. UN and Global Special Weapons News - Nuclear, Biological Chemical and Missile Proliferation


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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)


2004 United Nations News
2004 Global Special Weapons News

  • Paying tribute to victims, Ban Ki-moon calls for destruction of chemical weapons UN News Centre 29 Apr 2008 -- Marking the Remembrance Day for Victims of Chemical Warfare, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on all States to ratify the international treaty banning the deadly weapons.
  • PROLIFERATION: OVERVIEW VOA 27 Dec 2004 -- Foreign policy experts say the international community must increase its efforts to curtail the possible spread of nuclear weapons.
  • In Washington DC, Annan says UN is best placed to tackle global ills UN News Centre 16 Dec 2004 -- Delivering a speech in Washington, DC today, Secretary-General Kofi Annan sought the support of the United States in adapting the United Nations to better respond to emerging global threats, while emphasizing the world body's central role in this endeavour.
  • ANNAN / SPEECH VOA 16 Dec 2004 -- United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan says the organization is in need of reform, but remains the international community's best hope for facing global threats and challenges.
  • World: UN And Washington Seek To Navigate Rocky Patch In Relations RFE/RL 16 Dec 2004 -- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan is set to meet in Washington today with the current and future U.S. secretaries of state amid yet another rocky period in U.S.-UN relations. Some Republicans in the U.S. Congress are calling for Annan's resignation and the Bush administration has expressed concern at limited UN involvement in Iraq's election process. The administration has also recently spoken out against a new term in office for International Atomic Energy Agency head Muhammad el-Baradei. The tensions reflect the general hostility, heightened by the Iraq war, of some in Washington toward the UN. But experts say the relationship is too important to suffer long-term damage.
  • Annan meets Eastern European delegations on UN reform and world threats UN News Centre 15 Dec 2004 -- Finalizing the first round of discussions on reforming the United Nations, Secretary-General Kofi Annan today met Eastern European delegates to discuss more than 100 recommendations from a blue-ribbon group that he empanelled to recommend ways of making the 191-member body more flexible in handling existing and emerging threats.
  • U.S.-ELBARADEI VOA 13 Dec 2004 -- The Bush administration signaled Monday it opposes another term for Mohamed ElBaradei as Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency. U.S. spokesmen cited a general policy against more than two terms for U.N. agency heads, rather than specific differences with the IAEA chief.
  • BUSH / IAEA VOA 12 Dec 2004 -- Bush administration says it continues to believe there should be term limits for top U.N. officials. Among those nearing the end of his second term is the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohamed ElBaradei.
  • Security Council committee urges greater effort on weapons of mass destruction UN News Centre 09 Dec 2004 -- Seven months after the Security Council set up a committee to help implement a resolution that aims to prevent "the ultimate nightmare" - weapons of mass destruction (WMD) falling into the hands of terrorists and dealers on the black market - only 86 countries have submitted their first reports explaining what they have done or plan to do to meet the requirements set out in the measure.
  • UN/ANNAN/REFORM VOA 08 Dec 2004 -- The U.N. General Assembly has given Secretary-General Kofi Annan a symbolic show of support in the face of calls by some U.S. lawmakers for his resignation. Mr. Annan received a rare standing ovation after addressing the 191-member body.
  • Putin Rejects Recommendations To Revamp UN RFE/RL 04 Dec 2004 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin today dismissed a key recommendation by a United Nations panel on expanding the UN Security Council.
  • Annan endorses panel's recommendations for a more secure world, strengthened UN UN News Centre 02 Nov 2004 -- Secretary-General Kofi Annan today gave his strong support to the findings of a high-level panel that looked at how the international community could address new and evolving security threats, including its recommendations for reforming the United Nations.
  • High-level panel named by Annan proposes far-reaching changes to bolster UN UN News Centre 01 Dec 2004 -- A panel of eminent persons has recommended far-reaching changes to boost the ability of the United Nations to deal effectively with future threats caused by poverty and environmental degradation, terrorism, civil war, conflict between states, weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and organized crime.
  • UN REFORM VOA 30 Nov 2004 -- A high-level U.N. panel has issued a sweeping series of recommendations on how to reform the world body to meet the challenges of the 21st century. The recommendations deal with subjects ranging from nuclear non-proliferation to expanding the Security Council.
  • Curbing potential spread of weapons-grade uranium could take 10 years - IAEA UN News Centre 16 Nov 2004 -- It will take the better part of a decade for all the world's civil nuclear research reactors to be converted to run on fuel that poses a lower risk of proliferation of weapons-grade high-enriched uranium (HEU), the United Nations atomic watchdog agency reports in its latest update on the issue.
  • UN watchdog urges better steps to keep nuclear material out of terrorist hands UN News Centre 08 Nov 2004 -- Declaring that the "threat of nuclear terrorism is real and current," the head of the United Nations atomic watchdog today called for urgent international measures to prevent radioactive matter from falling into the hands of terrorists, citing increased trafficking of nuclear or other radioactive materials as a "disturbing" sign.
  • AUSTRALIA ELBARADEI NUCLEAR VOA 08 Nov 2004 -- The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohamed ElBaradei, has warned that the world faces a real threat from nuclear terrorism. Speaking at a conference in Sydney, Mr. ElBaradei said an extensive black market in radioactive materials is increasing the danger. He also saw signs of hope in an agreement to end a dispute over Iran's nuclear programs.
  • PRESS BRIEFING BY UN UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR MANAGEMENT United Nations 02 Nov 2004
  • UN/IAEA/ELBARADEI VOA 01 Nov 2004 -- The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency has described North Korea as a serious challenge to nuclear non-proliferation efforts. In a speech to the General Assembly, agency chief Mohammed ElBaradei also urged Iran to suspend nuclear enrichment activities.
  • Safeguards Computer System in Need of Urgent Upgrade IAEA 22 Oct 2004 -- Information gathered by IAEA nuclear inspectors is processed in a confidential IT system to monitor countries nuclear activities.
  • World: Risk Of Weapons Proliferation Grows As Nuclear Technology Spreads RFE/RL 20 Oct 2004 -- After years in the doldrums, nuclear energy is expected to enjoy a marked increase in popularity in the coming years due to concerns over the burning of fossil fuels. This brings with it increased risks of nuclear-weapons proliferation, however. The ongoing dispute between Iran and the West illustrates the practical difficulties of ensuring nonproliferation. Iran is asserting its right to pursue a nuclear energy program, but Western countries, led by the United States, suspect Tehran's intentions are not peaceful. But since much of the basic technology for developing nuclear weapons or civilian nuclear energy is the same, it's hard to find concrete proof either way.
  • Inspections, diplomacy can help keep nuclear proliferation in check - IAEA chief UN News Centre 07 Oct 2004 -- Verification of a country's nuclear activities, used together with diplomacy, can be a very effective way of ensuring compliance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), but the international community must be prepared to take action in the event of non-conformity, the head of the United Nations atomic watchdog has said.
  • IAEA selects Canadian ambassador to lead its governing board UN News Centre 28 Sep 2004 -- The United Nations nuclear watchdog agency has chosen Canadian Ambassador Ingrid Hall to serve as the Chair of its Board of Governors for the 2004-2005 working year.
  • UN panel working to keep chemical, germ and nuclear arms out of terrorist hands UN News Centre 26 Sep 2004 -- The ability of countries to prevent terrorists, black marketers and other private interests from acquiring weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) will soon get essential support from a Security Council committee set up to monitor the problem, the panel's chairman said today.
  • IAEA/ElBARABDEI VOA 27 Sep 2004 -- The International Atomic Energy Agency chief, Mohamed ElBaradei, who has gained international prominence for his efforts to avert war in Iraq and press Iran and North Korea on their nuclear weapons ambitions, is seeking a third term as agency chief. But some key member countries are signaling they would like to see new blood.
  • PRESS CONFERENCE ON COMPREHENSIVE NUCLEAR-TEST-BAN TREATY United Nations 23 Sep 2004
  • In bid to prevent nuclear terrorism, UN agency tracks illicit trafficking UN News Centre 23 Sep 2004 -- Stepping up its efforts to prevent nuclear and radiological terrorism, the United Nations atomic watchdog agency says that as of today close to 60 new potentially illicit trafficking incidents have been reported just since the beginning of the year.
  • Annan urges remaining countries to sign and ratify nuclear test-ban treaty UN News Centre 23 Sep 2004 -- Welcoming today's statement of 42 countries in support of the global pact banning nuclear tests, Secretary-General Kofi Annan has urged those countries which have not yet signed or ratified the treaty to do so immediately so that it takes effect.
  • Addressing UN Assembly, Annan urges nations to restore respect for rule of law UN News Centre 21 Sep 2004 -- Decrying what he described as "shameless" disregard for the rule of law around the globe, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today urged world leaders gathered at the General Assembly to do everything within their power to restore respect for the fundamental principles of law - in domestic affairs, as well as on the international arena.
  • UNGA DEBATE OPEN VOA 21 Sep 2004 -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has told world leaders that the rule of law is under attack in crisis points around the globe.
  • U.S., IAEA Program Promotes Nuclear Plant Safety Washington File 14 Sep 2004 -- Engineers at the U.S. Department of Energy Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL), along with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), have produced a computerized training program that could help prevent an accident like the 1986 disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, according to a September 13 INEEL press release.
  • Transcript of the Director General´s Press Statement on IAEA Inspection in Iran, Libya & the Republic of Korea International Atomic Energy Agency 13 Sep 2004
  • IAEA/NUCLEAR VOA 11 Sep 2004 -- The International Atomic Energy Agency board of governors meets behind closed doors Monday to discuss whether failures by Iran and South Korea to fully declare nuclear experiments should go to the United Nations Security Council. The IAEA could face a long week of negotiations.
  • UN atomic agency seeks to tackle shortage in new generation of nuclear workers UN News Centre 09 Sep 2004 -- Seeking to ensure the safe and economic use of nuclear science and technology, the United Nations atomic agency has brought together more than 200 experts, scientists and officials from over 40 countries this week to tackle such issues as the lag in the rise of a new generation to replace the current ageing nuclear workforce.
  • IAEA / BLACK MARKET VOA 07 Sep 2004 -- The International Atomic Energy Agency says it is making progress tracking down a global black market in nuclear technology that was run by a top Pakistani scientist. But the agency says it needs more information from foreign intermediaries and workshops that stored sensitive components.
  • Iran and Libya figure high on agenda of upcoming UN atomic agency meeting UN News Centre 02 Sep 2004 -- The United Nations nuclear watchdog agency will have a full agenda when its Board of Governors begins a three-day meeting in Vienna on 13 September with issues ranging from forestalling nuclear terrorism to the latest status of the verification of atomic programmes in Iran and Libya.
  • Middle East: IAEA Head El-Baradei In Israel To Discuss Regional Nuclear Policy RFE/RL 07 Jul 2004 -- The head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog agency said today he is ready to discuss Israel's concerns about Iran's nuclear ambitions. Muhammad el-Baradei, who is in Israel on a three-day visit, held talks today with Israeli nuclear officials. El-Baradei has said he wants Israel to begin a dialogue to rid the Middle East of nuclear weapons, but will not force it to publicly reveal whether it has nuclear weapons. Israel's so-called "ambiguity policy" is to neither admit nor deny whether it has nuclear arms.
  • BLIX / DISARMAMENT VOA 30 Jun 2004 -- Former U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix wants the world's nuclear powers and other countries to adopt a treaty to ban the production of weapons-grade nuclear material and prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction. The Swede is chairing a meeting of the 15-nation WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction) Commission.
  • IAEA/NUCLEAR VOA 26 Jun 2004 -- The International Atomic Energy Agency, looking back on half a century of the non-military use of nuclear power, says, with the end of the cold war, the world is less susceptible nuclear dangers, such as those posed by the dangerous power plants, but faces a greater threat from internal sabotage.
  • UN nuclear watchdog draws attention to possible terrorist scenarios UN News Centre 02 Jun 2004 -- Highlighting the battle to prevent nuclear weaponry from falling into the hands of terrorists, the United Nations atomic watchdog agency is drawing attention to the role it can play in reinforcing national efforts to detect smuggling of nuclear material and equipment that could be used in crude explosive devices and so-called dirty bombs.
  • UN watchdog welcomes US plan to keep nuclear weapons out of terrorist hands UN News Centre 27 May 2004 -- Stepping up the battle to prevent nuclear weapons from falling into the clutches of terrorists, the United Nations atomic watchdog agency has welcomed a new United States plan to strengthen nuclear security around the world.
  • PRESS BRIEFING BY UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR MANAGEMENT ON UN FINANCIAL SITUATION United Nations 21 May 2004
  • U-N / TERRORISM RESOLUTION VOA 28 Apr 2004 -- The U-N Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution aimed at preventing terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction. Rhe measure requires all member nations to punish individuals dealing in nuclear, chemical or biological weapons technology or components.
  • U.S. Hails U.N. Resolution on Anti-Proliferation Washington File 28 Apr 2004 -- By adopting a resolution on weapons of mass destruction, the U.N. Security Council is responding appropriately to what all agree is a clear and present threat to global peace and security: the spread to terrorists and black marketeers of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and their means of delivery, U.S. Ambassador James Cunningham said April 28.
  • PRESS CONFERENCE BY MAYORS FOR PEACE ON NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT United Nations 28 Apr 2004
  • Security Council unanimously votes to keep WMDs out of terrorist hands UN News Centre 28 Apr 2004 -- The United Nations Security Council today unanimously approved a binding resolution criminalizing the acquisition of weapons of mass destruction by such private parties as terrorists and black marketers.
  • U-N / U-S / NON-PROLIFERATION VOA 27 Apr 2004 -- At a United Nations conference reviewing the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (N-P-T) Tuesday, the United States said loopholes in the treaty are creating a crisis. A U-S official told the conference at least four N-P-T member states have used the treaty as a cover for their efforts to develop nuclear weapons.
  • U.S. Seeks Better Enforcement of Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Washington File 27 Apr 2004 -- Emphasizing that there is a "crisis of noncompliance" with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), U.S. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security John Bolton said April 27 that the treaty's members "must resolve to deal firmly and swiftly with countries whose nuclear programs pose a serious threat" to the NPT regime.
  • U-N / ARMS / TERRORISTS VOA 27 Apr 2004 -- The United States is pushing for speedy passage of a U-N Security Council resolution aimed at preventing terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction. A vote on the measure could come as early as Wednesday.
  • U.S. Urges Adoption of Resolution on Weapons of Mass Destruction Washington File 23 Apr 2004 -- The U.S.-sponsored draft resolution on weapons of mass destruction (WMD) is the quickest way to stem the threat that terrorist groups will acquire the deadly weapons, U.S. Ambassador James Cunningham said April 22.
  • UN: Members Struggle With Nonproliferation Measure RFE/RL 23 Apr 2004 -- A U.S. initiative to block the spread of chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons to terrorist groups is facing tough scrutiny from UN member states concerned that the UN Security Council is trying to legislate on global arms control. States representing more than one-quarter of the UN membership spoke about the proposed nonproliferation resolution at an open debate yesterday in the council. They shared widespread concern about the transfer of weapons of mass destruction to nonstate actors, but some also called the U.S. resolution too intrusive.
  • Final preparatory session for nuclear treaty review set to start at UN Headquarters UN News Centre 22 Apr 2004 -- At a time when nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament face critical challenges, nearly 190 states will gather at United Nations Headquarters in New York next Monday for a two-week meeting to help prepare urgently needed measures to strengthen the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
  • Security Council to tackle draft resolution on spread of WMDs, President says UN News Centre 02 Apr 2004 -- The Security Council is poised this month to discuss a draft resolution dealing with the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) to non-State actors, the Ambassador of Germany, which holds the presidency of the 15-member body for April, said today.
  • UN/NON-PROLIFERATION VOA 24 Mar 2004 -- The United States has introduced a draft U-N Security Council resolution aimed at halting the spread of weapons of mass destruction to terrorists. The resolution attempts to close a loophole in current non-proliferation treaties, which affect only nations.
  • EGYPT / ELBARADEI VOA 24 Mar 2004 -- Head of the U-N nuclear watchdog agency has stopped in Egypt on his way to the Middle East to gather support for his agency's attempt to shut down the black market in nuclear technology. Other high-profile western visits to the region are taking place this week.
  • UN nuclear chief urges new rules to fight spread of weapons of mass destruction UN News Centre 19 Mar 2004 -- Declaring that nuclear proliferation is now "a different ball game" in which "either we all will win or everybody would lose," the head of the United Nations atomic watchdog agency has called for international cooperation to devise new rules to combat the spread of weapons of mass destruction.
  • IAEA/NUCLEAR VOA 10 Mar 2004 -- VOA 10 Mar 2004 -- A U-S official says Libya's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency sets a good example for Iran that is in breach of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
  • IAEA spokesman: IAEA proceeds towards clarifying nuclear black market`s secrets IRNA 09 Mar 2004 -- IAEA Spokesman Mark Gwozdecky told IRNA here on Monday that the IAEA has achieved new results in its pursuit of the roots of the black market for nuclear facilities and enriched uranium.
  • IAEA/LIBYA/IRAN VOA 06 Mar 2004 -- The International Atomic Energy Agency opens several days of top-level meetings Monday, and Iran and Libya will be high on the agenda. The agency's board of governors also is expected to discuss the nuclear technology network run by Pakistan's top nuclear scientist, Abdul Qadeer Khan.
  • PRESS BRIEFING BY UN LEGAL COUNSEL United Nations 04 Mar 2004
  • UN nuclear watchdog calls for tougher non-proliferation regime UN News Centre 12 Feb 2004 -- The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog agency today called for the urgent strengthening of the world's non-proliferation regime to ensure that nuclear materials and even weapons are not acquired by terrorists.
  • IAEA / PROLIFERATION VOA 12 Feb 2004 -- A day after President Bush called for tighter international regulations to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction, officials with the International Atomic Energy Agency say they need new powers to enforce any new rules.
  • Nuclear arms smuggling cases found so far 'just tip of iceberg' - UN watchdog UN News Centre 06 Feb 2004 -- Warning that cases of covert nuclear proliferation discovered so far are "just the tip of the iceberg," the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog agency has repeated his call for urgent action to reinforce the global security framework to shut down this black market.
  • UN nuclear watchdog calls for stronger security to fight proliferation UN News Centre 03 Feb 2004 -- The United Nations nuclear watchdog agency today reiterated its call for a "vital" upgrading of security to prevent nuclear technology from falling into the wrong hands through an emerging global network of sophisticated black marketeering in weapons technology.



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