Contribution to
development of new and strengthened WMD Non-proliferation regimes such as the
BWC and FMCT.
Milestone
F1
Provision of effective technical support
and advice to Australias negotiations for a protocol to strengthen the BWC.
Activities
ASNO continued to provide ISD with
technical assistance in the development of a protocol to strengthen the BWC,
but at a lower level of intensity. This
work includes analysis of options for declaration triggers, and identification
of Government facilities potentially affected by the protocol in Australia. To this end, ASNO conducted an extensive
survey of Government facilities focussing on six key areas, namely:
microbiological production; work with micro-organisms and/or toxins; genetic
manipulation of organisms; aerosol dissemination; bio-containment facilities;
and bio-defence programs. Survey
results indicated that the protocol is likely to have a greater impact on
Government facilities than the biotechnology industry in Australia. In addition, ASNO also managed a consultancy
directed towards developing options for better targeting one specific declaration
trigger, namely that for Other Production Facilities.
Performance Assessment
A report on results of the efforts to
better define the Other Production Facility declaration trigger was
considered by the National Consultative Group and helped inform the Australian
delegation to the CD in Geneva. ISD
values ASNOs technical input towards the development of an effective BWC
verification regime.
Milestone
F2
Effective contribution to national and
international discussions on Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) developments.
Activities
The concept of an FMCT is described on page 73. Effective and cost-efficient verification
will be fundamental to the FMCT regime.
An important part of preparation for FMCT negotiations, therefore, is
the development of verification concepts to help guide the negotiations to a
successful outcome.
Development of verification concepts for
the FMCT is a task of high priority for ASNO.
During the year ASNO further developed, and presented at different
international fora, new ideas on basic verification aspects of the FMCT
including, inter alia, routine and
non-routine verification activities, managed access, and challenge inspection
mechanisms.
The IAEA has decided to refine its previous
analyses undertaken in preparation for providing assistance in the negotiation
of this Treaty. At the IAEAs request,
ASNO has made available a senior staff member, Dr Bragin, as a part-time
cost-free consultant to the IAEA on matters relating to the proposed FMCT. Dr Bragin assisted the IAEA in
assessing the implications of possible alternative approaches to verification.
ASNO has provided assistance to ISD in the
formulation of advice on FMCT for the Australian Delegation in the CD and
Australian posts in key capitals. ASNO
officers have participated in bilateral consultations on FMCT with our
counterparts in other countries and the IAEA.
Activities have also included publications, presentation of conference
papers, and participation in international seminars.
Performance Assessment
ASNOs ideas on a focused FMCT verification
regime were presented at several international seminars and conferences where
they were well received. These ideas
appear to be accepted by the majority of the international experts.
ISD values ASNO input towards the
development of effective verification arrangements for the FMCT.