By Guido Lanfranchi.
On September 26th, State Department Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, Andrea Thompson briefed the press on the US efforts on nonproliferation at the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly.
With the escalating rows between the US and Iran on the Nuclear Agreement, the ongoing negotiations for the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, and the recent chemical attacks in Salisbury, nonproliferation was definitely set to be one of the key themes of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly. Indeed, so it has been, as many speeches, side-events, and high-level bilateral meetings have been focusing on the theme of nonproliferation.
The US administration has decided to double down on the topic. In a telephonic briefing with the press, State Department Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Andrea Thompson stated that “the top priority for the US at this year’s General Assembly is nonproliferation,” noting that while such theme is an everyday focus for the US State Department, UNGA provided a great forum to discuss such issue with a wide range of partners from all across the world.
A hot topic in this week’s UNGA has undoubtedly been Iran. After withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action , the US administration is now in the process of re-imposing a sanctions on Iran and all actors who directly deal with its government. This has created strains between the US and its European allies, with the latter who have been active in trying to shield European businesses from US sanctions.
Questioned about the US policy on Iran and the upcoming rounds of sanctions, Ms. Thompson stressed the need focus “on the full range of Iran’s malign activities,” including Iran’s ballistic missiles program, support of terrorism, and human rights record. Concerning the EU’s efforts to salvage the JCPOA, Ms. Thompson referred to US Secretary of Sate’s recent declarations, in which Mr. Michael Pompeo firmly condemned the European efforts. Nevertheless, the US and the EU see eye to eye on a series of issues related to Iran – Ms. Thompson noted – and will continue to work together on the issue.
Under Secretary Thompson also touched upon the ongoing negotiations with North Korea, which are aimed at achieving the “final and fully verified denulcearization” of the country. In doing so, she stressed that full compliance with all UN Security Council Resolutions is of paramount importance. As the international community’s pressure played a role in pushing Kim Jong-un to negotiate – Ms. Thompson said – the current sanctions should be kept in place until the denuclearization of North Korea.
Finally, Under Secretary Thompson also touched upon the topic of biological weapons. She stressed that the international community as a whole has a zero-tolerance policy on the use of not only biological, but also chemical weapons, and that “the US is also a leader in that field.” As such, the US administration is working and will work with a broad range of international partners against the proliferation of such weapons.
While challenges are ahead on all fronts, and especially on the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the international community continues to focus its attention on the topic. Hopefully, the 73rd session of UNGA will be a profitable forum for finding suitable solutions.
For additional information:
U.S. administration reimposes a first round of sanctions on Iran
Global Coalition against ISIS prepares offensive in the Euphrates River Valley, Syria
US to impose a new set of sanctions on Russia over the Skripal case
