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NPT may be constrained on updating nuclear arms, UK admits

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

London, Feb. 1, IRNA
UK Inquiry- Nuclear Weapons
Britain's Defence Ministry has admitted that the government may face possible constraints to a future decision to be made on whether to replace its submarine-based Trident nuclear weapons due to its international obligations.

In a statement newly released by the parliamentary Defence Committee, the ministry said that the most relevant obligation included the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and specifically articles one and four.

According to Article One, Britain as one of the five officially declared nuclear-weapon states has undertaken "not to transfer to any recipient whatsoever nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices or control over such weapons or explosive devices directly, or indirectly."
It is also prohibited "in any way to assist, encourage, or induce any non-nuclear-weapon State to manufacture or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices, or control over such weapons or explosive devices."
More specifically under Article Four, the UK is obliged to "pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to the cessation of the nuclear arms race at an early date and to nuclear disarmament."
Its commitment, yet to be kept, also includes pursing "a treaty on general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control."
In its submission to the committee, the first since launching an inquiry into the future of Britain's strategic nuclear deterrent, the Defence Ministry insisted a "number of significant steps" had already been taken in meeting its NPT disarmament obligations.

"For example, we have reduced our nuclear capability to a minimum deterrent, represented by a single nuclear- weapons system," it said.

Since the end of the Cold War, Britain has claimed to have cut the total explosive power of its nuclear forces by over 70 per cent.

"We have also reduced the readiness of our nuclear forces: only a single Trident submarine is now on deterrent patrol, carrying 48 warheads which are de-targeted and are at several days "notice to fire," the ministry said.

But its statement made no mention of the implications if the British government, as expected, decides to upgrade its ageing Trident nuclear warheads.

The committee's inquiry aimed to inform public debate on the government's forthcoming decision by looking at the "strategic context and the timetable" on a possible replacement for Trident.

The Defence Ministry referred to other possible constraints coming from obligations under the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty, the Hague Code of Conduct, the Missile Technology Control Regime and Nuclear Weapons Free Zones treaties.

The UK's current position was that the Trident system would remain in service until 2020 "with some relatively minor upgrading and refurbishment during the first half of the next decade."
Prime Minister Tony Blair's government is widely expected to make a formal decision on any replacement during the current parliament because of the lengthy lead-time required.

2220/345/2322/1412