[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
[March 7, 2005]
[Page 379]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
March 7, 2005

    Thirty-five years ago, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of 
Nuclear Weapons entered into force. Today, almost all nations are party 
to the treaty. The NPT represents a key legal barrier to nuclear weapons 
proliferation and makes a critical contribution to international 
security.
    In May, the parties to the NPT will convene the Seventh Review 
Conference of the Treaty. In the context of this review, I reaffirm the 
determination of the United States to carry out its treaty commitments 
and to work to ensure its continuance in the interest of world peace and 
security.
    NPT parties must take strong action to confront the threat of 
noncompliance with the NPT in order to preserve and strengthen the 
treaty's nonproliferation undertakings. We cannot allow rogue states 
that violate their commitments and defy the international community to 
undermine the NPT's fundamental role in strengthening international 
security. We must therefore close the loopholes that allow states to 
produce nuclear materials that can be used to build bombs under the 
cover of civilian nuclear programs.
    For international norms to be effective, they must be enforced. It 
is the charge of the International Atomic Energy Agency to uncover 
banned nuclear activity and to report these violations. The IAEA 
safeguards system is therefore an important means of detecting and 
preventing NPT violations. The IAEA must have the tools it needs to do 
its work, especially universal adherence to the Additional Protocol.
    The United States remains firmly committed to its obligations under 
the NPT. Our record demonstrates this commitment, including the Moscow 
Treaty concluded in 2002. The United States will continue to play a 
leading role in strengthening the nonproliferation regime. We have 
undertaken concrete actions and made several proposals to strengthen the 
NPT, the IAEA, and the broader nonproliferation regime, including 
launching the Proliferation Security Initiative.
    It is essential in these times of great challenge to international 
security, particularly when rogue states and terrorists seek to acquire 
weapons of mass destruction, that the international community work 
together to confront the dangers of nuclear proliferation. I call upon 
all states that are party to the treaty to act promptly and effectively 
to meet the challenges to the NPT and our common security. By doing so, 
we can ensure that it remains an effective instrument of global 
security.