France and Disarmament
Country Research – France
FRANCE AND DISARMAMENT
Facts :
France was the first state to have signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). France was the first nation to have shut down and dismantle its facilities for production of fissile materials. France has dismantled its ground to ground nuclear missiles.
In 2008 France reduced the number of its nuclear weapons by one third. After this reduction, the total French arsenal will comprise fewer than 300 nuclear warheads, i.e. half of the maximum number of warheads that France had during the Cold War.
During France’s presidency of the European Union in 2008, it looked to draw up the first disarmament initiatives in Europe.
France proposes :
‣ The signing of the CTBT by all the nations and dismantling of nuclear testing facilities in a transparent way.
‣ The opening of a treaty to ban the use of fissile materials in the production of nuclear weapons.
‣ The opening of a treaty to ban ground to ground missiles.
‣ The accession to and implementation of The Hague Code of Conduct by all States.
‣ Mobilization in all other areas of disarmament.
FRANCE AND PREVENTION OF ARMS RACE IN OUTER SPACE
Facts :
‣ On 29 October 1998, the French delegate to Conference of Disarmament was quoted saying,
“At the outset of the session of the Conference on Disarmament in January 1998, I pointed out that my country attributed special importance to the fact that the Geneva forum deals with three subjects: the prohibition of the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons, the banning of anti-personnel landmines and the prevention of an arms race in outer space.”
“Very recently I have been able to note the renewed interest of many delegations in this subject, and recent developments in the international situation make us want to think about ways to avoid an aggressive — I repeat, aggressive — militarization of space, which could be a source of danger to the international community
FRANCE AND DISARMAMENT
Facts :
France was the first state to have signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). France was the first nation to have shut down and dismantle its facilities for production of fissile materials. France has dismantled its ground to ground nuclear missiles.
In 2008 France reduced the number of its nuclear weapons by one third. After this reduction, the total French arsenal will comprise fewer than 300 nuclear warheads, i.e. half of the maximum number of warheads that France had during the Cold War.
During France’s presidency of the European Union in 2008, it looked to draw up the first disarmament initiatives in Europe.
France proposes :
‣ The signing of the CTBT by all the nations and dismantling of nuclear testing facilities in a transparent way.
‣ The opening of a treaty to ban the use of fissile materials in the production of nuclear weapons.
‣ The opening of a treaty to ban ground to ground missiles.
‣ The accession to and implementation of The Hague Code of Conduct by all States.
‣ Mobilization in all other areas of disarmament.
FRANCE AND PREVENTION OF ARMS RACE IN OUTER SPACE
Facts :
‣ On 29 October 1998, the French delegate to Conference of Disarmament was quoted saying,
“At the outset of the session of the Conference on Disarmament in January 1998, I pointed out that my country attributed special importance to the fact that the Geneva forum deals with three subjects: the prohibition of the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons, the banning of anti-personnel landmines and the prevention of an arms race in outer space.”
“Very recently I have been able to note the renewed interest of many delegations in this subject, and recent developments in the international situation make us want to think about ways to avoid an aggressive — I repeat, aggressive — militarization of space, which could be a source of danger to the international community
Bibliography: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2007/01/18/missile-test.html http://www.economist.com/node/17647639 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/wikileaks/8299491/WikiLeaks-US-vs-China-in-battle-of-the-anti-satellite-space-weapons.html http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/france-priorities_1/disarmament-arms-control_7359/arms-control-and-arms-trade_1109/implementation-of-disarmament-commitments_7223/france-and-nuclear-disarmament_72 http://www.ploughshares.ca/libraries/monitor/mons06c.pdf http://www.franceonu.org/spip.php?article4985