Resolution 40/82
(December 12, 1985)
The wording of the resolution was
such, that Israel had no objection to its lofty ideals, and thus it was
adopted without a vote. Six years later, when Iraq's nuclear efforts became
known in the wake of the 1991 Gulf War,
the value of this and similar resolutions was evident.
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 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 and 39/54
of 12 December 1984 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,
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-weapons-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 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 further 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 to build on that consensus so that substantial progress can be made towards
establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the Middle East,
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,
1. Urges all parties directly
concerned to consider seriously taking the practical and urgent steps required
for the implementation of the proposal to establish a nuclearweapon-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;
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. Invites those countries,
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 the relevant paragraph of the Final Document of the Tenth Special Session
of the General Assembly, and to deposit those declarations with the Security
Council;
4. Further 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;
5. 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 spirit of the present resolution;
6. Extends its thanks to the
Secretary-General for his report containing the views of parties concerned
regarding the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the
Middle East;
7. Takes note of the
above-mentioned report;
8. Requests those parties that
have not yet communicated their views to the Secretary-General to do so;
9. Welcomes any further
comments from those parties that have already communicated their views to the
Secretary-General;
10. Requests the
Secretary-General to submit a report to the General Assembly at its
forty-first session on the implementation of the present resolution;
11. Decides to include in the
provisional agenda of the forty-first session the item entitled
"Establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the Middle
East".
Sources: The United Nations |