Year
2001
Abstract
Throughout the years, the nature of verification has evolved as practical experience increases and as verification objectives become diversified. One priority of international treaty-implementing organizations is exploring the development of a synergistic and coordinated approach to WMD policy making that takes into account existing inter-linkages between nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons issues. An important lesson is that verification in any specific instance would likely benefit from the experience gained and methods used in the implementation of verification measures in a different context. As a result, member states must encourage and facilitate the development of communication channels and other contacts among verification implementing organizations. These efforts eventually will result in the promotion of inter-linkages between multilateral efforts in terms of (a) information systems and information exchanges, (b) funding sources, (c) crisis management strategies, (d) scientific verification mechanisms, and (e) synergies for sustainable development. This paper discusses similarities between nuclear and chemical weapons arms control in terms of verification methodologies and the potential for shared applications of safeguards technologies.