U.S. President George W. Bush on Tuesday issued a statement reiterating his support for the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Forty years ago on this same date the United States joined 61 other nations in signing the NPT, which now has the support of almost all nations. Bush's statement was aimed at strengthening the United States' support for the Treaty, which he says “represents a key legal barrier to nuclear weapons proliferation and makes a critical contribution to international security.” “NPT Parties must take strong action to confront noncompliance with the Treaty in order to preserve and strengthen its nonproliferation undertakings. We cannot allow nations to violate their commitments and undermine the NPT's fundamental role in advancing international security,” Bush said. “The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), through its safeguards system, plays a vital role in supporting the Treaty by uncovering and reporting violations of nuclear safeguards. The United States is committed to ensuring the IAEA has the tools and access it needs to do its work, especially in support of universal adherence to the Additional Protocol,” the President added. Reaffirming the United States' continued compliance with the NPT, Bush also urged “all Parties to act promptly and effectively to meet these challenges and ensure that the Treaty remains an effective instrument of global security.” “Because of the nuclear reductions I have directed and the Moscow Treaty I signed with Russia, the U.S. nuclear weapon stockpile already has been reduced by half since I entered office and is at its smallest size since the 1950s,” Bush said. But, he made clear that “the United States supports the global expansion of peaceful nuclear energy as a means of meeting growing energy demand and utilizing this zero-emission source of energy to help meet the challenge of climate change. This expansion of nuclear energy must be safe, secure and not contribute to nuclear proliferation.” “It is essential in these times of great challenges to the security of the international community, particularly when terrorists and state sponsors of terrorism seek to acquire weapons of mass destruction, that NPT parties work together to confront the dangers of nuclear proliferation, " the President concluded.
