The NSG Decision on Sensitive Nuclear Transfers: ABACC and The Additional Protocol

• Published in: Arms control today 2012-11, Vol.42 (9), p.14-17
• Main Authors: Jonas, David S., Carlson, John, Goorevich, Richard S.
• Format: Magazinearticle
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agreements; Arms control & disarmament; Atomic power; Contracts; Diplomatic protocol; European Union; Export-import trade; Handbooks; International agreements; International cooperation; International economic relations; International trade; Materials; NGOs; Nongovernmental organizations; Nuclear industry; Nuclear nonproliferation; Nuclear power; Nuclear weapons; Treaties
• ISSN: 0196-125X; 1943-5754

On a windy day in June 2011, near the shores of the Dutch village of Noordwijk, representatives of the 46 countries that make up the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) agreed on a much-discussed revision of the section of the group's guidelines covering exports relating to uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing. The agreement was a vivid example of NSG efforts to promote nonproliferation without unduly restricting nuclear commerce. Coming after seven years of intensive internal debate, the accord illustrated the difficulty of gaining the support of all members of the group, which operates by consensus. Because Argentina and Brazil did not accede to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty until 1995 and 1998, respectively, the 1991 Quadripartite Agreement and the ABACC arrangements have historical importance in building confidence between the two countries that neither was pursuing a nuclear weapons program, which in itself is a worthwhile achievement.