Syria Disarmament

Syria Disarmament

Syria in 2011

United States views on international law (based on the document “Digest of U.S. Practice in International Law”): On June 9, 2011, the IAEA Board of Governors adopted a resolution finding Syria in noncompliance with its international nuclear obligations. The IAEA concluded that Syria, with help from North Korea, had attempted to build a secret nuclear reactor capable of producing large amounts of nuclear weapons-usable plutonium with no apparent legitimate civilian purpose. The IAEA reported that Syria had refused to cooperate with its investigation into the nuclear reactor. A June 9 White House Statement, available at (internet link) whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/06/09/statement-press-secretary-iaea-board-governors-resolution-syria, welcomed the action, saying “Syria has stonewalled and obstructed the efforts of the IAEA to investigate the nuclear reactor for years, refusing to provide access to associated sites, personnel and documents in violation of Syria's freely-accepted legal obligations.” Secretary Clinton also issued a statement on June 9 on the IAEA resolution, available at (internet link) state.gov/secretary/rm/2011/06/165388.htm. Secretary Clinton's statement included the following condemnation of Syria's noncompliance:

The IAEA's latest report outlining the very likely construction of a covert nuclear reactor makes clear that Syria was violating its nonproliferation obligations. The report is also a troubling update of Syria's continued refusal to cooperate with the IAEA investigation and efforts to conceal the true purpose of the facility, which raise further serious concerns about Syria's compliance with its international obligations. Syria must fully cooperate with the IAEA by providing necessary access to all sites, items, and information related to the Dair Alzour investigation and allow the IAEA to verify that Syria is fully complying with its safeguards agreement.

Syria is challenging the authority of the IAEA and the integrity of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty regime. The only way Syria can demonstrate that it has come back into full compliance with the NPT is by cooperating with the IAEA and providing the necessary information and access.

Developments

The IAEA resolution referred Syria to the United Nations Security Council. On July 14, 2011, the Security Council met to address the resolution. Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations issued a statement on the Security Council's consultations on Syria's nuclear program, available at (internet link) usun.state.gov/briefing/statements/2011/168590.htm. Ambassador Rice urged Syria to uphold its IAEA Safeguards Agreement and fulfill its previous commitments to provide access for the IAEA to sites and information relevant to its investigation. She stated, “Syria's positive and prompt cooperation with the IAEA would be the best way to resolve outstanding questions about its nuclear program.”

Resources

See Also

  • Use Of Force
  • Arms Control
  • Disarmament
  • Nonproliferation
  • Nuclear Nonproliferation

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