nuclear terrorism position papers
Post on 14-Apr-2015
475 Views
Preview:
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
Committee: Security Council Topic: Nuclear Terrorism Country: Argentina
Delegate: Joycelyn Woo (joycelynwoo@hotmail.com); DGS
Nuclear terrorism is a reckless act of using nuclear weapons and/or radioactive material for
violent means with the intention of causing death, serious bodily injury, as well as
widespread damage to property and/or to the environment. Due to its destructive nature, it
is to be prevented at all costs and the cooperation of all nations is necessary in order for this
to be possible in the near future.
Argentina itself has had a brief history with the development of weapons of mass
destruction. Under the National Reorganization Process, a military dictatorship that ruled in
the 1970s, Argentina began a nuclear weapons program in the early 1980s. It was quickly
abolished when democracy was restored in 1983.
Argentina believes that the root of the problem of nuclear terrorism lies in the lack of effort
to authorize nuclear power and weapons for peaceful and authorized state use. Since the
start of democratic rule in 1983, Argentina has been active in non-proliferation efforts. On
February 10, 1995, Argentina acceded to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as a non-
nuclear weapon state. To this day, Argentina restrictedly uses nuclear power in non-military
roles only.
Argentina is also one of the 85 partners of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism
(GICNT), co-chaired by the United States and the Russian Federation; the aim of which is to
strengthen global capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to nuclear terrorism by
conducting multilateral activities that strengthen the plans, policies, procedures, and
interoperability of partner nations.
Argentina believes that only by fully removing such nuclear threats can nuclear terrorism be
eradicated. To achieve full disarmament of nuclear weaponry is the ultimate goal, but it is
only an ideal in a sense that it is hard to accomplish. In the meantime, nuclear weapon states
should seek ways to secure their fissionable materials and cease the proliferation of nuclear
weapons. Though they cannot directly eliminate the threat of nuclear terrorism, these
measures are stepping stones leading towards a world void of nuclear threats.
Public sharing and secrecy of nuclear possession is also a roadblock to our goal of achieving
nuclear nonproliferation. Argentina urges all nations be willing to admit the possession of
nuclear weapons or development of related plans and adhere to treaties that limit the
Committee: Security Council Topic: Nuclear Terrorism propagation of nuclear weapons. Only with a transparent approach about each country’s
possession of any radioactive or fissile material, will it be possible for such weapons to be
disposed of and safety to be restored. Argentina also suggests the nuclear weapon states to
construct a secure international network for the sharing of information regarding nuclear
terrorists as well as forming a neutral international task force aimed at combating nuclear
terrorism.
To conclude, Argentina strongly believes that nuclear disarmament is the best solution for
nuclear terrorism. However, it also acknowledges the implications of the immediate
eradication of all nuclear weapons. Hence, Argentina urges all nations, especially the nuclear
weapon states, to uphold their responsibility in preventing nuclear terrorism and work
towards a nuclear weapon-free world.
Committee: Security Council Topic: Nuclear Terrorism Country: People Republic of China
Delegate: Samantha Ip (140042@hkis.edu.hk), Benjamin Li (130848@hkis.edu.hk); HKIS
The People’s Republic of China, as a nuclear weapons-armed state, fully understands the
need to secure our stores of weapons and enriched uranium in order to prevent terrorist
groups from acquiring these resources. China believes that increased cooperation between
scientists in different nations, along with global safety guidelines, is the key to preventing
nuclear terrorism.
China currently possesses approximately 16 metric tons of highly enriched uranium, and 1.8
tons of weapons-grade plutonium. Production is no longer occurring, as all facilities
producing weapons-grade uranium and plutonium have been decommissioned. Currently,
low-level uranium enrichment is for civilian purposes (such as electricity production) only.
Highly enriched uranium has been used for research purposes, and has also been
incorporated into approximately 170 nuclear warheads, making China the original nuclear-
armed state with the smallest existing arsenal.
There are two components to the security of nuclear facilities: securing weapons-usable
fissile materials, and securing finished weapons. China’s Atomic Energy Authority is
currently engaging in active dialogue with the United States Energy Department and the
IAEA to exchange best practices. The Lab-to-Lab program of 1995-1998 allowed scientists in
the United States and China to share technical expertise, and significantly advanced China’s
nuclear safety practices. China’s nuclear facilities are also required to undergo periodic
testing regarding security; however, there is currently no set of international guidelines
regarding such testing.
The People’s Republic of China proposes a multifaceted solution to preventing nuclear
terrorism. Firstly, uniform rules must be established to quantify the “effective” safety
guidelines mentioned under UN Security Council Resolution 1540, which bindingly commits
member states to preventing non-state groups from acquiring nuclear material. These rules
must address security of intact nuclear warheads, fissile material storage upgrades, reporting
of security breaches, and cooperation with nations that do not currently collaborate with the
IAEA, under an international forum specifically addressing nuclear terrorism.
Secondly, in order to prevent corruption and encourage investment into safety measures,
member nations should provide rewards (financial or otherwise) to operators of nuclear
facilities who upgrade their facilities in compliance with the aforementioned guidelines.
Inspections can be facilitated by the IAEA, however nations should still have the flexibility to
pursue their nuclear programs with flexibility and an appreciable level of secrecy.
Finally, programs similar to the Lab-to-Lab initiative between China and the United States
should be established worldwide. These programs are not only useful for developing safety
Committee: Security Council Topic: Nuclear Terrorism measures, but also for developing new ways to convert highly enriched uranium to low-grade
uranium, and use this safer form of nuclear fissile material for electricity generation and
other civilian uses.
The People’s Republic of China hopes that the Security Council can come to a consensus
regarding the delicate balance between security and sharing of information, in order to best
protect the global community against nuclear terrorism.
Committee: Security Council Topic: Nuclear Terrorism Country: French Republic
Delegate: Brian Wong (brian.ys.wong@online.island.edu.hk); Island School
Positioned on the verge of a new technological era, the French Republic acknowledges the
future as a double-edged sword: whilst technology certainly has its benefits; it may also
result in catastrophic consequences, such as nuclear terrorism and warfare. The only
solution to issues of such nature, as viewed by the French Republic, is via close collaboration
between the United Nations and regional bodies.
A “dirty bomb” that can detonate to obliterate hundreds of lives and cast death on thousands
over millennia to come; a nuclear missile that can wipe out the populations of entire cities
and jeopardize the stabilities of countries and continents… – it is high time for the United
Nations to agree with France that nuclear terrorism is a crisis of the present. Attempts and
claims from terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda and Northern Caucasian extremists to include
nuclear energy in their arsenals have been proliferate and far too frequent. Bin Laden even
conceded that the acquisition of nuclear weapons was a “religious duty”. The vested
intentions of such radical groups are made even more treacherous by the fact that there have
been 18 incidences of theft and loss of highly enriched uranium and plutonium confirmed by
the IAEA, in addition to numerous infiltrations of allegedly well-guarded nuclear facilities in
South Africa and Pakistan. It is such slovenly and poor regulations, as well as the lack of legal
framework for deterrence, prosecution, and inter-state collaboration that have led to the
loopholes and gaps through which terrorists can infiltrate our systems and retrieve our
resources – via corrupt channels and officials.
As an active member of the IAEA and sponsor of the 2002 resolution “Measures to prevent
terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction”, the French Republic is party to 13
conventions related to counter-terrorism, including the 2005 International Convention for
the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism. The French Republic encourages efficient
national guidelines to ascertain the security of storage and handling of sensitive materials,
which is why it supports the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material
(CPPNM). Even within the nation itself, the French Republic operated closely with the IAEA
in identifying and securing “orphan” radioactive sources in Georgia, as well as removing
potentially exploitable radioactive elements in Cote d’Ivoire, in compliance with its
overarching strategy for safe, systematic, and rigorously monitored experimentation with
radioactive materials. The French Republic is very content to declare its relative success in
controlling the usage of radioactive substances.
Committee: Security Council Topic: Nuclear Terrorism Our honorable former President Sarkozy once commented, “France will not and does not
approve of the outcome and idea of banning nuclear weapons completely.” The French
Republic views the complete removal of nuclear weapons as a jeopardisation of its national
security, as well as other nations’. With this in mind, the French Republic recommends
sensitive export control, which can lower the risk of terrorists’ accessing materials, facilities,
and technology that can further the synthesis of weapons of mass destruction. The French
Republic also advocates for the universalisation of conventions and standards, and increased
legal crackdown on non-state usage of nuclear weapons. The French Republic sides with the
US in that both nations will push for increasingly rigorous enforcement of laws on private
entities.
Committee: Security Council Topic: Nuclear Terrorism Country: Germany
Delegate: Monica Wadekar (monica.wadekar@yahoo.com); FIS
Over the past few years, nuclear terrorism has increasingly become an international
threat and yet is not taken seriously by many nations. The materials in order to make nuclear
bombs are accessible and it is not difficult for terrorist groups to access instruction for
building these bombs. Therefore, for these terrorist groups, the main obstacle would be to
acquire materials such as plutonium or uranium in order to create the bombs. Germany feels
that steps need to be taken in order to prevent access to these materials before use of nuclear
weapons escalates for as Angela Merkel stated, “It is a question of the perception of the
threat and of a culture of security which is not yet established in the public arena”
In cooperation with the United Nations, Germany has already participated in
movements to limit access to these materials, and to limit proliferation of nuclear
weapons. Though it is in possession of nuclear weapons via the United States of America
under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Germany has signed the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty and in addition, is a participant of the Nuclear Suppliers
Group, which governs the export of materials designed for nuclear use. Furthermore,
Germany has announced support of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA)
plan of protection for nuclear materials and facilities. In addition, following the
Fukushima Crisis, Germany has announced the decision to shut down all nuclear power
stations in Germany by 2021, seven of which have already been shut down. In addition
several (over 15) years ago, Germany made contributions to the Nuclear Security Fund
(NSF) as part of the G8 Global Partnership in order to aid Russia Federation and the
Newly Independent States manage their nuclear and other radioactive materials.
Germany feels that the United Nations should take measures against the acquisition
of nuclear materials through strict monitoring of both imports and exports of materials
possibly used for nuclear purposes. Any materials that could be used for nuclear
purposes should be documented and kept track of. Germany also feels that although
there are already nations with nuclear power, no new nuclear states should be created in
order to best monitor fissile materials and decrease chances of terrorism. Furthermore,
all existing nuclear material should be strictly secured and any nuclear facilities heavily
guarded. Not only do facilities need to be guarded, but also any nuclear material in
transit should be monitored. If these materials are not guarded and kept track of, it will
be impossible to know of any fissile material that goes missing, and as less 18 pounds of
plutonium or 55 pounds of highly enriched uranium are necessary to make a nuclear
Committee: Security Council Topic: Nuclear Terrorism
bomb, monitoring of these materials is crucial. If terrorist groups cannot access material
to create nuclear weapons, the threat of nuclear terrorism is minimal, thus Germany
feels that monitoring of fissile material is key in preventing nuclear attacks. Germany is
strictly against the creation of a new nuclear state, as this would augment the risk of
nuclear terrorism. Germany suggests the possible creation of a new United Nations
Committee whose purpose will be to strictly monitor all nuclear plants in addition to any
materials either stationary, or in transport that could lead be used for nuclear weapons
and/ or nuclear energy. By doing so, Germany hopes to ensure that terrorists do not
have access to nuclear material, and if access to these materials is limited, the threat
should diminish.
Committee: Security Council Topic: Nuclear Terrorism Country: Israel
Delegate: Matthew Tam (wiseyoungmat@hotmail.com); CIS
The issue of nuclear terrorism is one of extreme importance to Israel both as a theoretical
and realistic horror. Although the Israeli government is actively against terrorism, it fears
that terrorism with the aid of nuclear armaments can create a potentially much direr
situation in which resistance would be difficult. The Israeli delegation is concerned over the
risk of nuclear terrorism in two main ways, depending on the entity possessing nuclear arms
that intends to utilize such arms for terrorism. It does, however, wish to direct the main
focus of the debate specifically to the context of terrorist, radical groups.
When defining terrorism as the use of terror to achieve political aims, one finds that
nuclear terror is not limited to the use of nuclear armaments by terrorists, but also
encompasses the use of nuclear armaments by legitimate and recognized states to inflict
terror in order to achieve a political aim. Thus, it is important for states known for and have
admitted to the possession of nuclear armaments to head towards nuclear non-proliferation,
and to express their goodwill through signing and ratifying the Treaty on the Non-
Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). The Israeli delegation is primarily concerned over
the possession of nuclear arms in the case of Iran, which has in the past threatened the
Israeli government of an attack precisely to inflict terror in Israel, and the Democratic
People’s Republic of Korea, which officially recognizes neither Israel’s statehood nor its right
to sovereignty, and further did not sign the NPT. To this end, the Israeli delegation wishes to
express its disgust over any state’s practice of inflicting terror in another state through
nuclear armaments, all the while maintaining the fact that Israel does not possess nuclear
armaments of any kind, and that the only nuclear developments in its borders are confined
to the area of atomic energy.
The delegation of Israel strongly believes that a greater potential threat lies in the
possession of nuclear arms by radical extremists conventionally labelled “terrorists”. Nuclear
terrorism is far more dangerous here as the underlying guarantee of Mutually Assured
Destruction when dealing with radicals in possession of weapons of mass destruction,
especially nuclear weapons, cannot be applied: realistic examples of suicide bombings and
the nature of operation of a cell-based terrorist organization itself means that while anti-
terrorist activities can hinder the operation of terrorists greatly, and the Israeli government
has been doing so in the past years against the Hamas and other terrorist organizations,
against a terrorist with a large-scale and operational nuclear weapon there is no guarantee
that he will not use such armaments. A terrorist with access to nuclear armaments is
potentially much more harmful than a state with an arsenal of nuclear armaments. While
nuclear armament production remains a difficult and expensive project and the protection of
Committee: Security Council Topic: Nuclear Terrorism nuclear armaments and materials are generally done meticulously in states, it is theoretically
still possible for terrorists to get hold of radioactive materials, as seen in the case of dirty
bombs. Although such bombs are, as of now, harmful more psychologically than physically,
they do serve as a reminder that as developments continue in the nuclear industry, the fears
may well become true. Thus it is as important to protect the current nuclear armaments from
falling into the wrong hands, as it is to prevent the development of such armaments by
terrorist organizations. At the same time the international community should be wary of
developments that can make the construction of nuclear weaponry less difficult and more
accessible.
Committee: Security Council Topic: Nuclear Terrorism Country: Pakistan
Delegate: Chris Crabbe (101brains@gmail.com); WIS
The Islamic Republic of Pakistan realizes that we live in an era where protection against
terrorist activities continues to be of the highest priority to national security and that the
greatest our concern is the proliferation of nuclear armaments and fissile materials to
extremist organisations within our territory. Thus it in our interests to encourage nuclear
arms control and nonproliferation throughout, not only our region but internationally. We
are deeply concerned regarding the issue of nuclear terrorism within our own region as
Pakistan faces the ever present threat of extremist forces, such as those linked with Al-
Qaeda, infiltrating our nuclear stockpiles in order to steal valuable technology and materials,
to further their hostile agendas. Since developing nuclear capabilities over two decades ago,
we have continued to take steps in order to increases the physical security of our nuclear
technology and have taken an active role in securing against the proliferation of nuclear,
armaments, materials and technology.
Since 2000 we have worked tirelessly with other member states, such as the United States of
America, in order to improve our security against outside extremist forces. We have also
have helped to establish control systems within our nation, through founding the National
Command Authority (or NCA) which monitors the use and organization of nuclear weapons.
The United States has also collaborated with our armed forces in carrying out operations to
eliminate known Al-Qaeda operatives, which have only helped to increase security within the
region at large. By carrying out these joint operations we have drastically decreased the
possibility of our own nuclear armaments coming under threat. Thus we can assure other
member states that we are capable of the safety of our nuclear facilities.
Pakistan believes that through working with the Security Council in order to strengthen
nuclear security and the physical safety of nuclear arms and personnel, we can begin to curb
the threat of nuclear proliferation within Pakistan and the surrounding South Asian region.
Committee: Security Council Topic: Nuclear Terrorism
Country: The Russian Federation
Delegate: Justin Lee (justinlee.tasman@gmail.com); LPCUWC
As to date, nuclear terrorism occupies the top of the pyramid of deadly threats for the
international community. The attempts of extremist groups such as the Chechen rebels and
Al-Qaeda to acquire nuclear weapons and material in the past decades, poise a serious
menace for the global stability, and the lives of thousands of civilians. The Russian
Federation reaffirms that it is of outmost importance that the Security Council establishes
effective measures to counter acts of nuclear terrorism, which could threaten global peace
and security and cause irreparable damage to the environment.
The Russian Federation has experienced the perils of nuclear terrorism. To date, the
only confirmed case of attempted nuclear terrorism occurred in Russia on November 23,
1995, when Chechen separatists put a crude bomb containing 70 pounds of a mixture of
cesium-137 and dynamite in Moscow’s Ismailovsky Park. Among international terrorists,
Chechen rebels have achieved a reputation for extreme ruthlessness, including torture,
executions, and beheadings. For this reason, we are convinced that lasting stability and
security can only be secured once the possibility of nuclear terrorist attacks is ruled out not
only in Russia, but also in the international community. The Russian Federation, as the main
proposer of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism,
reaffirms its initiative to address such a crucial problem, and urges the international
community to ratify the convention, and take further actions to prevent terrorist groups from
getting hold of nuclear weapons.
For the Russian Federation, the most important challenge in this issue is to prevent
terrorists from obtaining a nuclear weapon or material from which a weapon could be made.
National security experts agree that the most likely way terrorists will obtain a nuclear bomb
will involve not theft or purchase of a fully operational device, but purchase of fissile material
from which they construct their own. Terrorists would find it easiest to steal fissile material
because it is smaller, lighter, more abundant, and less protected than the weapons
themselves. In addition to this, the secrecy of nuclear programs in different countries also
means that the security of fissile material is not granted. Thus, no registration and control of
nuclear centers and programs leaves a huge loophole for terrorist groups to obtain such
weapons.
Committee: Security Council Topic: Nuclear Terrorism
In order to confront the acknowledged issues, the Russian Federation relies on
international cooperation with the IAEA and the Security Council to strengthen the global
alliance against nuclear terrorism, by ratifying the International Convention for the
Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism. Furthermore, as one of the main signatories of the
Non Proliferation Treaty, we strongly believe in the regulation of nuclear programs with the
supervision of the IAEA, which will aim to ensure international security regarding nuclear
materials and a shut down of the nuclear black market. The Russian Federation also calls
upon the Security Council and all the United Nations organs responsible for the impartation
of justice, to prosecute the war on terrorism to eliminate those who attempt to conduct
nuclear attacks.
In conclusion, the Russian Federation reaffirms the importance of international
performance on designing programs to support transparency in nuclear research and
development. The Russian Federation believes that keeping nuclear weapons and materials
out of the hands of the world’s most dangerous people is a challenge to international will and
determination, not to our technical capabilities. By creating stronger bonds between nations,
cooperating with the UN agencies, and complying with the nuclear energy conventions, the
Russian Federation hopes to achieve global stability in the near future. Russia looks forward
to designing a convention aimed at combating new and dangerous manifestations of
terrorism, stimulating the adoption of effective preventive measures in that sphere, and
establishing a reliable international legal mechanism for cooperation at all stages of
combating nuclear terrorism. The Russian Federation is ready to lead such a convention, and
cautions the Security Council that failing to reach an agreement would send the wrong signal
to the terrorist groups.
Committee: Security Council Topic: Nuclear Terrorism Country: South Africa
Delegate: Christopher Au (christopher_au@student.aishk.edu.hk); AIS
Since its invention in the 1930’s, the issue of nuclear weapons in our society have continued
to be a major concern, having the potential to develop widespread conflict and unrest
between many countries. Incidents such as the bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945
have shown firsthand, how devastating the use of Nuclear weapons can be towards the long
term futures of human health and the state of the surrounding environment.
South Africa believes that the issue of nuclear terrorism applies to all forms of developments,
theft and/ or uses of nuclear resources that are against the current laws and treaties issued
by the United Nations. These treaties being mainly the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of
Nuclear Weapons which South Africa is proudly a member, since 1991.
South Africa believes that the main root of the issue of nuclear terrorism stems from three
critical problems. These three problems are the lack of an effective and strict legal framework
to prosecute individuals who commit nuclear terrorism, lack of inspections by the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) due to restrictions and also inadequate safety
measures currently used to protect nuclear devices. South Africa believes that solving these
three issues will eliminate all issues of nuclear terrorism.
South Africa being one out of the nine nuclear-armed states has effectively abolished all
nuclear weapons present within the country. Since 1991, the nuclear weapons program in
South Africa known as the Atomic Energy Corporation (AEC) has been shut down with all 6
nuclear weapons being disposed of.
Currently South Africa is aggressively promoting the disposal of all nuclear weapons, being a
key member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and also playing a leading role in the
establishment of the African Nuclear Weapons Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba). The
main governing body of the Treaty of Pelindaba, known as the ‘African Commission on
Nuclear Energy’ is currently established in South Africa.
Being a nuclear free country, South Africa believes that effective communication and
cooperation between nuclear-armed states and the IAEA is the key to solving this issue.
Effective cooperation will ensure that the current restrictions by member states towards the
inspections by the IAEA will be removed.
As a result the IAEA can gather critical information on the security systems of current
nuclear facilities. This would help prevent possible physical attacks or cyber attacks from
terrorist organisations such as Al Qaeda.
Another improvement to this current issue would be to combine all conventions, treaties and
initiatives on the issue of nuclear terrorism into a single organisation. This would greatly
Committee: Security Council Topic: Nuclear Terrorism increase the productivity in efforts to combat these issues, as there would be less duplication
of effort and financing.
South Africa would like to express its appreciation towards all member states in their efforts
to help combat the issue of nuclear terrorism and hopes that the issue will be resolved as
soon as possible at the next United Nations Security Council to ensure global peace and
security.
Committee: Security Council Topic: Nuclear Terrorism Country: The Republic of Turkey
Delegate: Kevin Chen (ckeviny@gmail.com); Yew Chung International School
In the past, three attacks have been done by terrorists on nuclear military bases of Pakistan,
but all the attacks have failed and nothing was stolen. All the intruders have been killed or
captured successfully, nonetheless, the Republic of Turkey believes measures need to be in
place to prevent any repeat of these cases. As well as that, the target for the terrorists were
the American planes. The Republic of Turkey believes that this is a planned attack from the
Taliban for vengeance purposes and not the thieving of nuclear weapons the United States of
America is suggesting. The Republic of Turkey therefore believes that the terrorist attacks on
Pakistan military bases would stop once the United States removes all its weapons and
property off Pakistani soil.
The Republic of Turkey believes that the attacks conducted by the terrorists may not
be done because of the nuclear technology, nor do we believe the assumption of the terrorists
wanting to use nuclear weaponry. To think about it, there is no reason why a terrorist group
would want to cause mass destruction by the means of a nuclear weapon. Most terrorist
actions are irrational but they will still not risk the end of the world. Nonetheless, it is a
problem that has to be resolved. This is why the Republic of Turkey believes that according
to article 2 of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism,
any person or group that possesses radioactive material with the intent to cause harm will be
seen as an act of nuclear terrorism and therefore the Republic of Turkey
However, the Republic of Turkey recognizes the right of every country, unless as
declared by this Council’s Resolutions and the international laws, to use nuclear technology
in for civil purposes in peaceful means, such as electrical power production; the Republic of
Turkey stands that this right shall not be deprived of member states, unless they have
seriously and clearly breached International Peace and Security or any International Law or
any Resolution of this Council with regards to International Peace and Security.
The Republic of Turkey has seen past actions by the United Nations by setting up the
non-nuclear prohibition treaty, however, not much action was done after that was set up.
This problem was ignored for some time, until terrorists attacked the Pakistani nuclear
military air base terrorist base three times.
The Republic of Turkey recognizes the lack of military defenses in Pakistan and calls
upon the United Nations and more economically developed countries to provide assistance
Committee: Security Council Topic: Nuclear Terrorism to if requested by Pakistan by providing their country with the troops and arms required to
defend its facilities.
The Republic of Turkey calls upon all member states under provisions of Chapter VI
of the Charter of the United Nations and Resolution 1874 of this Council, to inspect, in
accordance with their national authorities and legislation, and consistent with international
law, unauthorized nuclear materials and any arms with the exception of light arms thereof,
that are in the process of being transported to DPRK, or are in their possession, in the extent
of their national territory and international territory.
Committee: Security Council Topic: Nuclear Terrorism Country: Uganda
Delegate: Sammy Tsui (meitsuisammy0319@gmail.com); Heep Yunn
The delegate of Uganda recognises that nuclear terrorism is a rising crisis in the
world. Nuclear terrorism refers to terrorist attacks which utilise nuclear or radiological
weapons and sadly we see nuclear proliferation.
The delegate of Uganda would like to state clearly that, Uganda is against any forms
of nuclear terrorisms.
Nuclear weapons are explosive and dangerous to use. Resulting from the fission of
nucleus, it is powerful and the release of radioactive chemicals causes chronic and
permanent suffering to a person. Nuclear weapons do not construct, but they destruct. They
cause tremendous harm and impairment to humans’ central nervous system, rendering
humans unhealthy and decelerating humans’ reaction. With the increased number of nuclear
weapons and attacks, numerous cases of deaths and casualties are caused and the delegate of
Uganda assures that it is against the ongoing peacekeeping effort.
Moreover, the utilization of nuclear weapons wastes nuclear resources, though
abundant. Confronting with the shortage of fossil fuels, nuclear resources can be more
effectively used if they are used to develop alternative energy sources so as to alleviate
current energy crisis. As one of the alternative energy sources, nuclear power is abundant,
has a high yield of energy and cheap in long run and is ideal for energy usage, instead of for
military usage. Using nuclear weapons will only sacrifice innocent lives, obstructing the
world from seeking peace.
Besides, nuclear weapons produce water and air pollutants, which will intensify
global warming and shortage of water, stirring up vigorous conflicts and fierce competition.
The delegate of Uganda believes that nobody would like to see that as the human basic needs
are endangered and challenged.
Should the nuclear resources be used as an alternative source of energy, not only is
the world energy crisis alleviated, but also people can benefit from the use of nuclear energy
such as constructing and planning, since it is mentioned that nuclear power is renewable.
Consequently, the delegate of Uganda is in favour of the usage of nuclear power as it
generates huge amount of energy which favours the development of Uganda. We believe
firmly, that if nuclear power is used to generate energy instead of militarily used, the world
will be a much safer place to live.
Committee: Security Council Topic: Nuclear Terrorism Country: United Kingdom
Delegate: Nathaniel Norman (norman1@rchk.edu.hk); RCHK
The United Kingdom acknowledges nuclear terrorism as one of the largest threats to
international security and peace. Nuclear non-proliferation, the safeguarding of fissionable
materials and especially nuclear weapons, and the transparency of governments in regards to
their nuclear programs are of utmost importance. The vitality of nuclear disarmament and
prevention of nuclear armament of non-transparent and unstable governments cannot be
stressed enough.
Leaders of the United Kingdom’s government have taken an active role in preventing nuclear
terrorism in both the Washington Nuclear Security Summit in 2010 and the Seoul Nuclear
Security Summit in 2012.
Nuclear detection technology should not be underutilized in the efforts of the United Nations,
IAEA, and other governmental bodies in the tracking, detection, and prevention of nuclear
terrorism.
The government of the United Kingdom recognizes with gratitude the role NATO has played
in fighting terrorism internationally. This government supports the use of similar tactics by
the United Nations to combat organizations with reasonable who pose a threat of nuclear
terrorism.
The government of the United Kingdom would support requirements for the protection of
nuclear weapons, nuclear sites, and fissionable materials in order to minimize the ease and
thus the ability of terrorist organizations from attaining fissionable materials.
It is the strong desire of the United Kingdom to work with almost any nation seeking to
eliminate the threat of nuclear terrorism.
Committee: Security Council Topic: Nuclear Terrorism Country: Ukraine
Delegate: Jonathan Wong (13wongjy1@kgv.hk); KGV
Ever since the birth of nuclear armaments and their subsequent use in the bombing of
Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end World War II, arms races came and went, and the threat of a
nuclear war became a major concern that had echoed throughout much of the latter half of
the twentieth century. Numerous efforts and negotiations have taken place in order to inhibit
further progress in the development and testing of nuclear weapons, such as the Nuclear
non-Proliferation Treaty. Whilst this has been largely successful, the threat of nuclear
armaments continue to exist in the form of the nuclear terrorism - the utilization of nuclear
weapons by terrorist groups in order to make threats within the international community
and disrupt international peace and security.
Up till 1991, the Ukrainian republic was the hub for the nuclear arsenals of the Soviet Union
and upon its dissolution; our nation became the world’s third largest nuclear weapons
operator. Despite the right to legal possession of such weaponry, our government adopted
the resolution on the Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Weapons in 1991 and
the Lisbon Protocol to the Treaty of May 23, 1992. Subsequently, our government signed the
Trilateral Statement by the Presidents of Ukraine, Russia, and the United States on January
14, 1994 in which all nuclear weapons on our territory were destroyed. Thereafter, we
acceded to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT) and have not had any involvement
regarding nuclear technology as of the present.
Actions so far to control the use of nuclear weapons have included the NPT, the purpose of
which is to control the development, use, and spread of nuclear weapons between member
states. Other treaties are also in place. However as mentioned, these do not cover the
potential threat posed by non-government sanctioned groups. The Ukraine believes, that in
order to address this issue, the following, but not limited to, should be implemented:
1. If states cannot guarantee control over their weapons, or have bodies that won’t subvert to
bribery or corruption, then they should not possess nuclear weapons and either surrender
them for destruction or have them removed.
2. If states wish to continue to possess nuclear weapons, they must make their inventory
publicly available, and grant the United Nations Security Council power to oversee and
overrule their nuclear operations should it be deemed appropriate.
The Ukraine believes that these two points are rudimentary for a realistic yet nuanced
approached to resolving this current problem.
Whilst the problem regarding nuclear terrorism will doubtless never recede, as a nation that
prides itself in responsibility, Ukraine would greatly support any motions favoring the
monitoring and control of nuclear armaments, and look forward with working with member
Committee: Security Council Topic: Nuclear Terrorism states in resolving this issue.
Committee: Security Council Topic: Nuclear Terrorism Country: United States
Delegate: Caitlin Fischer (6602@student.gsis.edu.hk), Elliot Chen
(6358@student.gsis.edu.hk); GSIS
The issue of nuclear terrorism is one with significant implications for the global community.
With rising accessibility to the technology needed to create nuclear weapons with the
capacity to cause significant harm to large groups of people, the threat of terrorist
organizations utilizing such technology is rising accordingly. Thus, we can see that we are
increasingly being pressed to create an internationally acceptable global framework to deal
with these terrorism related issues that are accompanying our general shift towards a society
in which access to resources pertaining to these industries become more readily available.
The delegation of the United States of America hopes to be able to collaborate with the other
member states to create a globally acceptable resolution regarding this matter.
Many initiatives have been undertaken by the United States in the past to combat both
‘conventional’ terrorism, as well as the threat of nuclear terrorism. In April 2010, the
president of the United States, Barack Obama, hosted the first summit on nuclear terrorism
(the Washington Nuclear Security Summit) along with global leaders representing 50
countries. This succeeded in establishing that the general consensus among nations was that
nuclear terrorism is indeed an upcoming significant threat, as well as establishing an aim to
lock down access to vulnerable materials within four years. Ultimately, this summit
culminated in countries agreeing to undertake several commitments in order to safeguard
access to materials with the capacity to aid the creation of nuclear weaponry for use by
terrorist organizations. However, a generally accepted framework for the reduction of the use
of highly enriched uranium in civil projects was not decided upon, and hence, while several
global leaders agreed to reduce or even entirely halt the use of highly enriched uranium, the
issue of this dangerous material still being in a vulnerable position remains at large. Other
actions and schemes have also been embarked upon by the United States, including, for
example, the increased regulation and monitoring of United States Enrichment Corporation,
a Kentucky based United States firm operating to enrich uranium for civilian usage, in
particular for usage by commercial nuclear power plants. This has allowed the plant to even
reprocess bomb grade uranium from dismantled Russian nuclear warheads into uranium
suitable for use in nuclear power plants. On a more domestic scale, the United States has also
established protocol for rescue services and medical personnel detailing the procedures that
should be followed in the event of the detonation of a small-scale nuclear bomb, as well as
procedural drills involving simulated ‘dirty bombs’, with particular focus on the nature of
terrorist acts at present and its link to dirty bombs.
Committee: Security Council Topic: Nuclear Terrorism On a more global scale, the United States has been an integral part of the international effort
against nuclear terrorism. Aside from prompting much of the international discussion
regarding this issue, the United States has also been a driving force behind many of the
global committees that pertain to this issue. In particular, attention should be drawn to the
International Atomic Energy Agency, an agency that the United States both participates in as
well as contributes to financially. In 2002, the agency passed its first antinuclear terrorism
act, deciding upon an initial plan to upgrade worldwide defenses that could act as an
effective system for the reduction of the risk of nuclear terrorism. This act, at its core,
promotes physical protection of centers involving the enrichment, treatment, processing and
utilization of radioactive materials with potential destructive uses. The United States is also a
key supporter of the global organization known as the Nuclear Threat Initiative, a
nonpartisan organization that has had a great deal of success thus far in reducing the spread
of the risk of usage of nuclear weapons, as well as in biochemical weaponry. Apart from
being intrinsically linked with a related infant organization, the ‘World Institute for Nuclear
Security’, the Nuclear Threat Initiative has had success in pressing for increased security,
and has established an international nuclear fuel bank, allowing countries access to nuclear
materials for the peaceful use of nuclear energy without the creation of proliferation threats.
Aside from this, the United States has also lent its support to many UN sanctioned appeals
for the protection of nations against the threat of nuclear terrorism, including having signed
the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, as well as having been an active
participant in United Nations discussions and committees regarding the internationally
recognized threat.
In the present situation, the United States sees a number of threats from nations and groups
with the intent to exploit possessed highly enriched uranium to cause potential harm.
Although enriched uranium is said to contain only 2-3% uranium㬀235, highly enriched
uranium contains anywhere above 20 uranium㬀235. Aside from posing a far greater
nuclear hazard when utilized in civilian situations, highly enriched uranium also passes into
the threshold of being considered as weapon usable uranium. Highly enriched uranium is
also not necessitated in situations intended only for civilian use: regular enriched uranium
suffices in these situations. Thus, it is evident that the continued usage of such highly
enriched uranium, aside from not being a necessity, also has the potential to cause
significant harms to humanity. Countries such as Iran, Israel and Pakistan, who are known
to possess highly enriched uranium and the capacity to continue to produce more, thus have
the potential to endanger the global community by opening up possibilities for nuclear
terrorism on a more dangerous scale than using regular enriched uranium would facilitate.
To illustrate this point further, a more recently discussed example can be visited. Under the
Committee: Security Council Topic: Nuclear Terrorism Qaddafi regime in Libya, large quantities of uranium was enriched in the process of
researching the development of weapons of mass destruction, though the regime agreed to
dismantle research following mounting international economic pressure and sanctions. The
process of dismantlement was cut short by the civil war, leaving stores of possibly
unprotected uranium yellowcake in the south of the country, a danger to the global
community, due to unprotected nuclear material in a politically unstable country. The lack of
transparency surrounding nuclear activities for alleged civilian usage is also an issue that
should be considered: without this clarity, much discussion of methods of prevention of
nuclear terrorism tends to be halted due to the potential misunderstandings that could be
being developed in these clouded situations. This has proven to be the case in both Iran and
in North Korea, where the apparent secrecy obscuring their projects has in the past and
continues to hinder productive discussions regarding these nations’ nuclear technologies.
The delegation of the United States fully believes that through cooperation, an effective
global framework for defense against nuclear terrorism can be established. The key factor in
this would be the unification of the current efforts to combat nuclear terrorism, particularly
as the status quo means that both funding and international support is presently spread out
in such a manner that ultimately hinders the effectiveness of these organizations. This would
also be beneficial to the establishment of a global system with which to monitor large-scale
activity involving radioactive materials spanning the globe, with particular focus on those
using fissionable materials. Greater transparency with regards to such activities is also
something that this delegation calls for, as this would ensure that no member states are
actively breaching any terms set forth in international regulatory acts, as well as promoting a
reduction in the potential for governments to be accused of such acts. In addition, as the
private sector begins to play a comparatively small yet increasingly important role in the
production and such materials, the United States advocates specific parameters to be
determined with regards to how participants in this industry should be able to act. Lastly,
this delegations calls for the strengthening of current treaties and resolutions calling for
cohesive global actions against nuclear terrorism, and urges for countries that have yet to
join such acts to do so with due agility. In summation, it is evident that nuclear terrorism is
an ever-looming threat, and, due to the global implications of the issue, a collusive global
effort is the only way to effectively minimize the risks posed to nations. The delegation of the
United States sincerely hopes to discuss the problems mentioned above, and looks forward
to being able to contribute to an effective resolution on the topic.
top related