| Fact Sheet Bureau of Arms Control Washington, DC May 22, 2002 The Biological Weapons Convention
The 1975 Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) establishes a global ban
on biological weapons. Under its terms, countries undertake not to
develop, produce, stockpile, or acquire biological agents or toxins "of
types and in quantities that have no justification for prophylactic,
protective, and other peaceful purposes," as well as weapons and means of
delivery. One hundred forty-five countries, including the United States,
have joined the treaty. Unfortunately, the BWC has no mechanism for checking on compliance.
Therefore, in 1994, member states established an Ad Hoc Group to
"strengthen the Convention." From 1995 until July 2001, States Parties
negotiated on a legally binding protocol to enhance transparency and
promote compliance. In July 2001, however, the Bush Administration
reluctantly concluded that the draft protocol would not enhance our
confidence in compliance and would do little to deter those countries
seeking to develop biological weapons. The U.S. immediately embarked on efforts to find other, more effective
ways to combat the BW threat, spurred by the unprecedented attack on the
U.S. on September 11 and subsequent bioterrorism, which underscored the
dangers posed by both determined State actors as well as non-State actors.
While the BWC retains an important role, the U.S. believes we should also
look beyond traditional arms control measures to deal with the complex and
dangerous threat posed by BW. Countering this threat will require a full
range of measures -- tightened export controls, intensified
non-proliferation dialogue, increased domestic preparedness and controls,
enhanced biodefense and counterterrorism capabilities, and innovative
measures against disease outbreaks, as well as the full compliance by all
States Parties with the global ban. The U.S. presented a package of "alternative measures" to strengthen
the Convention to the Conference held in November 2001 to review the
operation of the global ban. Our goals at the Conference were to highlight
compliance concerns and gain support from all States Parties for our
package and other measures that would address the biological weapons
threat of today and the future. There was widespread support for U.S. and
allied initiatives intended to strengthen the Convention through
practical, national implementation measures and continuing expert
meetings. The U.S. succeeded in raising worldwide awareness of the serious
problem of noncompliance with the BWC. The Review Conference adjourned on December 7, 2001 and will reconvene
on November 11, 2002. At the time of adjournment there were major
disagreements on several issues, including "the way forward" for
strengthening the Convention and on how to reflect compliance concerns.
The challenge that lies ahead before the Conference resumes in November is
to develop a mutually acceptable approach, building on the foundation of
the proposals and themes the U.S. tabled in November 2001. Released May 22, 2001 |