TNAG-0005-FCO40-41-Departmental-briefs-about-Hong-Kong-1968 — Page 41

obligations of nuclear-weapon states and non-nuclear-

weapon states. For the purposes of the Treaty a

nucl cop-weapon state is defined (in Article IX (3))

as one which has manufactured and exploded a

nuclear weapon or other nuclear explosive device

prior to 1 January 1967. There are five states

in this category of which the United Kingdom, the

United States and the U.S.S.R. are signatories of

the Treaty. France and China the other two

states concerned have not signed the Treaty.

The Treaty contains no direct reference to the

position of non-metropolitan territories in

relation to it, nor is there any means of securing

agreement to a general understanding on this.

Cur own view, which is shared by the United States,

is that non-metropolitan territories in respect of

which the Treaty is ratified will, for the purposes

of the Treaty, be considered as part of a nuclear-

weapon-state status but will be eligible to

become states party to the Treaty as non-nuclear-

weapon states.

4. The only practical effect for present purposes

of the distinction between non-nuclear-weapon stated

and nuclear-weapon states lies in the application

(3430 Dd.033246 600m 9/66 G.W.B.Ltd. Gp.863

/of

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