Seoul proves Obama�s nuclear vision lies in shambles

The recently concluded 2012 Seoul Summit on nuclear security affirmed the grave challenge that nuclear terrorism poses to international security. Although, ensuring security of nuclear weapons/material continues to remain the focus of this initiative, it also reiterated the goals of nuclear disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation and peaceful use of nuclear energy.

The non-binding communiqué released following the culmination of the Summit, asserted upon strengthening nuclear security mechanisms which shall be instrumental in reducing the threat of nuclear terrorism, and preventing terrorist groups and non-state actors from acquiring sensitive nuclear materials. To achieve this end, adequate support to the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) is essential in order to prevent non-state actors from obtaining information or the technology vis-à-vis nuclear materials that could prove fatal, or to disrupt information technology based control systems at nuclear facilities.

The Nuclear Security Summit is an initiative first hosted by US President Barack Obama in Washington in 2010. The dominating agenda has been that of preventing dangerous nuclear material, like highly enriched uranium (HEU), from falling into the hands of terrorist groups/networks. President Obama had committed to "lead a global effort to secure all loose nuclear materials around the world during my first term as President". During the period between the 2010 Washington and 2012 Seoul Summits, approximately 480 kg of HEU has reportedly been eliminated.

However, the Seoul Summit has failed in translating Obama's vision of securing all nuclear materials within a four-year deadline. The Seoul Communiqué has not cited specific targets for either elimination, or reduction of nuclear material. The Summit encouraged each state to voluntarily set and announce targets for minimising possession of HEU by the end of 2013, but stopped short of setting specific targets.

It is important to understand the centrality of the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in strengthening the security framework for nuclear security and safety that is designed, implemented and managed in nuclear facilities in a consistent and phased manner. The IAEA provides for appropriate structures, resources and expertise requisite to support implementation of the nuclear security objectives. Besides, the IAEA is presently working on a mechanism which shall provide a meeting ground between nuclear security and safety.

Additionally, the facet of nuclear power plant safety, which remained unaddressed at the Washington Summit in 2010, was discussed at length in Seoul. The nuclear crisis at Fukushima, Japan in 2011 was at the centre of discussions, with an urgent need to maintain effective emergency preparedness, response and mitigation capabilities. The Fukushima incident presented the world with a scenario wherein nuclear power plant accidents could be the outcome of a natural disaster or that of terrorism.

This brings to the next big challenge, that of combating illicit nuclear trafficking. The Seoul Summit seeks to enhance technical capabilities with respect to inspection and detection of nuclear and other radioactive materials outside of regulatory control at international borders.

It would only be imperative that the next Summit on nuclear security scheduled to be held in the Netherlands also discusses and investigates Pakistan's role in nuclear proliferation in Asia led by A.Q. Khan and his illicit proliferation network. With Washington investing as much as $100 million in an effort to improve Pakistan's nuclear weapons safeguards, the measure is testament to and acceptance of the fact that there are gaping loopholes in Pakistan's system through which sensitive WMD technology could slip into the hands of non-state actors.

It would be critical to address the nuclear debate involving North Korea and Iran, which expectedly remained centre stage at the Seoul Summit. With North Korea's announcement of plans to launch a satellite, atop a long-range missile, Kim Jong-un is ostensibly repeating his father's legacy of using nuclear weapons and its means of delivery as a bargaining chip. Pyongyang's nuclear and missile brinkmanship continues to threaten regional stability in the Korean Peninsula.

While Iran has the right to pursue a nuclear programme with the objective of developing nuclear energy strictly for peaceful civilian purposes, it should ensure that no diversion towards any potential military usage should take place. The programme has to be consistent with Tehran's international obligations as per IAEA regulations and provisions of the UN Security Council Resolutions.

While the Seoul Summit has failed to provide any major breakthrough, it has managed to underline yet again, the challenge of nuclear terrorism. Achieving effective nuclear security requires a persevered effort. Till the time nuclear weapons will be present in the world, the threat of them being misused shall also remain. The sole permanent solution to this question remains a commitment towards achieving universal nuclear disarmament.

Dr. Monika Chansoria is a Senior Fellow at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies, New Delhi

Courtesy: The Sunday Guardian, 1 April 2012

http://www.sunday-guardian.com/analysis/seoul-proves-obamas-nuclear-vision-lies-in-shambles