The UN Takes a Brave Stand Against Nuclear Terrorism

The resolution was almost derailed when someone attempted to add a "Puppies are really adorable" amendment:

The 191-member U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday unanimously approved a treaty outlawing the use of nuclear weapons by terrorists and their supporters.

The Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism is the first anti-terrorism treaty to be adopted since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. It is the 13th anti-terrorism treaty and builds on recent efforts by the U.N. Security Council to compel states to strengthen their laws and policies to combat terrorist groups.

The treaty, which governments will begin signing at the General Assembly session in September, criminalizes the possession or use of radioactive material or a nuclear device "to cause death or serious bodily injury." It also makes it a crime to use a nuclear device to damage property or the environment or to attack a nuclear facility.

...

An agreement on language was struck after members of the 57-nation Organization of the Islamic Conference were assured that the treaty would not be used to impose a generic definition of terrorism. Defining terrorism has been an intensely controversial issue at the United Nations, where Islamic governments have argued that anti-Israel national liberation movements that have targeted civilians should not be considered terrorists.

Yes... we all have our priorities.

And yet there remain a few cranky doubters:

Nuclear arms proliferation experts generally welcomed the General Assembly's actions as an indication of its recognition of the threat but voiced skepticism over the treaty's capacity to halt the spread of nuclear weapons.

"It's a good thing" that they are making a concerted effort to grapple with the threat of nuclear terrorism, said Charles D. Ferguson II, an expert on terrorism at the Council on Foreign Relations. "But the bottom line is, it's not going to stop it."

Shut up, really?!

In related news, the UN is "seriously considering" passing a "strongly worded" resolution against "death, disease, and dismemberment, as well as any other nasty stuff that totally can buzz-kill your weekend."

Thanks to Bill, who keeps his eye on the UN, as well as other important world organizations, such as the 98 Degrees Fan Club.

posted by Ace at 11:15 AM

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