Arctic Nuclear Weapon Free Zone NOW IS THE TIME

1. Third in the Arctic Symposium Series by the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation January 6, 2011 Munk Centre, University of Toronto Toronto, Canada _________________________ Presented by Adele Buckley Arctic Security Committee, Canadian Pugwash Arctic Nuclear Weapon Free Zone NOW IS THE TIME

2. Canadian Pugwash Campaign • GOAL: Keep the ANWFZ proposal at the forefront in interaction with all nuclear and Arctic non-nuclear governments until such time as these governments are committed to carrying the process forward Establishment of an Arctic Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone is a confidence building step toward a world free of nuclear weapons

3. OVERALL • NWFZs • Role of the United Nations • The Arctic today, including military activity • Tools for Governance • The path to an Arctic NWFZ • Supporters of Arctic NWFZ • Canadian government position at the start of 2011 • The “TO-DO” list

4. NUCLEAR WEAPON FREE ZONES

5. What is a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone? Principles that the United Nations* has set for NWFZs • Non-possession • Non-deployment • Non-manufacture, including delivery systems • Non-use of Nuclear Weapons • The decision to create a NWFZ should be initiated within the region and arrived at freely by the states that make up the region • NWFZ treaty - verifiable and of unlimited duration • NWFZ treaty - Nuclear weapon states have to be involved so they will (subsequently) ratify protocols that recognize the treaty and offer negative security assurances * UNGA 1975

8. Benefits of NWFZs to the broader goals of Arms Control and Disarmament • A nuclear free zone is a step toward a nuclear weapons convention • Delegitimizes nuclear weapons, constrains nuclear proliferation, builds cooperative security • Sharpens the focus of regional collaboration against nuclear weapons

9. Historical perspective on Arctic NWFZ • First proposal for a nuclear weapons free Arctic – 1964 published in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, by two scientists – one Russian, one American • Indigenous groups, including the Inuit Circumpolar Conference(from 1974), pressed the case for a nuclear-weapon-free Arctic • Gorbachev proposed an “Arctic zone of peace” 1990? [not including the Arctic ocean]

10. ROLE OF THE UNITED NATIONS

11. The United Nations: a very important actor in NWFZ creation • Article VII of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and numerous UN resolutions affirm the right of states to establish NWFZ’s in their territories • The 2010 NPT Review Conference received the Declaration and recommendations for the Second Conference of States Parties and Signatories of Treaties that Establish NWFZs and Mongolia (April 30, 2010). This included the recommendations of the Civil Society Forum, United Nations April 29, 2010. • The above declaration is annexed as information pertaining to this presentation

12. [APPENDIX] • NWFZM/CONF.2010/1 • Second Conference of States Parties • and Signatories of Treaties that • Establish Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones • and Mongolia • 5 May 2010 • Original: English • 10-34972 (E) 070510 • *1034972* • New York, 30 April 2010 • Outcome Document • Second Conference of Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones • and Mongolia • New York, 30 April 2010 • On the occasion of the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on • Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons we, the States parties and signatories to the • Treaties of Tlatelolco (1967), Rarotonga (1985), Bangkok (1995), Pelindaba (1996) • and Central Asia (2006) which have established nuclear-weapon-free zones, as well • as Mongolia — a nuclear-weapon-free State — have met for the purpose of • strengthening the nuclear-weapon-free zones regimes and contributing to the nuclear • disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation process, and in particular to analyse • ways of cooperating that can promote the achievement of the universal goal of a • nuclear-weapon-free world. • Bearing this in mind: • 1. We reaffirm ………………

13. United Nations First Committeemeeting Oct 11 – Nov 2, 2010 A full range of nuclear disarmament topics was considered. On Nuclear Weapon Free Zones, the final report (www.reachingcriticalwill.org/) summarizes: “The 2010 meetings….continued to highlight NWFZs as an essential element of the nuclear disarmament regime. The momentum behind establishing NWFZs ……was palpable in the First Committee.”

14. UN Sec. Gen. Ban Ki-moon’s 5-Point Proposal on Nuclear Disarmament 1. Pursue negotiations in good faith – as required by the NPT – on nuclear disarmament, either through a new convention or through a series of mutually reinforcing instruments backed by a credible system of verification. 2. Strengthen security in the disarmament process, and…assure non-nuclear-weapon states against nuclear weapons threats. 3. Ensure that disarmament is rooted in legal obligations through universal membership in multilateral treaties, regional nuclear-weapon-free zones*, a new treaty on fissile materials, and ratification and entry into force of the comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty. 4. Ensure disarmament is visible to the public through greater accountability and transparency – thus countries with nuclear weapons should publish more information about what they are doing to fulfill their disarmament commitments. 5. Recognize that nuclear disarmament also requires eliminating other weapons of mass destruction and limiting missiles, space weapons and conventional arms. August 3, 2009 http://www.un.org/sg/articleFull.asp?TID=105&Type=Op-Ed * [emphasis added]

15. Conclusion There is evidence that NWFZs are becoming more prominent as part of overall Arms Control

16. Important regions for new* NWFZs • Northeast Asia • Middle East • –the 2010 NPT Review Conference agreed to meet to consider a Middle East NWFZ in 2012; per the resolution of the 1995 NPT Review Conference • Central Europe • The Arctic *IAEA official (Oct 18, UN 1st Committee) offers the assistance of the agency in creating new NWFZ, when requested

18. THE “NEW” CANADIAN ARCTIC- NOW BEING FORMED Mackenzie River, NWT Iqualuit, Nunavut

19. The ArcticOverlap of the two great security threats of the 21st century – CLIMATE CHANGE & NUCLEAR WEAPONS

20. Climate Change <<->> Polar Ice Melts & Arctic climate affects the global climate • A major adaptation is needed in the way of life for Arctic indigenous peoples • There will be environmental refugees from coastal regions; requiring adaptation from a culture of the sea to a culture of the land • Traditional knowledge, gained over 100s/1000s of years about land, water, snow, marine conditions, wildlife must be valued and utilized • Youth must be educated to full participation in the new frontier; must be capable of employment in senior technical and management positions • Strategies and policies of adaptation must be jointly developed by Arctic peoples and their governments. Sustainability and environmental protection must be paramount • Increased military presence is certain, and in some instances could overlap with territorial jurisdiction of indigenous peoples.

21. International law (UNCLOS) will resolve sovereignty claims on continental shelveswww.dur.ac.uk/ibru/resources/arctic

22. UNCLOS – Sovereign Rights Under the Convention

23. Circumpolar nations add new military hardwareClockwise: Russia – submarine; Russia – surface warship; Norway – armed Arctic patrol vessel; Norway – 4 ice capable vessels of this class ; Norway – armed Arctic patrol vessel[Rob Huebert, Univ. of Calgary – Arctic Security Challenges & Issues- Ottawa, 01/28/10]

24. Ice capable conflict and surveillance vesselsClockwise: Sweden/Finland- Arctic exercise 2009; Canada-Northern exercises; Canada – Arctic Offshore patrol vessel; Denmark –armed, ice capable inspection vessel [Rob Huebert]

25. Avoid militarization for support of territorial claims – instead, collaborate Needed – multilateral collaboration- for example: • Search and rescue • Environmental problems, e.g. oil spill • Suppression of particulate matter [exacerbates absorption of sunlight, and increased warming] • Surveillance of shipping lanes • Fisheries regulation _______________________________________________________ Check our report- “Ridding the Arctic of Nuclear Weapons A Task Long Overdue”

26. Northern Strategy for Canada • Canadian government officials say: “The current and foreseeable threats or challenges are not military; the objective is thus to evolve a rules-based, regulated environment in order to best serve the development needs and interests of the people of the Arctic. There is movement toward a regulated environment that will meet the commercial and environmental challenges (and opportunities) that are growing, and in the process honour the interests and well-being of the North’s permanent residents.  ………………. The governance development in the Arctic is not militarization but regulation – and the implementation of the latter depends on logistics support from the Canadian Forces” Notes from Ernie Regehr on remarks by Brigadier-General John Collin, Nov. 9, 2010, forum "True North Strong and Free: Canada's Role in the Arctic" , CIGI, Waterloo, ON

27. TOOLS FOR GOVERNANCE

28. ARCTIC GOVERNANCE PLAN • International collaboration • Avoid militarization of the Arctic • International treaties: many issues relevant to the Arctic & its peoples, for negotiation in the near term • Settle sovereignty claims • Support adaptation for Arctic ecology and people • Expand science research • Develop new technology for this new frontier • Develop new means of governance • Set a global example for innovations in governance

29. The Arctic Council today • The Arctic Council is an intergovernmental circumpolar forum to collaborate on • Arctic issues generally • Environmental protection and sustainable development • Circumpolar nations are the members • Indigenous peoples are permanent participants • Others • Observers: several countries • NGOs: an extensive list

30. The Arctic Council as it needs to be in the future[from symposium “ A Brief History of the Arctic Council” Dec 2, 2010 by Dr. Tom Axworthy, Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation] • PAST – In 1988, a major Arctic arms control conference was convened in Canada (SfP supported by WDGF), followed by a stream of meetings/statements/panels that led to formation of the Arctic Council in 1996. Canada was the first chair (1996-1998) • United States was a hesitant participant, finally agreeing to indigenous participation but adamantly rejecting security matters. The U.S. joined the Arctic Council – security was out • FUTURE - The mandate of the Arctic Council should be expanded to include peace and security issues. • AND ALSO – add a permanent secretariat; bring back the Ambassador for Circumpolar Affairs; Canada- chair from 2013

31. International CollaborationTOOLS for GOVERNANCE • Arctic Council: Its mandate must enlarge, including security, & still retaining decision making only for circumpolar nations and peoples • A Scientific Committee on Arctic Research (as in the Antarctic) • UNCLOS1 rules on ocean area sovereignty, based data about the seabed • Economic resources: sufficient funding must be allocated by governments; multinationals that benefit from Arctic resources or transpolar shipping must contribute • Agreements / Treaties: regional, national, pan-Arctic, bilateral, multilateral, international. The idea of Arctic NWFZ to be introduced conceptually, starting now 1 UNCLOS United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea

32. SETTING OUT ON THE PATH TO AN ARCTIC NUCLEAR-WEAPON-FREE-ZONE

33. THE MAIN CHALLENGES • Many circumpolar nations are part of NATO, a nuclear alliance. • Arctic nations U.S. and Russia are nuclear weapon states • Security policy: planning of the Arctic circumpolar states does not, to date, include an Arctic NWFZ BUT • The current level of military threat is low

34. The Outlook[IISS* Strategic Comments Strategic.Comments@iiss.org Dec 16, 2010] “All the Arctic nations….remain committed to international law, institutions, governance and cooperation….for the resolution of disputes and promoted of increased economic activity……………Rather than implying an Arctic arms race, resource gold rush, or new ‘cold war’, military developments in the region appear to be of secondary importance compared with continuing cooperative efforts to deal with environmental, economic and energy security.” * IISS International Institute for Strategic Studies

35. Further Outcomes of an Arctic NWFZ to goals of Arms Control and Disarmament • An Arctic NWFZ treaty would create the controls that would greatly diminish or eliminate the possibility of terrorists transporting nuclear material or nuclear bombs by Arctic sea lanes. • An ANWFZ supports the Global Security Initiative for control of nuclear material, and nuclear waste, especially in the lands of the Russian Arctic • The Russian Northern Fleet, particularly the SSBN class, is likely to have its main future in the Pacific [Michael Wallace, Canadian Pugwash/Science for Peace Forum, November, 2010] ANWFZ could hasten removal of Russian submarines from the Arctic

36. MEET THE CHALLENGES start the Arctic NWFZ treaty negotiations • Nations must proceed with urgency; there is need for comprehensive assistance to the Arctic peoples – indigenous and non-indigenous – for preservation of the environment, security from conflict, and adaptation to climate change. NWFZ has to be present [but in the background, for now.] • Arctic peoples must be at the negotiating table. • Flexibility in negotiation is the key, since each nuclear weapon-free zone is specific to the geography and politics of the participating sovereign states For example: rules for transit of nuclear weapons vary from zone to zone. • The US and Russia might find that the challenges posed in the Arctic would be the catalyst to extend the already-agreed arms cuts in the New START treaty and to build co-operative security mechanisms that serve to replace nuclear deterrence and facilitate a global nuclear weapons free regime.

37. Alternate starting pathways leading towards an Arctic NWFZ • UN General Assembly resolution introduced by Arctic non-nuclear weapon states • Nordic NWFZ • Nordic and Canadian NWFZ • Entire countries, or just north of Arctic Circle? • Land first, then sea, then air OR sea first, then land, then air • U.S. and Russia might find reductions in the Arctic would be a useful way to continue the agreed arms cuts in the New START treaty, and could be a “trial run” for a nuclear weapons convention

38. What is the path for the Government of Canada? Canadian government could assume an international leadership role for an Arctic NWFZ, as concrete evidence of its stated policy of support for nuclear disarmament OF NOTE: (1) NNWS in the Arctic, including Canada, have already fulfilled important criteria AND (2) Membership in NATO need not be a hindrance to formation; other NWFZ nations (e.g. Australia) are also in nuclear alliances

39. SUPPORTERS OF AN ARCTIC NUCLEAR- WEAPON-FREE ZONE

40. Support for an Arctic NWFZ • Leaders in international Pugwash • Circumpolar Pugwash groups:-Canada, Denmark, Norway, Sweden • Amb. Jayantha Dhanapala:-President of Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs • Senator Roméo Dallaire: Parliament of Canada • Several members of the Parliament of Denmark • Interaction Council (former Prime Ministers and world leaders) – meeting of April 2010 • Walter & Duncan Gordon Foundation (Canada) • World Future Council (United Kingdom) • Nordic Council –Nordic NWFZ proposal submitted • Several Canadian peace groups • Soon - PNND, Canada – future ANWFZ motion intended for House of Commons

41. The Canadian Pugwash Statement: Protect the Arctic with an Arctic Nuclear Weapon Free Zone • Preamble – the situation • Main challenges • Meeting the challenges • Policy/ action for the Arctic Nuclear Weapons States (NWS) • Policy/action for Arctic NNWS Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden • Action for Civil Society • Endorsements – for Arctic NWFZ

42. Canadian Parliament’s position – at the start of 2011- supports a nuclear weapon convention • June 2, 2010 [from Senator Hugh Segal’s motion in the Senate, passed unanimously] “…encourage the Government of Canada • to engage in negotiations for a nuclear weapons convention • to deploy a major world-wide Canadian diplomatic initiative in support of preventing nuclear proliferation and increasing the rate of nuclear disarmament” • December 7, 2010The House of Commons gave unanimous consent to a motion submitted by the Bill Siksay MP, Chair of the Canadian Section of Parliamentarians for Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament (PNND), endorsing the United Nations Secretary-General’s Five-Point-Plan for nuclear disarmament and calling on the Government of Canada to “….engage in negotiations for a nuclear weapons convention as proposed by the UN Secretary-General”

43. Connecting: ANWFZ as a support for a Nuclear Weapons Convention NWC • NWC is an international, universal treaty for nuclear abolition, supported by verification • NWFZ helps to build co-operative security mechanisms that facilitate a global nuclear-weapon-free regime • Planning and negotiating for a NWFZ is a confidence building measure. “Only in a world verifiably free of nuclear weapons will there be no proliferation” – Jayantha Dhanapala at 2010 World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates, Hiroshima. 12-14 November, 2010

44. THE “TO-DO” LIST

45. Start of a “TO-DO” List • Civil society groups, educators, indigenous groups and individuals can and should visit their MPs and write to the Government of Canada in support of Arctic NWFZ [as recommended by Donald Sinclair, DG, and Yves Brodeur, ADM, International Security Branch, DFAIT - personal communication to A. Buckley] [from Senator Hugh Segal’s motion in the Senate, passed on June 2, 2010] • “…encourage the Government of Canada • to engage in negotiations for a nuclear weapons convention • to deploy a major world-wide Canadian diplomatic initiative in support of preventing nuclear proliferation and increasing the rate of nuclear disarmament” • Arctic circumpolar nations should present a resolution to the United Nations General Assembly , 2011, in support of a NWFZ for the Arctic[recommendation of Jayantha Dhanapala, President, Pugwash Conferences] • Throughout the circumpolar region, press governments to uphold a “northern vision” of peace

46. Arctic NWFZ should be on the national agenda of all circumpolar nations POTENTIAL CHAMPIONS • Government of Canada • Governments of circumpolar nations • Arctic Council, and Nordic Council • Civil society • PNND (Canada) and PNND international • United Nations First Committee

47. The last word • “Canada must take this issue very seriously. Creating an Arctic nuclear-weapon-free zone will be a long process. Now is the time to launch this initiative, while the Arctic is being shaped, because this opportunity will not exist for long.” Hon. Roméo Antonius Dallaire, Senate of Canada

48. Contact information Canadian Pugwash Arctic Security WG • Adele Buckley adele-buckley@rogers.com • Michael Wallace michael.wallace@ubc.ca • Steven Staples sstaples@rideauinstitute.ca • Erika Simpson simpson@uwo.ca www.arcticnwfz.cawww.pugwashgroup.ca Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation gordonfn@gordonfn.org Subscribe to: Arctic NWFZ (arctic-nuclear-weapon-free@googlegroups.com) Arctic Security Group (arctic-security@googlegroups.com ) Report: Ridding the Arctic of Nuclear Weapons, A Task Long Overdue (M. Wallace & S. Staples)

50. Annex NWFZM/CONF.2010/1 Declaration and recommendations for the Second Conference ofStates Parties and Signatories of Treaties that Establish Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones and Mongolia (30 April 2010),and the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on theNon-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, adopted by the CivilSociety Forum for Nuclear Weapon Free Zones, held atUnited Nations, New York, on 29 April 2010 The citizens listed below, participants of the Civil Society Forum for Nuclear Weapon Free Zones, held on 29 April 2010 at the United Nations in New York: 1. Affirm the role that local, national and regional nuclear-weapon-free zones play in delegitimizing nuclear weapons, constraining nuclear proliferation, building cooperative security and paving the way for a nuclear-weapons-free world; 2. Express their continued support for the nuclear-weapon-free zones established in Antarctica, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Seabed, Outer Space, the South Pacific, Africa, South-East Asia, Mongolia and Central Asia; 3. Call upon all States, in particular the nuclear-weapon States, to fully respect existing nuclear-weapon-free zones, including to ratify the respective protocols and remove reservations to current ratifications, in order to guarantee the zones remain free of nuclear weapons and the threat of their use; 4. Support the exploration of possibilities for establishing nuclear-weaponfree zones in the Middle East, North-East Asia, the Arctic and Central Europe, and call upon Governments in these regions to undertake multilateral dialogue, deliberations and negotiations to establish such zones;