Control of Fissile Materials

Andy Dahlquist

Historical Background

The use of fissile materials has been used in many ways such as weapons, warheads and fuel for power stations. The Soviet government along with the assistance of the United States government planned to end the production of new fissile materials and start the controlled removal of existing fissile materials. Fissile materials are those that contain plutonium and uranium.

UN Action

In 1993 the United Nations passed a consensus resolution supporting negotiations for a global ban on production of fissile materials for weapons. A Conference on Disarmament was held to negotiate a non-discriminatory, multilateral and internationally and effectively verifiable treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons and a possible moratorium on the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons.

Current Situation

After the breakup of the Soviet Union many fissile materials are still not under control of responsible parties. Fissile materials are being sold off to countries that want to start their own nuclear arsenals. Countries are also interested in fissile technology as possible energy sources for the future.

Study Questions

1. What types of fissile materials are acceptable if any?

2. What should countries do that can not afford to dispose of their fissile materials properly?

3. What action should be taken to stop countries from buying fissile materials?

4. Does the United Nations have the right to control the distribution of fissile materials?

5. What are the global implications to fissile materials on other countries?

Resources

The Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty. http://www.acronym.org.uk/fmctdesc.htm

Fissile Material Security in the Post-Cold-War World. http://www.wws.princeton.edu

The Clear and Present Danger of Fissile Materials. http://usafa.af.mil/inss/ocp8.htm

The Next Wave: Urgently Needed New Steps to Control Warheads and Fissile Material. http://www.ceip.org

Lexis-Nexis search: Fissile Materials