[Novella Islands]

The Novellan delegation to the League of IDU Nations was not well known for being a particularly proactive force in international affairs. Indeed, their modus operandi typically involved maintaining a delicately balanced air of neutrality on most matters... right up to the point that they could deliver a well-calculated and critical blow, and only ever on matters that affected the Social Republic's own affairs.

The proposal tabled today was, of course, no different. As the clerk read the orders of the day for the Budgetary & Internal Affairs Council, she gave a considerable pause before continuing. "Item number two, BIAC/PROP/2/A and /B, tabled by the... Social Republic of the Novella Islands?"

The sole present Novellan, a young staffer, stood with a nod, confirming the council secretary's suspicions. "Yes, as tabled, Ms Secretary. Thank you." Those seven words were all the instruction he had been given by the senior members of his party; as to whether it was unfounded hubris or well placed confidence, well... that was up to the whims of any other state parties that were present. As he sat back down, he texted a message of confirmation to his superiors, as the clerk continued.

"Very well. Debate will shortly begin on... On the Formation of an International Nuclear Safety Authority, after a brief recess to give the state parties time to read the tabled proposal."

BIAC-PROP-2-A - On the Formation of an International Nuclear Safety Authority.pdf Size: 247.34 KB  Downloads: 35

BIAC-PROP-2-B.2 - Statute of the International Nuclear Safety Authority.pdf Size: 251 KB  Downloads: 23

Previous Revisions:

BIAC-PROP-2-B - Statute of the International Nuclear Safety Authority.pdf Size: 228.69 KB  Downloads: 24

[Aredoa]

After reading through the content of the proposals, the Aredoan representative in the Council caught the chair's eye and stood to speak.

"Thank you, Ms Secretary. The Republic of Aredoa notes the efforts being put forward by the Novellan delegation to address the issues of nuclear safety and non-proliferation. We acknowledge the importance of nuclear safety and the many civilian applications of nuclear science."

"Yet it is equally important that in any pursuit of scientific progress, we acknowledge the dual-use nature of nuclear science. It is not all sunshine and rainbows, far from it. I would like to seek clarification as to what safeguards the INSA has in place to prevent any assistance it provides from inadvertently contributing to military purposes, because I do not believe anything laid out in the proposal is sufficient in this regard. It would be unacceptable for a body of the LIDUN to contribute to further nuclear militarisation, even if unintentionally."

"Continuing, I must note our grave concern that this proposal could further normalise and destigmatise the possession of nuclear weapons, which is a path that the world cannot go down. Let me be crystal clear: nuclear weapons are the most inhumane tool that humankind possesses, with their destructive and indiscriminate nature posing an unrivalled threat to the world. Can we, in good conscience, allow the continued existence of weapons of mass destruction that jeopardise the wellbeing of all humanity?"

"It is not enough to merely seek to prevent further nuclear proliferation. A world free from the scourge of nuclear weapons should be the ultimate goal of the INSA. This new body must take a harsher stance against nuclear armaments than is currently outlined by its functions and powers. As such, we propose that ratification of the INSA's statute should only follow an amendment to Article VII of Prop. 2/B - inserting that the INSA shall actively and unequivocally champion and facilitate nuclear disarmament wherever possible."

With a nod and slight smile given to the room at the conclusion of their speech, the representative resumed their seat and returned to whispering with the delegation's junior staffers.

[Doatia]

Running late as usual, the Doatian delegate to the council rushed into the room. Rushing to their seat, dropping several folders and papers on their desk, some falling to the floor. After getting situated and organized, the delegate rose to address the council.

"I thank the delegations from Novella Islands and Aredoa for their engagement on this topic. After a thorough review by the Doatian delegation to LIDUN, as well as independent review of the proposal brought before the council by Chancellor Recardo, we have reached a conclusion. We unequivocally support any initiative to better regulate Nuclear science, including energy production, weapon production, overall maintenance and safety, and the proper disposal of nuclear waste. We recognize nuclear technology as a means to better the world, but it comes with a price no one should have to pay.

Nuclear technology may have been revolutionary, but it also has led to a nuclear arms race of sorts which threatens the stability of everyone who calls the IDU home. We have a responsibility not only to properly regulate and oversee nuclear power and development, but to discourage it's use outright. With the threat of nuclear proliferation constantly on the horizon, it is our view that the INSA be amended to reflect these concerns.

Steps towards nuclear disarmament, as well as discouraging energy production utilizing nuclear power plants must be adopted within the proposal brought before this council. We must remain vigilant towards all threats to humankind, and few are as severe as nuclear power.

This technology must be strictly regulated, with steps to prevent member-nations from increasing or enhancing their nuclear arsenal, properly disposing of nuclear waste, a transition away from any reliance on nuclear power production, and encouraging disarmament must be central to the INSA's mission.

Amendments to this effect are therefore a condition for Doatia's support for this proposal."

[Lauchenoiria]

The Kerlian Ambassador to LIDUN, Marzanna Starosta, stood to speak.

"Kerlile would be pleased to support this proposal," she announced calmly, even as she registered the surprise going around the room. "We know the risks associated with the handling of nuclear materials, and the consequences should safety measures fail, or should corners be cut. Ensuring the safety of installations such as nuclear power plants is paramount, and so we are pleased to support this proposal as written."

The Lauchenoirians also expressed their general support, though they had only a single power plant and no weapons. The Zongongians, who had no nuclear facilities at all themselves, seemed even more eager. The Glannish, once again, waited for the Opthelians to take the lead.

[Novella Islands]

The eyes of the Novella Islands' junior attaché widened as he quickly reviewed the proposal on the table. He realised, with a sinking feeling, that he had tabled an outdated version. Panic briefly washed over him, but he took a deep breath, determined to rectify the situation. He quickly stood and caught the attention of the clerk. "Apologies, Ms Secretary. It appears that there has been a mistake, and the version of the proposal I presented earlier was not the most up-to-date one. If I may, I would like to table a revised version of the proposal for the council's consideration."

As he retrieved his tablet and accessed the correct document, he sent a frantic message to his superiors, informing them of the error, and of his intention to present the updated version immediately. Clearing his throat, he began. "The Novella Islands would like to amend the tabled proposal for the Statute of the International Nuclear Safety Authority, BIAC/PROP/2/B, with a revised version, BIAC/PROP/2/B.2, which contains additional provisions that address the concerns raised by the esteemed representatives from Aredoa and Doatia... at least, with respect to monitoring nuclear weapons, for states who are party to at least one non-proliferation treaty."

He proceeded to explain the amendments, including stronger inspection protocols, and in particular the specific wording which would ensure INSA would only apply to those states who later ratified the statute, itself. However, in the back of his mind, he was still cognisant that there was a real danger of the other states turning INSA into a political vehicle for advancing disarmament affairs... a concept which the Novella Islands desperately wanted to avoid; better to leave that to the parallel regime of treaties, such as SALIENT.

"The Novellan delegation strongly believes that these amendments will enhance the effectiveness and integrity of the International Nuclear Safety Authority, ensuring its commitment not only to nuclear safety, but also to the larger goal of a world free from the dangers of nuclear weapons," he concluded, holding his breath for a moment at the half-truth he just uttered. Yes, INSA would uphold treaty obligations, but it wouldn't form new ones overnight.

In any case, as he awaited the response from the rest of the chamber, he couldn't help but feel a mix of nerves and anticipation. The fate of the Novellan delegation's proposal now hinged on the council's willingness to consider the revised version, which better reflected their intentions and addressed the variety of concerns raised by other delegations.

[Xiomera]

Ambassador Tetlahue stood up next. "As long as accession to this statute remains voluntary, the Xiomeran Empire will not oppose this proposal. We do not plan to participate in the INSA, as we are confident in our own ability to manage our nuclear arsenal and nuclear power plants. However, as long as we are not forced to do so, we will not object if other states choose to subject themselves to its authority."

[Doatia]

The delegate from Doatia to the council, Ambassador Christina Alvero, spoke to the full Doatian delegation after recent amendments to the proposal. The delegation quickly approved of the proposal. Upon returning the the chamber floor, she listened intently to the remarks from Ambassador Tetlahue, and she quickly grew frustrated. She rose to be recognized again.

"Firstly, the Doatian Delegation would like to make clear that we support the amendments to the INSA proposal. We appreciate the concerns of our own delegation, along with that of Aredoa, being taken into consideration.

That said, we rise in opposition to the remarks from Ambassador Tetlahue. The INSA's effectiveness would be restricted without universal compliance to INSA regulation and oversight. While agreement to specific agreements and treaties regarding nuclear proliferation remains voluntary, compliance with this proposals language should be mandated for LIDUN member-nations. After all, the aim of this proposal is not to restrict nuclear weapons development, but rather regulate it to ensure it follows relevant laws and guidelines, specifically around safety. Allowing members to "opt out" (the delegate said with air quotation marks) will subject citizens to the very risks and dangers we're aiming to prevent. So long as a member is not a member of an agreement or treaty which further restricts their autonomy regarding nuclear weapons and technology, such as SALIENT, they wouldn't be subject to its restrictions.

The implementation and participation of this proposal must be universal amongst LIDUN nations"

She slammed her papers on the desk and sat down.

[Xiomera]

Tetlahue stood back up and smiled tightly. "If you want to discourage nations from being members of LIDUN altogether, Ambassador Alvero, forcible mandates that do not take the spirit of international cooperation into account are an excellent way to accomplish that. Xiomera chooses to be part of this body in order to try to work with the international community, but we also are here to protect our interests. We will always be opposed to being forced to do something. I would argue that maintaining a spirit of voluntary cooperation between nations, which will encourage us to remain here, is far better for the world than forcing us outside LIDUN with mandates - and thus limiting the ability of the international community to engage with us and work with us."

Tetlahue sat back down, the forced smile remaining on his face. Xiomera had left the World Assembly, so leaving LIDUN was no idle threat. If the good Doatian ambassador really wanted a rogue Xiomera that was completely out of international control, that could happen.

[Doatia]

Ambassador Alvero left the chamber after Ambassador Tetlahue's remarks. Returning to Doatia's suite of offices in the League HQ, she went to her office. Her secretary runs in to inform her that she's been summoned by phone by the Chancellor. After a lengthy and heated conversation, the Chancellor insisted the Ambassador return to the chamber at once.

Running from her office, she took off her heels and darted down hallways. After just having missed the elevator, she opted for the stairs and darted up several flights. Disrupting the chamber with her abrupt and dramatic entrance, she approached Doatia's post.

After quickly catching her breath, she rose to be recognized.

"Perhaps our Xiomeran friends could agree to a compromise. Some show of partnership with the international community. A type of agreement, specific to Xiomera's concerns, which is also cooperative in some form with the INSA. I also insist to our Imperial allies that our intention was never to called Xiomera's membership within this body into question, but rather ensuring the INSA is effective in all member nations across the IDU"

Sitting, she looked pointedly in Ambassador Tetlahue's direction, attempting to read his initial reaction and anticipate his response.

[Laeral]

Jamis Huang, Laeralian representative present at the meeting, stood and activated his microphone upon recognition from the chair. "Maximizing the potential for humanity afforded by the power of the atom, while safeguarding humankind from the threat posed by its misuse, has been a key objective in international diplomacy for many decades. Laeral has stood at the forefront of these efforts, from our initial ventures into nuclear energy to former President Brennan's effort to initiate the New SALIENT treaty for nuclear disarmament, and we are committed to advancing responsible stewardship of nuclear energy worldwide."

A scholar of nuclear history might have scoffed at the revisionist history in the sweeping statement Huang had made—indeed, the early years of the Laeralian nuclear arms program had hardly been governed by thoughts of responsible stewardship—but Huang was too skilled of a diplomat to allow his image of sincerity to waver.

"In keeping with our work towards nuclear security and the safe use of nuclear power worldwide, Laeral stands in support of the resolution tabled by the Novellan delegation, as drafted. Building a stronger architecture for nuclear security is the responsibility of every state, and we hope that this resolution is enacted swiftly and that all states see fit to enter membership in the International Nuclear Safety Authority."

[Novella Islands]

At once, it had become Opthelia's turn to weigh in on the proposal, the council clerk's calling of the Opthelian Deputy Head of Mission by name startling him from his half-asleep state; the minutiae of nuclear safety were not exactly the most riveting of issues, for a man who had barely scraped a pass in his physics education as a child, after all. Nevertheless, he had an official government position to represent, and so adjusted his tie as he stood to speak on the proposal.

"The Empire of Opthelia supports both the broad concept of nuclear safety as an issue of international importance, and the specific form of the body put forward in this proposal. As a state that makes use of nuclear materials for both civilian purposes such as energy and medicine, and in their military form as the nuclear deterrent, we are acutely aware of the many issues possession and application of nuclear technology presents."

Opthelia was a relative late bloomer in the field of nuclear science, at least a decade behind that of other states, owing to their relatively recent industrialisation as a nation. It stood to reason that it would be best to learn from the mistakes of other states, and to grab any support they would offer with both hands. "We welcome the opportunity the contribute, in both material and technical form - and to receive assistance, if and when the need arises - to the advancement of nuclear safety."

[Democratic Republic Of Eiria]

Ambassador Markus Kaltē, who had rushed from his previous meeting in order to be present at this BIAC session, waited for acknowledgement before speaking. "Thank you all for your contributions to this vital discussion. Now, if I may, I would like to raise another concern."

"While there was a lot of debate on how binding this resolution would be - and I would like to echo the Doatian concern of opt-outs - there is a related issue that must be discussed. In the unfortunate case that a nuclear disaster would occur in a nation that is not a signatory of INSA, the ecology of that nation's neighbors may also be in grave danger."

"As such, I must urge that a clause be added that gives analysts from the INSA the ability to enter any LIDUN nation in the case of a spill or some other nuclear incident. Before anyone screams about 'territorial sovereignty,' I must remind you that nuclear disasters do not care about borders. Radiation will not stop at the arbitrary lines between nations. As such, nuclear disasters are truly international problems that require international cooperation to solve."

The Eirian coughed into his arm before continuing. "To ease more of your concerns, I do not propose to add this clause without restriction or other policy. Our delegation is already drafting a proposal for a mechanism that would allow LIDUN agencies to draft travel documents. This proposal will not ask for special treatment of LIDUN workers, just the ability to do their jobs for the good of the world. Thank you."

[Lauchenoiria]

Ambassador Marzanna Starosta of Kerlile had been chewing on her lip throughout Kaltē's speech. She scribbled a couple of notes and then switched on her own mic to respond.

"Thank you, Ambassador Kaltē, for your desire to protect the entirety of the IDU from nuclear disasters. While Kerlile would have no specific concerns in the present day about your amendment, it would be remiss of me not to mention the potential risks of such a proposal on the LIDUN workers in question. Now, as you know..."

She paused, trying to figure out how to word this within the restraints of Kerlian diplomatic policy. "As you know, Kerlile's border policy has changed radically in recent years. In a hypothetical where we were to have a nuclear disaster, we would certainly allow workers from LIDUN to assist, in this year, 2023 of the common calendar. Now, however, in the hypothetical where the exact same thing occurred in 2017... well. That would have caused significant problems, as I'm sure many of you are picturing now all too vividly."

"At the risk of sounding blunt, it is unsafe and unethical to send civilian workers into a country that does not consent to their presence. Now, we would support a proposal that allows INSA analysts to enter non-signatory countries with the consent of the nation in question regarding specific instances that come up in the future. Now, most governments are not run by complete fools. The most likely scenario if a nuclear disaster was to occur anywhere is that either the nation in question is capable of responding to the situation without outside help, or that they will choose to ask for help. Those few countries whose leaders might, say, send cats to clear up a nuclear spill or any other such nonsense, are few and far between. Besides, the nation in said example is not a LIDUN member regardless."