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22.04.2010 JAMPACKED NUCLEAR CLUB
JAMPACKED NUCLEAR CLUB
Noursultan Nazarbayev
22 April 2010
In one month, the anniversary of the end of World War II will be marked.
There are millions in the world who took part in the fighting in the middle of last century. The difference between history and modernity, though, is that, as Walter Mondale wittily said, “there would be no veterans of World War III.”
The threat of uncontrolled expansion of the nuclear club is one of the most serious problems of the 21st century. Unless the international community shows political will, the process of proliferation of nuclear-weapon states can become completely irreversible, with all consequences thereof.
I believe the situation with nonproliferation is far from ideal. The Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons is not living up to the hopes pinned on it, as it is asymmetric and provides sanctions only for non-nuclear-weapon states. It does not have clear schemes of reaction from the IAEA and the UN to countries’ failure to allow international inspectors access to nuclear facilities. Last but not least, the NPT allows its participants to leave the treaty without consequences. All these circumstances reduce the effectiveness of the treaty.
That’s why, working to strengthen the NPT and the ensuring of its universality, Kazakhstan has also put forward an idea of developing a new universal Treaty on comprehensive horizontal and vertical non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. Such a document should guarantee the non-use of double standards, while at the same time outlining clear obligations of its parties and mechanisms of sanctions to its detractors. Moreover, we are convinced in the need of the soonest adoption of a fissile material cut-off treaty, which could become an important step toward strengthening the non-proliferation regime.
For the people of Kazakhstan, who have come to know the horrors of nuclear tests, the issue of their complete ban is especially important. During 40 years 450 nuclear tests were conducted at the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, causing suffering to 1.5 million people. That is why, on August 29, 1991, I did not waver to issue a decree shutting down the Semipalatinsk test site. It is deeply symbolic that years later the day of August 29, at Kazakhstan’s initiative, was declared the International Day against Nuclear Tests. We regret that some rather influential countries still refrain from signing and ratifying the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
Such a situation allows recognised nuclear states to continue with testing nuclear weapons, and allows threshold states to pursue their own missile and nuclear programme without punishment.
In this situation, special responsibility lies on recognised nuclear weapon states. They should understand a simple truth, it is impossible to modernise nuclear weapons while at the same times trying to convince developing states to renounce WMD development programmes. A reasonable balance is needed between global efforts in fighting nuclear terrorism and nuclear programmes, which are legitimate in the eyes of the international law.
I believe that just sanctions, however effective, will not be enough. Whole countries and nations should not be driven into the corner, deprived of their legal rights for peaceful atom and having their national dignity affected. In these complex issues, positive stimulant encouragement are needed. The states should find it more economically profitable to remain within international legal realm and develop exclusively peaceful nuclear programs.
Kazakhstan has been and remains a firm proponent of the principle of equal access of all countries to the peaceful atom. That is why we understand and support the idea of an international nuclear fuel bank under IAEA auspices.
I would reiterate with full responsibility that Kazakhstan is not only ready to host such a bank on its territory, but to ensure proper storage of nuclear fuel. I can reassure that Kazakhstan will never cross the line separating peaceful nuclear programme from a military one.
Kazakhstan pins special hopes on efforts by President Obama and Medvedev to conclude a new treaty dealing with reductions in strategic weapons.
At the same time, I believe that successes either already reached and expected in the area of reduction of strategic nuclear weapons should not lead to complacency, let alone to 
unjustified euphoria.
I believe the time has come to consider the experience of regional nuclear weapons free zones, in Latin America, South Pacific, South-East Asia and Africa, and Central Asia. This may sound improbable but the participants of nuclear weapons free zones have to wait for years for their recognition by recognised nuclear states and signing of appropriate protocols.
The prospects of reaching a nuclear weapon free world depend, to the great extent, on how the emerging international order would look like. I am convinced that true multi-polarity is possible only in democracy, as an instrument of taking into account the interests of different sides, will be spread into the realm of international affairs as well. Only then will small and medium-sized countries stop viewing nuclear weapons as their main security guarantee and will ‘beat their swords 
into plowshares.”
Real progress toward ideals of nuclear weapon free world depends, primarily, on recognised nuclear weapon states. It is they who should serve as examples for other countries on issues of nonproliferation and disarmament, without the use of double standards. I believe that a nuclear weapon free world can become a reality only through joint efforts of all countries and nations, regardless of the fact whether they have or don’t have 
nuclear technologies.
Kazakhstan, having voluntarily renounced the world’s fourth largest nuclear arsenal, has been and will continue to be a reliable partner for the international community in issues of nonproliferation, disarmament and peaceful use of atomic energy.
The world today is not an arena of nuclear conflicts. Yet, the world is an arena of serious contradictions. The solution to those contradictions is in the hands of a few decision makers. In the hands of the leaders of states, each of which carries a share of burden of responsibility for making sure a destroyed atom does not destroy us all.
Noursultan Nazarbayev is President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
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