Date of Award

1989

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Marine Affairs

Abstract

The South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty was opened for signature on August 5, 1985, on the 40th Anniversary of the Bombing of Hiroshima. The Treaty prohibits Party states from controlling or assisting in the manufacture of nuclear explosive devices and from allowing devices not in their control stationing within their territory or land space. The Protocols to the Treaty enjoin the nuclear weapon sates and the states with territories within the Zone to adhere to the principles of the Treaty and to refrain from control or use of any nuclear explosive devices within the Zone. The principle concern of nuclear weapon states with regard to the implications of the provisions of the Treaty and the Protocols is the prohibition of testing of nuclear explosive devices and the possible restriction of passage through the ocean space encompassed by the Treaty. This is a study of the forces which led to the development of the Treaty, a discussion of the provisions of the Treaty and the Protocols, and an analysis of the implications of these provisions and international reaction to them.

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