The concept of the Nuclear-weapon-free zone(NWFZ) has evolved in political discourse since the mid-1950s. From the outest the establishment of such zone was conceived in the context of worldwide non-proliferation efforts. At the same time, the zones w...
The concept of the Nuclear-weapon-free zone(NWFZ) has evolved in political discourse since the mid-1950s. From the outest the establishment of such zone was conceived in the context of worldwide non-proliferation efforts. At the same time, the zones would contribute to regional stability and security and diminish the prospect of nuclear weapons being used against countries of the zone.
In its resolution 3472B(X X X) of 11 December 1975 the Assembly defined the concept of a nuclear-weapon-free zone as follow: "A nuclear-weapon-free zone shall, as a general rule, be deemed to be any zone, recognized as such by the General Assembly of the United Nations, which any group of States, in the free excercise of their sovereignty, has established by virtue of a treaty or convention"
So far, five nuclear-weapon-free zone have constituted in relatively highly populated areas the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty, the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty, the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone and A joint Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
The Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free zone Treaty(SEANWFZ) signed at the ASEAN Summit in Bangkok on 15 December 1995. The idea of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the subregion of Southeast Asia was developed in 1971 in a declaration, issued by the original five member States of the ASEAN in kuala Lumpur, in which they agreed to establish a Zone of Peace. Freedom and Neutrality(ZOPFAN) and noted the trend towards establishing nuclear-weapon-free zones.
SEANWFZ implies on the establishment of the Nuclear-Weapon-Free zone in Northeast Asia Northeast Asia is the only region in world in which the technological potential to mark nuclear weapons is combined with deep-seated historical animosities, therefore our impending tasks and mission are the founding of a permanent regional peace regime through the establishment of the Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Northeast Asia.
There are many similarities and differences in aspects of geopolitics and security environment between Northeast and Southeast Asia. In order to establish the Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Northeast Asia, it requires prerequisite as follows: Firstly it is necessary to be respected the status of nuclear-weapon-free zone and assured non-use nuclear weapons against the Non-nuclear-weapon States by the five Nuclear-weapon States. Secondly it is important to negotiate and agree about the disarmament and control the nuclear weapons among the Nuclear-weapon States. Thirdly it is requisite to make a change in the policies and strategies of the Nuclear-weapon States.