Non-proliferation is the term we use to describe efforts to prevent the spreading of weapons of mass destruction. Non-proliferation has been a central theme in international security co-operation for several decades. We aim through formal and informal co-operation to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction (nuclear weapons, biological weapons and chemical weapons) and means of delivery for such weapons, such as long-range missiles.
Export control
As noted in our terms of reference, an important element of non-proliferation efforts is to prevent goods or services that can be used in the development of weapons of mass destruction from being exported to parties who do not abide by international instruments governing non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. A good national export control system helps to reduce the threat of international proliferation.
Partners in national co-operation
On non-proliferation issues at a national level, PST works especially in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Section for Export Control, The Norwegian Intelligence Service, the Customs Service, the Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, the Armed Forces Research Establishment (Norwegian abbreviation: FFI) and the Institute of Microbiology, Armed Forces Medical Services. Because of different areas of responsibility and functions, non-proliferation efforts require close co-operation between the key institutions.
International co-operation
Norway has ratified a number of UN conventions dealing with non-proliferation and disarmament.
Norway also participates in several international forums that were created to prevent the spreading of weapons of mass destruction, etc.
The Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) is one such international co-operation initiative aimed at preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction. To co-ordinate Norway’s participation in PSI, one step taken has been to form an interdepartmental contact group who will ensure a co-ordinated Norwegian contribution to discussions within PSI and provide support to exercises and real response efforts if they arise. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs heads the contact group. Other heavily involved ministries are the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Finance.
Norway also participates in several international control regimes. Control regimes are dealt with in further detail under a separate subject heading.
In September, 2006 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs published a document on the Norwegian Foreign policy strategy for combating international terrorism. The efforts to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is described in this publication, which is available on the MFA website.
Goods and technology of a strategic nature
A significant part of PST's preventive activity in the non-proliferation area is to offer information on export control rules to Norwegian institutions and businesses that possess goods and technology of a strategic nature. Such entities can be the target for attempts by foreign countries to obtain this type of product illegally. It is a fact that unscrupulous buyers establish networks of ‘fronting’ businesses and dealers who make use of covert end users or operate with false certificates and declarations to conceal the identity of the real end user.
Such business transactions can be done through a chain with three or four links and involve several countries before they finally reach the end user.
PST is working actively to uncover illegal procurement activity. In these efforts we need people to report incidents so that we get the best possible picture of the illegal procurement activity that is being carried out.
Radioactive material
Another important area is illegal trade in radioactive materials. We face a threat of theft of radioactive material, in our neighbouring country Russia, among others, and subsequent sale and export to countries, non-state entities or terrorist organisations. Norway can be a possible transit country for such illegal activity. Other incidents in which radioactive material goes astray are also of interest to PST.