    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [June 25, 2003]
    [Pages 694-695]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 694]]

    Joint Statement by President George W. Bush and European Council
    President Konstandinos Simitis and
    European Commission President Romano Prodi on
    the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction
    June 25, 2003

        Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their
    delivery systems constitutes a major threat to international peace and
    security. The threat is compounded by the interest of terrorists in
    acquiring WMD. This would undermine the foundations of international
    order. We pledge to use all means available to avert WMD proliferation
    and the calamities that would follow.

         We will work together to strengthen the international
                system of treaties and regimes against the spread of WMD.
                This implies the development of new regimes, as appropriate,
                and reinforcement of existing regimes. We will pursue the
                goal of universal membership of relevant multilateral
                treaties and agreements.
         We will seek to ensure strict implementation and
                compliance. We are willing to work with all those who
                respect international nonproliferation norms; we are
                committed to dealing effectively with those who ignore them
                or cheat.
         We will support, when necessary, non-routine inspections.
         We recognize that, if necessary, other measures in
                accordance with international law may be needed to combat
                proliferation.
         We will work together to deploy our combined political and
                diplomatic influence most effectively in support of our
                nonproliferation objectives.
         We will work together to develop further a common
                assessment of global proliferation threats.

        We welcome the statement on nonproliferation by European Union Heads
    of State and Government at Thessaloniki and the G8 Declaration of the
    Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. We reaffirm our joint
    commitment to relevant treaties and agreements, in particular the
    Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. We will work together in all areas to
    stop and reverse proliferation.
        In particular:

         We will explore ways to make the International Atomic
                Energy Agency's (IAEA) Safeguards Agreements and Additional
                Protocols a standard for nuclear cooperation and
                nonproliferation. We urge all States with nuclear facilities
                or activities to ratify and implement these Agreements and
                Protocols without delay. Furthermore, on an urgent and
                exceptional basis, taking account of the increase in the
                Agency's workload in this area, we will support an adequate
                increase in the IAEA safeguards budget to ensure the
                credibility of the IAEA's verification system.
         We will strengthen both export controls on materials and
                technologies related to WMD and their delivery systems as
                well as their enforcement and implementation. We believe
                that national controls should include criminal penalties for
                the illegal export, transshipment or brokering of weapons of
                mass destruction, missile delivery systems, and materials or
                technology for use in WMD or missile programs. We will work
                together with like-minded partners to tighten export
                controls, where necessary providing assistance to create and
                improve effective, enforceable national export control
                systems. We agree to introduce catch-all provisions, where
                appropriate. We will

    [[Page 695]]

                share information so as to identify new patterns of
                procurement by State and non-State actors. We will seek new
                methods to stop the proliferation trade to and from
                countries and entities of proliferation concern.
         We will work together in the framework of the Biological
                and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) to strengthen national
                control over pathogenic micro-organisms and toxins and, in
                the framework of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), to
                foster the elimination of all chemical weapons.
         We will strengthen identification, control and interdiction
                of illegal shipments, including national criminal sanctions
                against those who contribute to illicit procurement efforts.
         We emphasize the importance of cooperative threat reduction
                programs with third countries.

        We will cooperate actively to address specific proliferation
    challenges. In particular:

         We condemn North Korea's nuclear weapons program and its
                failure to comply with the IAEA safeguards agreement, which
                undermine the nonproliferation regime. We call on North
                Korea to refrain from any action that would further
                aggravate the problem. We strongly urge North Korea to
                visibly, verifiably, and irreversibly dismantle that program
                and to come into full compliance with international
                nonproliferation obligations, as a fundamental step to
                facilitate a comprehensive and peaceful solution.
         We express our continuing serious concern at Iran's nuclear
                program, in particular as regards the pursuit of a full
                nuclear fuel cycle, as announced by President
                Khatami. Mohammed We are
                troubled by the information in the IAEA's report detailing
                Iran's failures to meet its safeguards obligations, and we
                fully support ongoing investigation by the IAEA to answer
                the unresolved questions and concerns identified in that
                report. Iran must cooperate fully with the IAEA, remedy all
                failures and answer all questions. It must also sign and
                implement an Additional Protocol, without delay or
                conditions, as a significant first step towards addressing
                those concerns.
         We remain concerned at the pursuit of nuclear, biological
                and chemical weapons, and missiles for their delivery by a
                number of other States. We will continue to monitor these
                closely and to exchange information, including with other
                concerned States.

        Proliferation is a threat not only to our security, but also to the
    wider international system. We call for a halt to proliferation
    activities in a way that is demonstrable and verifiable.
    Nonproliferation is a global challenge which requires a multifaceted
    solution. We need to tackle it individually and collectively--working
    together and with other partners, including through relevant
    international institutions, in particular those of the United Nations
    system.

    Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this joint statement.