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The P-5 and Nuclear Nonproliferation
Title: The P-5 and Nuclear Nonproliferation
Author: Yury Belobrov, Sir Jeremy Greenstock, Li Chang-he, Thomas R. Pickering, Guillaume Schlumberger
Date: December 10, 2007.
Institution: Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
Bibliographic Entry: Belobrov,Yury, Sir Jeremy Greenstock, Li Chang-he, Thomas R. Pickering, Guillaume Schlumberger “The P-5 and Nuclear Nonproliferation.” December 10, 2007. CSIS. Accessed at: http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/071210-einhorn-the_p-5-web.pdf (January 7, 2008).
Electronic Link: http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/071210-einhorn-the_p-5-web.pdf
Key Words: P5, nuclear nonproliferation, NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty), nuclear terrorism, disarmament
Summary of Key Issues, Points, Conclusions:
In general, there is a growing perception that the overall nonproliferation regime may be in danger unless urgent steps are taken to shore it up. This report assesses the contribution the UN Security Council's permanent five (P-5) members—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—can make to preventing nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism, and it identifies areas where their concerted efforts could be especially useful. Because the P-5 countries, as the only Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) nuclear weapon states, bear special responsibilities in the nuclear area, and because nuclear weapons are in a class by themselves in terms of their destructiveness and their political and security implications, the report deals mainly with the role of the P-5 in addressing nuclear threats rather than WMDs broadly. The report is divided into two sections: observations about the past and current roles of the P5 countries, and suggestions on how the P5 could address the nuclear proliferation challenge in the future.
Although most nonproliferation successes over the years have been achieved outside the UNSC and outside the P5, the UNSC and P5 hold an extensive legal mandate and role in dealing with nonproliferation. In particular the P5 has roles which can add legitimacy to actions, apply sanctions and diplomacy, or be legislative in nature, imposing obligations on all UN members. In order for the P5 to be more effective, this report recommends elevating the priority of nonproliferation within the P5, creating a complementary relationship between the P5 and existing nonproliferation institutions and forums, bolstering support for the council’s actions, creating country-neutral rules, clarifying the legal status of the council’s actions, preparing more effective sanctioning tools, shoring up the NPT, and fulfilling their obligation to pursue disarmament.
Name of Researcher: Katie Stout
Institution: Integrative Center for Homeland Security, Texas A&M University
Date Posted: December 10, 2007