear non-proliferation UN News Centre 21 Jun 2006 -- With the world “sleepwalking” down the path towards more States, and possibly terrorists, acquiring nuclear weapons, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today strongly urged the Conference on Disarmament to take action after nine years of deadlock and two recent high-profile failures to strengthen the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
- UN Secretary-General Warns of Nuclear Proliferation VOA 21 Jun 2006 -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan warns that the spread of nuclear weapons threatens to propel the world into a state of crisis
- To counter nuclear terrorism, UN urges phasing out civilian use of high enriched uranium UN News Centre 19 Jun 2006 -- Amid clear signs that terrorists are trying to acquire nuclear material through criminal networks, the head of the United Nations atomic watchdog agency today called for urgent and more coherent global action to minimize the uses of and commerce in high enriched uranium (HEU), a main ingredient in nuclear weapons production.
- UN nuclear chief calls for new approaches to fight proliferation UN News Centre 14 Jun 2006 -- The head of the United Nations atomic watchdog today called for fresh approaches to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons and the possibility of their falling into the hands of terrorists, outlining a multinational framework to control access to the sensitive technologies of uranium enrichment and plutonium separation.
- Former UN Weapons Inspector Calls for Fewer Nukes VOA 13 Jun 2006 -- Former chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix is urging the United States and Russia to take the lead in reducing nuclear weapons
- Annan welcomes report urging broad steps to prevent terrorists from getting WMDs UN News Centre 01 Jun 2006 -- Secretary-General Kofi Annan today welcomed a new report calling for broad steps to prevent weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) from falling into terrorist hands – ranging from outlawing them completely to convening a world summit on the issue – after receiving it from chief author Hans Blix, a former chief United Nations arms inspector for Iraq.
May
- Diplomats Debate Method of Choosing Next UN Secretary-General VOA 26 May 2006 -- The process of choosing the world's diplomat-in-chief is under way behind closed doors at U.N. headquarters in New York
- U.N. Reforms Resisted by Many Who Pay Little in U.N. Dues Washington File 25 May 2006 -- Needed management reforms in the United Nations are being resisted by more than 120 U.N. members who, collectively, provide relatively little budget support to the institution, Ambassador John Bolton says.
- UN nuclear chief’s recipe for safer world: development not weapons UN News Centre 26 May 2006 -- As the world reaches a fork in the road over nuclear weapons, it is up to the new generation to develop an alternative system of collective security based not on the build-up of armaments but on addressing root causes of insecurity ranging from poverty and repression to unresolved conflicts, according to the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency
- World must deal now with dangers of nuclear proliferation, Annan warns UN News Centre 18 May 2006 -- The world seems to be “sleepwalking” down a path in which more and more States feel obliged to obtain nuclear weapons even as militant groups seek the means to carry out nuclear terrorism, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan warned today.
- Global security demands human solidarity, not nuclear deterrence – UN atomic chief UN News Centre 17 May 2006 -- Noting that many of the world’s ills could be eliminated for less than a third of the global annual expenditure on armaments, the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog agency has dismissed the current global approach to security as dysfunctional and called for a new emphasis on universal freedoms to eliminate extremism and terrorism.
April
- Background Q&A: The Impact of the UN Oil-for-Food Scandal cfr.org 12 May 2006 -- The UN's investigation into the abuse of the Iraqi oil-for-food program officially ended in October 2005, but it continues to reverberate within UN headquarters and in an increasing number of capitals
- Security Council renews committee helping keep WMDs from terrorists UN News Centre 27 Apr 2006 -- Calling for intensified efforts to boost States' cooperation with measures to keep nuclear, chemical and biological weapons out of the hands of terrorists and black marketeers, the United Nations Security Council today extended the mandate of the committee overseeing the issue for a period of two years.
- Nuclear bomb grade fuel removed from Uzbekistan in UN-monitored operation UN News Centre 21 Apr 2006 -- Spent nuclear fuel containing enough uranium to produce two and a half nuclear bombs has been returned to Russia from Uzbekistan in a secret mission completed yesterday under monitoring by the United Nations atomic watchdog agency as part of its efforts to stop the diversion of such material to terrorist or other ends.
- Reform at United Nations Is Top U.S. Priority, State Official Says Washington File 13 Apr 2006 -- Management reform at the United Nations is at the top of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s agenda, says Kristen Silverberg, assistant secretary of state for international organization affairs.
- UN official calls for breaking logjam on nuclear disarmament front UN News Centre 10 Apr 2006 -- With virtual stagnation on the disarmament front despite heightened global concern over the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and the risk of them falling into terrorist hands, a senior United Nations official today called for urgent new momentum, especially with regard to nuclear arms.
March
- U.S. a Major Supporter of Atomic Energy Agency, Official Says Washington File 29 Mar 2006 -- The United States is a major contributor to the international community's principal guardian against nuclear weapons proliferation, an Energy Department official says.
- UN nuclear chief lays out plan to counter proliferation, terrorist threat UN News Centre 27 Mar 2006 -- Faced with the threat of nuclear proliferation and the prospect of such weapons falling into the hands of terrorists, the head of the United Nations atomic watchdog agency has laid out a five-point plan of action ranging from tighter controls and protection of materials to strengthening the Security Council.
- Slovakia first to ratify UN-administered pact on nuclear terrorism UN News Centre 23 Mar 2006 -- Slovakia today became the first country to ratify and become party to a treaty for cooperation in staving off the horrifying possibility of terrorism involving the use of nuclear devices, which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in April 2005.
- Despite progress, nuclear reactor safety still falls short – UN atomic watchdog UN News Centre 06 Mar 2006 -- Despite the efforts of the past two decades to upgrade civilian nuclear reactor safety, facilities still exist where safety assistance needs to be made a priority even as expectations for atomic power as an energy source are rising measurably, the United Nations nuclear watchdog agency warned today.
- World’s regulators meet on nuclear safety and security at UN conference UN News Centre 03 Mar 2006 -- Faced with the threat of nuclear terrorism and the risk of accidents at atomic power stations, senior regulators from some 60 countries wrapped up a week-long United Nations-sponsored meeting in Moscow today aimed at reinforcing nuclear safety and security around the world.
- United States Supports Larger U.N. Security Council Washington File 03 Mar 2006 -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the United States understands India's desire to be a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and supports a larger, more representative council.
February
- Top UN peacekeeping official calls for professional ‘core’ for field operations UN News Centre 27 Feb 2006 -- The head of United Nations peacekeeping operations today called for the creation of a “core” of 2,500 career civilian professionals who would provide an institutional cornerstone for more effective management of UN field operations.
- United States Questions Rights Council Draft Resolution Washington File 23 Feb 2006 --The final design of the new Human Rights Council presented by General Assembly negotiators "does not live up to the standards" set by Secretary-General Kofi Annan and governments should consider more negotiations, U.S. Ambassador John Bolton said February 23.
- UN To Vote On New Human Rights Council RFE/RL 24 Feb 2006 -- UN General Assembly President Jan Eliasson has called for a vote next week on a proposal to replace the discredited UN Human Rights Commission with a smaller Human Rights Council.
- United Nations Must Reform Peacekeeping Operations, Bolton Says Washington File 22 Feb 2006 -- A new report criticizing the management of U.N. peacekeeping operations shows "the need for a fundamental shift" in the organization's operating culture, U.S. Ambassador John Bolton says.
- UN: World Begins Search For Next Secretary-General RFE/RL 21 Feb 2006 -- Last week, the Security Council began discussions on the selection of the next United Nations leader.
- U.S. Wants Strong Manager To Lead United Nations Washington File 16 Feb 2006 -- In selecting the next secretary-general of the United Nations, the United States wants someone with extensive management experience, U.S. Ambassador John Bolton says.
- Middle East: Iran Central To UN, U.S. Meeting RFE/RL 13 Feb 2006 -- Iran, Iraq, and Western relations with the Muslim world are on the agenda as U.S. President George Bush prepares to meet UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
- Bush, Secretary-General Annan Discuss Sudan, U.N. Reform Washington File 13 Feb 2006 -- President Bush and U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan discussed Sudan, the Middle East, and reform efforts at the United Nations in a White House meeting February 13.
- U.S. Senator Urges Strong Nonproliferation Regime Washington File 06 Feb 2006 -- Urging the Security Council to consider the economic and moral threats the world faces from weapons of mass destruction (WMD), U.S. Senator Richard Lugar February 6 said the council must be prepared to impose sanctions if Iran does not comply with U.N. resolutions and arms agreements.
- UN: U.S. Senate Committee Calls For Implemention Of Reforms RFE/RL 07 Feb 2006 -- The United Nations has been rocked in recent years by a series of scandals that have sparked widespread calls for it to institute reforms
- US Senator backs Annan’s UN reform agenda UN News Centre 06 Feb 2006 -- Emphasizing the importance of the United Nations in today’s interdependent world, a key United States senator today voiced support for the reform agenda put forward by Secretary-General Kofi Annan while calling for stepped-up global action to address problems associated with nuclear weapons and climate change.
January
- United States Not Trying To Shrink U.N., State's Lagon Says Washington File 26 Jan 2006 -- The United States is not trying to rein in the United Nations by advocating reform of the world body, says the State Department’s deputy assistant secretary for international organization affairs.
- In face of stalemate, Annan urges disarmament negotiators to take pragmatic steps UN News Centre 25 Jan 2006 -- As delegates participating in the world's sole multilateral forum for disarmament negotiations gathered in Geneva to begin their annual session, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged them to take a pragmatic approach to breaking the stalemate that has dogged efforts to reduce arsenals in recent years.
- United Nations Investigating 200 Charges of Procurement Abuse Washington File 24 Jan 2006 -- Internal U.N. investigations have uncovered 200 instances of alleged procurement mismanagement and fraud in peacekeeping operations and at U.N. headquarters, a senior U.N. official has reported.
- ElBaradei wants nuclear powers to disarm IRNA 24 Jan 2006 -- Head of the International Atomic Energy Agency Mohamed ElBaradei says that he wants nuclear power countries such as the US and Russia to fulfill pledges that they made decades ago to work towards disarmament.
- UN Suspends 8 Employees During Procurement Investigation VOA 17 Jan 2006 -- The United Nations has ordered eight staff members to take paid leave while the world body investigates fraud and mismanagement in purchasing for U.N. peacekeeping forces.
