US working paper at the 2018 NPT PrepCom says that the NPT “cannot be the primary mechanism for progress” on the ME WMDFZ

In its working paper submitted at the 2018 NPT PrepCom, the US outlined what it sees as impediments to progress towards establishing a ME WMDFZ and suggested steps to “establishing regional conditions conducive” to realizing a ME WMDZ. The paper was met with criticism from the Arab states as a significant change in the US position imposing preconditions for establishing the ME WMDFZ.

Photo credit: U.S. Mission Geneva/Eric Bridiers

Dr. Christopher Ford, Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Non-Proliferation, addresses participants at the opening plenary of the 2018 NPT PrepCom in Geneva. April 23, 2018.