"Nuclear issues had for many years by then been a topic for discussion (South Pacific Forum Communique, 1983: 2) the idea of a nuclear free zone had been brought back to the forum by Australia, and the draft was the result of much negotiating from then Australian foreign minister (South Pacific Forum Communique, 1983: 3)."
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Treaty of Rarotonga

The South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty (a.k.a. Treaty of Rarotonga) (SPNFZ) was signed at Rarotonga (Cook islands), on the 6th of August, 1985 and entered into force on the 11th of December, 1986.

The Treaty of Rarotonga is a regional arms control measure aimed at promoting global security, as well as the security of individual nations, by reversing the nuclear arms race (see Treaty of Rarotonga - preamble)

The Treaty of Rarotonga follows on from three very important treaties.

The "Treaty on the Prohibition of the Emplacement of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction on the Seabed and the Ocean Floor" (a.k.a. "Seabed treaty") (1971), which seeks to exclude the sea-bed from the arms race by preventing states from emplacing W.M.D. or their launching devices on the seabed. The "Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapons Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space, and Under Water" (a.k.a. Partial Test Ban Treaty) (1963), which places limitations on the testing of nuclear weapons testing. And, "The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons" (NPT) (1968), Article VII of which recognises the rights of states to conclude regional nuclear free zones.

The Treaty of Rarotonga stems from a decision taken at the fifteenth South Pacific Forum at Tuvalu.

Nuclear issues had for many years by then been a topic for discussion (South Pacific Forum Communique, 1983: 2) the idea of a nuclear free zone had been brought back to the forum by Australia, and the draft was the result of much negotiating from then Australian foreign minister (South Pacific Forum Communique, 1983: 3). Forum countries where against further nuclear testing in the pacific, and the prospect of nuclear waste dumping in the pacific (South Pacific Forum Communique, 1983: 2; 1984: 2). Further, forum countries were disappointed with the lack of progress towards nuclear disarmament (South Pacific Forum Communique, 1984: 2). It was hoped that progress towards a nuclear free zone would further efforts towards disarmament in the leadup to the 1985 NPT review conference.

Article three contains the substantive body of the text with regard to nuclear weapons. In article three state parties agree not to 'manufacture or otherwise acquire, possess or have control over any nuclear explosive device, either inside or outside of the nuclear free zone's territory (SPNFZ - Article 3), nor to seek or receive assistance in the manufacture of nuclear explosive devices, not to themselves assist in the manufacture of such devices.

Article four involves supply side restrictions for state parties that are nuclear materials suppliers, states agree not to provide source or special fissionable material to non NWS unless subject to the safeguards required by the NPT, article three. Or to any NWS unless subject to safeguards with the IAEA. Nuclear free zone states are also required by the treaty to provide such materials 'exclusively for peaceful non-explosive use' (article 4)

In article 5 states are required to not allow the stationing of nuclear weapons on their territory, however they are allowed to decide, as sovereign nations, whether or not they will allow visits from foreign ships and aircraft.

In article 6 states agree not to allow nuclear testing in their own territory, or assist and state in nuclear testing.

In article 7 states agree to not dump nuclear materials at sea with the nuclear free zone, or to allow any other state to do so.

The Treaty of Rarotonga has been boosted by the addition of three protocols which involve states external to the geographic scope of the treaty.

The first protocol, open to signature and ratification by France, the U.K, and the U.S.A. Calls on parties to adhere to the prohibions of articles three, five, and six, of the treaty, with respect of territories within the treaty zone for which they are responsible.

Protocol two was opened for signature and ratification by the world's Nuclear Weapons States (NWS), France, (the then) U.S.S.R., U.K., U.S.A. And China. Protocol two contains what is known as a negative security assurance. The parties to protocol two agree not to use, or threaten to use a nuclear weapon against a state party to the treaty of rarotonga, or a territory within the SPNFZ for which a party to protocol one is internationally responsible. This sort of agreement is labelled a negative security assurance because it is a restraint on possible actions, parties agree not to do something.

Protocol Three is again open for signature and ratification by all NWS, parties to protocol three agree not to test nuclear explosive devices anywhere in the SPNWFZ.