Global Security Newswire

WASHINGTON -- A panel created by the U.N. Security Council is visiting Washington this week to learn how the United States is implementing a key resolution aimed at preventing the global proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (see GSN, July 20).

The so-called "1540 Committee" and an associated group of experts will meet with U.S. officials from nearly a dozen federal agencies that work to counter the spread of WMD materials, according to State Department officials. These include the Energy, Defense and State departments, as well as the Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Treasury and Justice agencies.

To implement Resolution 1540, which the U.N. Security Council passed in 2004, Washington has adopted and enforced laws and regulations prohibiting the illicit transfer of WMD-related materials, the State Department noted in a public announcement last week. The U.S. government also has instituted export controls, border controls, and security and financial measures to help stanch proliferation, the agency said.

All U.N. member states are bound by the resolution, which dictates that nations must deny support to non-state actors seeking any WMD capabilities; adopt and enforce laws that prohibit such illicit activities; and effectively control the acquisition of WMD materials and delivery systems.

The Sept. 12-16 U.N. fact-finding mission is the first country visit of its kind. Washington officials hope the meetings will not only boost global awareness of the U.S. role in countering WMD proliferation, but also prompt other nations to discuss what they are doing to advance the same goals.

"This symbolizes to the world that the U.S. is opening its doors to the 1540 Committee by taking them on facility visits," said a State Department official who requested anonymity for this article, noting it was premature to discuss many details publicly.

The U.N. group is expected to visit four U.S. government facilities in the Washington area, run by the Agriculture, Energy, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security departments.

"We're [going to] show them how we're implementing the 1540 mandate of combating WMD," the State Department official said in a brief telephone interview.

After the trip concludes, the panel will issue a report to U.N. member nations about the U.S. initiatives, the official said.