International Convention Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism

International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism

The United States welcomes the UN General Assembly’s unanimous adoption April 13 of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism. Along with the twelve existing international terrorism conventions and protocols, the Nuclear Terrorism Convention will strengthen the international legal framework to combat terrorism. The Convention will provide a legal basis for international cooperation in the investigation, prosecution, and extradition of those who commit terrorist acts involving radioactive material or a nuclear device.

President Bush and Russian President Putin called for early adoption of this Convention in their February 24 joint statement on Nuclear Security Cooperation. The United States is pleased that United Nations Member States have demonstrated a seriousness of purpose and worked together in a multilateral setting to conclude the Nuclear Terrorism Convention. It is the first counter-terrorism convention adopted by the General Assembly since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. We call on Member States to build on the success of this effort and to work cooperatively to conclude the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.

With the adoption by consensus today of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, the United Nations has sent an undeniably clear signal that the international community will not tolerate those who threaten or commit terrorist acts involving radioactive material or nuclear devices.

SOURCE: state.gov 2005/407 Released on April 13, 2005 Press Statement Richard Boucher, Spokesman Washington, DC April 13, 2005