Select Committee on Defence Written Evidence


Memorandum from Mr David Broucher

  The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty uses the criteria of states which possess research or other reactors (ie those with a nuclear capability such that they could conceivably be able to manufacture a nuclear device) as the basis for determining who has to sign in order for the Treaty to come into force.

  It lists the following 36 states, as well as China, France, Russian Federation, UK and US, plus India, Israel and Pakistan as being in that category. Of those 36, only the 15 states marked with an asterisk appear to have significant nuclear energy programmes, and might technically be in a position to produce a nuclear device and move towards a stockpile within 24 months of a decision to do so, if all existing diplomatic and other barriers to proliferation were removed.
Algeria

Argentina*

Australia

Austria

Bangladesh

Belgium

Brazil*

Bulgaria

Canada*

Chile

Colombia

Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)

Democratic People's Republic of Korea*

Egypt

Finland*

Germany*

Hungary

Indonesia*
Iran*

Italy

Japan*

Mexico

Netherlands

Norway

Peru

Poland

Republic of Korea*

Romania

Slovakia

South Africa*

Spain*

Sweden*

Switzerland*

Turkey

Ukraine*

Vietnam


22 March 2006





 
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