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International relations

US and Britain Seek International Help for Libya and Iraq's Disarmament

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The US and Britain are advocating for international assistance to be redirected to Libya and Iraq, with a focus on ensuring that their weapons scientists pursue peaceful activities and are not lured to help other countries pursue clandestine weapons programs. This effort is part of the global partnership initiative against the spread of weapons of mass destruction, which was agreed upon in 2002. The initiative aims to finance and develop cooperation projects to curb the spread of nuclear and other toxic materials and weapons expertise from the former Soviet Union and elsewhere.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US and Britain are pushing for an announcement at the Group of Eight summit in June to redirect international assistance to Libya and Iraq, focusing on keeping their scientists from pursuing clandestine weapons programs.
  • The global partnership initiative, launched in 2002, is designed to finance and develop cooperation projects aimed at curbing the spread of nuclear and other toxic materials and weapons expertise.
  • Libya has dismantled most equipment in its nuclear program, but intellectual knowledge gathered by scientists could allow for a resumption of weapons research.
  • Discussions with Libya are beginning over the fate of the scientists and their future activities, with a focus on ensuring that they are not lured to help other countries pursuing clandestine weapons programs.
  • The talks will also cover the conversion of Libya's Scud missiles to comply with the Missile Technology Control regime, limiting the missiles to a 300km range with a 500kg payload.
  • The US is pressing for several initiatives to be announced at the G8 summit, including the global partnership initiative and the conversion of Libya's Scud missiles.

Statistics:

  • The global partnership initiative was agreed upon in 2002.
  • Libya has dismantled most equipment in its nuclear program.
  • The Missile Technology Control regime limits missiles to a 300km range with a 500kg payload.

Sources:

  • Infrastructure and Prosperity Programme and the Democratic Institutions and Respect for Human Rights Recovery and Development Programme
  • Office of the Press Secretary
  • Senior Bush administration official

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