Resolution 49/71
(December 15, 1994)
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 3263 (XXIX) of 9 December 1974, 3474 (XXX)
of 11 December 1975, 31/71 of 10 December 1976, 32/82 of 12 December 1977,
33/64 of 14 December 1978, 34/77 of 11 December 1979, 35/147 of 12 December
1980, 36/87 of 9 December 1981, 37/75 of 9 December 1982, 38/64 of 15
December 1983, 39/54 of 12 December 1984, 40/82 of 12 December 1985, 41/48
of 3 December 1986, 42/28 of 30 November 1987, 43/65 of 7 December 1988,
44/108 of 15 December 1989, 45/52 of 4 December 1990, 46/30 of 6 December
1991, 47/48 of 9 December 1992 and 48/71 of 16 December 1993 on the
establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the Middle
East,
Recalling also the recommendations for the establishment of such a
zone in the Middle East consistent with paragraphs 60 to 63, and in
particular paragraph 63 (d), of the Final Document of the Tenth
Special Session of the General Assembly, 1/
Emphasizing the basic provisions of the above-mentioned resolutions,
which call upon all parties directly concerned to consider taking the
practical and urgent steps required for the implementation of the proposal
to establish a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the Middle East
and, pending and during the establishment of such a zone, to declare
solemnly that they will refrain, on a reciprocal basis, from producing,
acquiring or in any other way possessing nuclear weapons and nuclear
explosive devices and from permitting the stationing of nuclear weapons on
their territory by any third party, to agree to place all their nuclear
facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards and to
declare their support for the establishment of the zone and to deposit such
declarations with the Security Council for consideration, as appropriate,
Reaffirming the inalienable right of all States to acquire and
develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes,
Emphasizing also the need for appropriate measures on the question
of the prohibition of military attacks on nuclear facilities,
Bearing in mind the consensus reached by the General Assembly at its
thirty-fifth session that the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone
in the region of the Middle East would greatly enhance international peace
and security,
Desirous of building on that consensus so that substantial progress
can be made towards establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region
of the Middle East,
Welcoming all initiatives leading to general and complete
disarmament, including in the region of the Middle East, and in particular
on the establishment therein of a zone free of weapons of mass destruction,
including nuclear weapons,
Taking note of the peace negotiations in the Middle East, which
should be of a comprehensive nature and represent an appropriate framework
for the peaceful settlement of contentious issues in the region,
Recognizing the importance of credible regional security, including
the establishment of a mutually verifiable nuclear-weapon-free zone,
Emphasizing the essential role of the United Nations in the
establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the Middle
East,
Having examined the report of the Secretary-General on the
implementation of resolution 48/71, 2/
1. Urges all parties directly concerned seriously to consider taking
the practical and urgent steps required for the implementation of the
proposal to establish a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the
Middle East in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the General
Assembly, and, as a means of promoting this objective, invites the
countries concerned to adhere to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of
Nuclear Weapons; 3/
2. Calls upon all countries of the region that have not done so,
pending the establishment of the zone, to agree to place all their nuclear
activities under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards;
3. Takes note of resolution GC(XXXVIII)/RES/21, adopted on 23
September 1994 by the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy
Agency at its thirty-eighth regular session, concerning the application of
Agency safeguards in the Middle East;
4. Takes note also of the importance of the ongoing bilateral Middle
East peace negotiations and the activities of the multilateral working
group on arms control and regional security in promoting mutual confidence
and security in the Middle East, including the establishment of a
nuclear-weapon-free zone;
5. Invites all countries of the region, pending the establishment of
a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the Middle East, to declare
their support for establishing such a zone, consistent with paragraph 63 (d)
of the Final Document of the Tenth Special Session of the General Assembly,
and to deposit those declarations with the Security Council;
6. Also invites those countries, pending the establishment of the
zone, not to develop, produce, test or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons or
permit the stationing on their territories, or territories under their
control, of nuclear weapons or nuclear explosive devices;
7. Invites the nuclear-weapon States and all other States to render
their assistance in the establishment of the zone and at the same time to
refrain from any action that runs counter to both the letter and the spirit
of the present resolution;
8. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General; 2/
9. Invites all parties to consider the appropriate means that may
contribute towards the goal of general and complete disarmament and the
establishment of a zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the region
of the Middle East;
10. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to pursue
consultations with the States of the region and other concerned States, in
accordance with paragraph 7 of resolution 46/30 and taking into account the
evolving situation in the region, and to seek from those States their views
on the measures outlined in chapters III and IV of the study annexed to his
report 4/ or other relevant measures, in order to move towards the
establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the Middle
East;
11. Also requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General
Assembly at its fiftieth session a report on the implementation of the
present resolution;
12. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fiftieth
session the item entitled "Establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone
in the region of the Middle East".
90th plenary meeting
15 December 1994
Notes
1/ Resolution S-10/2.
2/ A/49/324.
3/ United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 729, No. 10485.
4/ A/45/435.
Sources: The United Nations |