Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Only A Few Years Late - U.N. Bans WMD Sales to Terrorists
NewsMax ^ | 4/29/04 | Carl Limbacher

Posted on 04/29/2004 9:08:38 AM PDT by pookie18

The U.N. Security Council has put terrorists, black marketeers and crooked scientists on notice that they face punishment for trafficking in weapons of mass destruction.

Seven months after President Bush called for U.N. action, the council voted unanimously Wednesday to close a loophole that allowed would-be proliferators to get nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.

International treaties now target weapons proliferation by governments - but there are no laws to prevent "non-state actors" such as terrorists, black marketeers and unscrupulous individuals and private companies from obtaining such weapons.

The resolution adopted Wednesday by the council requires all 191 U.N. member states to pass laws to prevent "non-state actors" from manufacturing, acquiring or trafficking in nuclear, biological or chemical weapons, the materials to make them, and the missiles and other systems to deliver them.

Bush called the measure an "important achievement" and urged all countries to implement it.

"We must continue to press these efforts to ensure that the world's most destructive weapons are kept from the world's most dangerous regimes and organizations," he said in a statement issued by the White House Wednesday night.

U.S. deputy ambassador James Cunningham said the resolution fulfills Bush's three goals: it criminalizes the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, requires all countries to have strong export controls, and demands that countries protect sensitive materials that can be used in weapons production.

The United States stands ready, along with other countries, to assist nations that need technical assistance to meet the resolution's requirements, he said.

All countries are required to submit a report within 90 days on the measures they are taking to implement the resolution to a committee created by the resolution.

The measure was adopted under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter, which allows the council to impose sanctions or use force. But it makes clear that there will be no unilateral action by any country, stating that the council intends "to monitor closely the implementation" and take any further measures at a later time, which diplomats said would require a new resolution.

The Non-Aligned Movement, representing 116 mostly developing nations, strongly opposed the reference to Chapter VII, as did other countries, but Cunningham said the United States decided to keep it in because the resolution addresses "a threat to international peace and security."

Pakistan, a nuclear power and member of the movement, also objected to the whole idea of having the Security Council become involved in legislating - a concern of many other countries as well.

Until Wednesday morning, its support for the resolution was in doubt but at the last minute, it voted "yes."

Pakistan admitted in February that its leading nuclear scientist, Abdul Qadeer Khan, passed technology to Iran, Libya and North Korea and the resolution was introduced as the U.N. nuclear watchdog investigates a vast underworld market in nuclear equipment and know-how that Khan spawned.

Experts have turned up black market links to Dubai, Malaysia, South Korea, Switzerland, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands and beyond.

Pakistan's U.N. Ambassador Munir Akram said his government supported the goal of keeping weapons of mass destruction from terrorists but still opposed the council trying to "legislate for the world" and take charge of global non-proliferation and disarmament issues.

Like China, he called for a treaty to prevent proliferation by non-state actors to be negotiated as soon as possible to relieve the Security Council "of the exceptional responsibilities it has assumed" under the resolution.

The five declared nuclear powers who are permanent council members - France, the United States, Britain, Russia, China _ spent months reaching agreement on a text which was then submitted to the 10 non-permanent council members and discussed with the wider U.N. membership.

"The importance of this resolution should not be underestimated," British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said in a statement. "The resolution shows that the international community is determined to respond. It makes clear that all states have a responsibility to take steps to prevent WMD proliferation."


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: carllimbacher

1 posted on 04/29/2004 9:08:38 AM PDT by pookie18
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: pookie18
I'm sure all the terrorists are crying themselves to sleep now that they are banned from procuring WMD.

/sarcasm off
2 posted on 04/29/2004 9:13:03 AM PDT by brothers4thID (Saying Dr. Rice hadn't heard of Al Queda is like saying Dr. Ruth hadn't heard about sex)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: pookie18
Unless the WMD are involved with "Food for OIL!" programs admistered by the UN.
The its OK (WINK)





3 posted on 04/29/2004 9:14:44 AM PDT by cavtrooper21 (Kibbles and Bits, Kibbles and Bits... I really hate Kibbles and Bits.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: pookie18
UN ? what UN?what does UNstand for again? United? Nations?
4 posted on 04/29/2004 9:14:45 AM PDT by wedwo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: pookie18
"But it makes clear that there will be no unilateral action by any country, stating that the council intends "to monitor closely the implementation" and take any further measures at a later time, which diplomats said would require a new resolution."

Classic UN... running around chasing their own tails. Looks good, but will be useless in the end. Useless, like the UN.
5 posted on 04/29/2004 9:16:46 AM PDT by bearkat (Your kid may be an honor student, but YOU'RE still an idiot.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: pookie18
Oh thank goodness the UN passed a resolution, now all those terrorists will just have to stop trying to acquire weopons of mass destruction.... unhuh.

6 posted on 04/29/2004 9:20:16 AM PDT by Made In The USA (Where is the outrage?!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: pookie18
Evidently, the chimp-in-chief of the UN, Kofi, missed the piece about how gun control doesn't work. DC, for example, has had a STRICT ban in place since 1974, but Murder and violent crimes are up 700%+ and only legit citizens are left defenseless. Soooo, maybe the Tangos will have to go back to the back market?

Damn, where's my bribe for the Oil-for-Food program....?
7 posted on 04/29/2004 9:31:42 AM PDT by gunnygail
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Made In The USA
Yeah, now Kerry will say that if he were President the UN would've passed this (useless) resolution years ago! I mean after Iraq defied their 17 resolutions over 12 years, the UN Debating Society was about to call for another debate...unfortunately for them, the Coalition Of The Willing spoiled their plans.
8 posted on 04/29/2004 9:47:41 AM PDT by pookie18
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Made In The USA
What will be the punishment for violating this U.N. resolution? Fifteen more resolutions that aren't enforced?
9 posted on 04/29/2004 9:49:57 AM PDT by DrDavid
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: DrDavid
Nah... They will go BEYOND a mere resolution. They will have a special resolution to denounce (subject to certain conditions and exeptions). If that doesn't work, then there will be the double-secret resolution (assuming France doesn't fillibuster). Yep... It could get ugly.

The UN makes Jerry Springer guests look normal.
10 posted on 04/29/2004 10:04:54 AM PDT by Made In The USA (Where is the outrage?!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson