Malta ratifies protocol to nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

An agreement signed between Malta and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on an additional protocol to the Non-Proliferation Treaty on nuclear weapons was ratified by the House of Representatives yesterday.

Foreign Minister Michael Frendo explained that the protocol required participating states to inform the agency and grant access to sites where nuclear research or activity was being carried out. States were also obliged to look out for and act against the export of any dual use materials and machinery which could be used for nuclear weapons building.

He explained that although Malta did not have a nuclear weapons building facility, it had to be constantly vigilant against the transport of materials which could be used for nuclear weapons, such as via Malta Freeport. Equipment had been installed at the freeport for this purpose.

"This is a responsibility which we take very seriously," the minister said. "The government is committed to continuing to ensure that the level of security at the Freeport remains at least as high, and possibly higher, than at other neighbouring harbours so as to prevent the transport of weapons or other dangerous material."

He said the protocol had already been ratified by 62 other countries and Malta agreed to do so when it adopted the acquis for EU membership.

Malta became a state party of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in 1990 and joined the IAEA in 1997.

The minister said the agency was helping Malta financially and on projects related to health and food safety being implemented by Boffa and St Luke's hospitals, the Department of Veterinary Services, the Water Services Corporation and the National Laboratory. This assistance amounted to $600,000 every two years.

Malta was also participating in an IAEA regional programme on the use of nuclear material for medical purposes, notably cancer treatment. Some 30 Maltese doctors, radiologists and scientists had attended courses related to their work.

At the last meeting of the IAEA's regional technical cooperation committee, four projects suggested by Malta a year ago were approved. These would involve monitoring for contamination in the atmosphere and the Mediterranean Sea, the use of nuclear methods for the protection of the Mediterranean's cultural heritage and action to improve measures against nuclear radiation and safer use of nuclear materials.

In his speech Dr Frendo expressed concern over the proliferation of nuclear weapons, highlighting the role the EU was taking in trying to dissuade Iran from producing nuclear weapons. Another area of concern was the acquisition of nuclear weapons by North Korea.

Leo Brincat, opposition foreign affairs spokesman, said the opposition agreed with the ratification of the protocol. However, it shared the concerns of the Council of Europe about the number of countries which had still not ratified this and other treaties and protocols.

The Labour Party had always been strongly against the proliferation of nuclear weapons. It was for this reason that it had strongly resisted visits to Malta's harbours by vessels which could have been carrying nuclear weapons. It had also promoted calls for the Mediterranean and the Middle East to be nuclear-free zones.

Mr Brincat welcomed the announcement and subsequent actions by Libya to stop any development of nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction. Contrary to what was said by some quarters, this initiative was not motivated by what had taken place in Iraq since secret talks had started well beforehand.

He stressed that actions to stop nuclear proliferation had to include tough action against technology transfer for weapons building purposes and the security of weapons grade materials. In this context, export rules had to be tightened, not least by the countries which had signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty to stop nuclear weapons from reaching dangerous hands. Countries which were dismantling nuclear facilities needed to be given greater international aid for the process to be carried out safely and in a way that did not lead to technology slipping to other countries.

He observed that India, Pakistan and Israel never signed the NPT while North Korea had withdrawn.

Israel needed to regularise its position because while it never admitted to having nuclear weapons, everyone knew it had had a nuclear weapons programme for years. In contrast, South Africa had removed its nuclear weapons in 2001.

In efforts against non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, it was important that countries adopted a consistent stance, since closing an eye to the possession of nuclear weapons by some states, such as Israel, while raising an outcry about the possibility of other states against such weapons only served to erode their credibility.

One of the unfortunate shortcomings of the NPT was the weak enforcement of its provisions, as highlighted by North Korea recently.

In this context the opposition welcomed efforts by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan for the NPT to be revamped and for a system to be found whereby nuclear states would guarantee access to nuclear energy for other states without the risk that the technology could be developed for weapons building.

Referring to the acquisition or possible acquisition of nuclear weapons by North Korea, Syria and Iran, Mr Brincat said it was true that there were those who argued that carrots should not be offered to those countries breaching international regulations. But what was important was that an arrangement was reached whereby the security and well-being of those countries was guaranteed and they renounced to weapons of mass destruction.

Near the end of his speech, Mr Brincat said Malta needed to remain constantly vigilant against the use of Malta Freeport or other harbours for the transhipment of materials which could be used for nuclear weapons. He was somewhat concerned when, during recent meetings of the Foreign Affairs Committee in Washington, officials in the Commerce Department and elsewhere had mentioned possible shortcomings in Freeport security. Some had said the Freeport was possibly not sufficiently well-equipped or not sufficiently vigilant. Mr Brincat said that at the Commerce Department he had specifically asked the officials whether they had any evidence to back their concerns, but he was given no straight answer.

Nonetheless, the need for vigilance could not be understated since even one incident could harm not only the reputation of Malta Freeport but also the economy. Jason Azzopardi (PN) said Malta had a strategic position which placed it at the front line of measures to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

The government had therefore rightly given a lot of importance to strengthening its monitoring role.

One should acknowledge the assistance by other countries for Malta to better perform its duties, such as the United States, which had provided training to Customs and other personnel and provided security equipment for the Freeport. The US had also supplied two patrol boats and would also provide two helicopters.

Dr Azzopardi also welcomed Libya's renouncement of weapons of mass destruction. That had been an initiative which benefited the Mediterranean as a whole. It also benefited Europe, which could not enjoy security unless there was stability in the Mediterranean.

The Nationalist MP referred to the Foreign Affairs Committee's recent meetings at the US State Department where serious concern was expressed over the nuclear intentions of North Korea and Iran. The former, it appeared, was trying to blackmail the international community in order to achieve generous financial aid. It would not be helpful for regional security if North Korea was isolated or allowed to develop nuclear weapons. Neither should the international community show itself to be scared of such blackmail.

What was needed was a policy of engagement.

The same applied for Iran.

In issues such as nuclear proliferation, the international community should be careful not to adopt two weights and two measures in its relations with different countries.

Malta, Dr Azzopardi said, should highlight its role in seeking to prevent the proliferation of weapons, but it should also insist that other countries should help it to shoulder this important responsibility.

It also deserved to be helped to strengthen its national capacity to deal with nuclear radiation, contamination of the sea or the air. It was well known that an accident, even many miles away, could have consequences over a wide area.

In his winding up, Dr Frendo welcomed Libya's stand against weapons of mass destruction and its observance of the NPT. This was an initiative which was of benefit to the international community and which should be followed by other countries.

The minister said Malta was an instrument of peace and reconciliation which would continue to work for stability. In the UN Malta would support initiatives, such as those by Mr Annan, for multilateral action aimed at bringing about greater security and stability.

The motion was later unanimously approved.