Global multilateral treaties

• The Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare (Geneva Protocol) of 1925. In force.

• The Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space and under Water (Partial Test-Ban Treaty) of 1963 prohibits all nuclear explosions, military or peaceful, in the atmosphere, in outer space and under water. It is a partial measure in that it does not ban underground tests. The General Assembly has repeatedly urged conclusion of a comprehensive treaty banning all tests by all States, including those conducted underground. In force.

• The Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (Outer Space Treaty) of 1967 bans the placing of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction in Earth orbit, or the stationing of such weapons in outer space or on celestial bodies. It also forbids the establishment of military bases, installations and fortifications, the testing of any type of weapon and the conduct of military manoeuvres on celestial bodies. In force.

• The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (Non-Proliferation Treaty) of 1968 aims at the prevention of the spread of nuclear weapons to non-nuclear-weapon countries, at promoting the process of nuclear disarmament and at facilitating access to nuclear technology for peaceful purposes for all parties to the Treaty. In force.

• The Treaty on the Prohibition of the Emplacement of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction on the Sea-Bed and the Ocean Floor and in the Subsoil Thereof (Sea-Bed Treaty) of 1971 bans the placement of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction and facilities for such weapons on or under the sea-bed anywhere outside a 12-mile limit from the coastal line. In force.

• The Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction (Biological Weapons Convention) of 1972 bans and eliminates all forms of biological weapons. It is the first international agreement providing for a genuine measure of disarmament, in the sense that it not only prohibits the development, production, stockpiling and acquisition of biological (bacteriological) agents or toxins and of weapons and means of delivery for such agents for hostile purposes, but also mandates their destruction or conversion to peaceful purposes. In force.

• The Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques of 1977 prohibits the use of techniques that would have widespread, long-lasting or severe effects through deliberate manipulation of natural processes and cause such phenomena as earthquakes, tidal waves and changes in climate and in weather patterns. In force.

• The Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (Agreement on Celestial Bodies) of 1979 complements the Outer Space Treaty of 1967. It prohibits, inter alia, the use of the Moon and other celestial bodies for military purposes. In force.

• The Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects (Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons) of 1981 restricts or prohibits the use of any weapon which injures by fragments non-detectable in the human body (Protocol I), mines and booby traps (Protocol II) and incendiary weapons (Protocol III). These rules range from a complete ban on the use of such weapons to restrictions on their use in conditions that would cause incidental loss of life or injury to civilians, or damage to civilian objects. In force.

• The Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction (Chemical Weapons Convention) of 1993. This agreement, which bans an entire category of weapons of mass destruction and provides for the destruction of existing stocks, incorporates a complex, intrusive verification system. Not yet in force.

• Additional Protocol to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (Protocol IV) of 1995 prohibits the employment of laser weapons specifically designed, as their sole combat function or one of their functions, to cause permanent blindness to the naked eye, and the transfer of such weapons. Not yet in force.

(Provided by the United Nations Centre for Disarmament Affairs)

TASK 15.Find the English equivalents of the following Russian word combinations in the text. Learn them by heart.

 

A

Совместные усилия; пройти через несколько стадий; тщательное изучение; разъяснить вопросы; выявить проблемы; расчистить путь для…; придерживаться договора; войти в силу (о договоре); выполнять требования; проверка соблюдения договора; предпринимать меры; обеспечивать соблюдение договора; предотвращать дальнейшие нарушения.

 

Б

Удушающие и отравляющие газы; в космическом пространстве; частичная мера; призывать к заключению всеобъемлющего договора; исследование космоса; размещение оружия на земной орбите; развёртывать оружие на небесных телах; проведение военных манёвров; способствовать доступу к ядерной технологии; для мирных целей; на морском дне; на дне океана; береговая линия; накопление и приобретение биологических (бактериологических) отравляющих веществ; средства доставки; вызывать землетрясения; дополнять договор; в военных целях; мины-ловушки; причинить увечья; предусматривать уничтожение существующих запасов; передача оружия.

 

 

TASK 16.Extend the strings by adding at least one word to each. Translate the word combinations into Russian and learn them.

· commit: an error, a sin, a murder, aggression, a breach of the peace/of promise, suicide, resources, troops, oneself, …

· clarify: one’s meaning/idea/words/position, relations, …

· culminate in/with: a revolution, a battle, a victory, …

· adhere to: a principle, a decision, a cause, rules, the middle course, …

· implement: one’s obligation, a project, a policy, a plan/scheme, a treaty, the provisions of a convention, …

· comply with: smb’s request/wish, rules, …

· undertake: a journey, a task, a crusade, an endeavour, responsibility, a responsible post, a guarantee, the maintenance (of), the realization (of), reforms, …

· amend: one’s way of living/conduct/manners, a bill, a text, a resolution, …

· promote: smb to the rank of general, trade, a scheme, a bill, a candidate, international understanding, development, progress, smb’s success, …

· facilitate: the execution of a task, economic recovery, housework, research, an experiment, restructuring, modernization, an overhaul, an exchange (of), the application of IAEA guarantees, …

· acquire: knowledge, skills, friends, fame, popularity, a reputation (for), weapons, …

· convert: securities into cash, smb into a Catholic, …

· complement: a team, a crew, a set, each other, one another, …

· restrict: smb’s freedom/power/initiative, one’s speech to three points, the application of a method, access to, …

· incorporate: a suggestion in a plan, progressive ideas in a constitution, new words, the newest information, …

· verify: a statement, figures/numbers, an account, details, texts, citations in a book/report, smb’s compliance with a treaty, …

 

 

TASK 17.Fill the blanks with the words from the previous exercise.

 

1. The US Vice President’s 10-day Middle East mission was undertaken to ______ US intentions toward Iraq.

2. We witness the growth of Russian companies as they diversify at home and ______ assets abroad in Eastern Europe and elsewhere.

3. A senior Israeli military official said Wednesday that there was no point in America’s ______ a diplomatic mission to rebuild the Palestinian security force while Yasser Arafat was in charge […]. (IHT, May 17, 2002, p.8).

4. A language owes most of its vigor not to what it rejects but to what it can ______ within itself (Johann Von Goethe).

5. On this issue the British approach ______ the American approach.

6. One of the factors widely assumed to ______ American options [concerning the beginning of the American campaign in Iraq] is the climate. (Econ., February 1-7, 2003, p.26).

7. Meeting in Istambul on January 23rd, the foreign ministers of Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria (also currently a non-voting member of the Security Council) and Iran issued a blunt warning to Iraq to ______ with the council’s disarmament demand or face the consequences. (Ibid., p.24).

8. America and Britain say that if Iraq under its present management got hold of a nuclear or biological bomb, this would be so dangerous that it would be worth going to war to prevent it. Many other governments demur. And it is hard to see how extra time will ______ them. (Ibid., p.11).

9. The Embassy conceded that there may be inconveniences as the new visa regime is ______.

10. Ronald Reagan was fond of the Russian proverb “Trust but _______” and made use of it on several occasions when dealing with Michail Gorbachev.

11. The implementation of his vision of African socialism ______ in Tanzania’s withdrawal from the mainstream of commerce on the continent.

12. The Maastricht Treaty substantially increased the European Parliament’s power: now the Parliament could either ______ the Council’s draft legislation or withhold it “assent” to Council decisions in certain areas.

13. The NPT says that we must ______ peace and security with the least diversion for armament of the world’s human and economic resources.

14. In 1987 the requirement of unanimity in the European Council was replaced in some areas by qualified majority voting, in order to ______ the passage of legislation.

 

 

TASK 18.Extend the strings by adding at least one word to each. Translate the word combinations into Russian and learn them by heart.

 

· in-depth: study, discussion, report, analysis, …

· deliberative: assembly, body, committee, powers, person, …

· comprehensive: account, report, description, definition, term, collection of works, knowledge, information, disarmament, …

· genuine: text, manuscript, diamond, Malevich, sorrow, sympathy, respect, …

· incendiary: bomb, crime, speech, leaflet, ideas, …

· intrusive: advertising, slogans, melody/tune, neighbours, …

TASK 19.Concentrate on the problem of word distribution (the combining capacity of words) in the Russian and English languages. Think over translation of the following phrases.