HC Deb 25 January 1990 vol 165 c801W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's assessment as to whether(a) Argentina, (b) Brazil, (c) Iraq, (d) Israel, (e) Iran, (f) India, (g) Pakistan, (h) North Korea and (i) the Republic of South Africa have developed the capability to build and deliver nuclear weapons; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Waldegrave

Iraq and Iran are both states party to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT) and, as such, have undertaken not to develop a nuclear weapons capability. North Korea, although not recognised as a state by Her Majesty's Government, is also a party to the NPT. South Africa has expressed interest in adhering to the NPT, and has held talks with the depositary powers. Argentina and Brazil have both signed the treaty of Tlatelolco, which bans nuclear weapons in Latin America. All of the countries listed in the question have always declared that their nuclear activities are exclusively for peaceful purposes. We take every suitable opportunity to stress the importance of the international non-proliferation regime and of securing universal adherence to the NPT.

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