On-site Inspection for Compliance with Treaties

Abstract

On-site inspections (OSIs) cannot be examined in isolation. They are only one part of a ‘system’ by which we can attempt to verify compliance with the terms of an arms control treaty. Included in such a system will be public information available through national and international channels; private, national information obtained through National Technical Means (NTM); and such other information and data as can be accessed through the normal intergovernmental and commercial channels. However, OSIs do have a special place in the verification system in that they provide a unique kind of access and usually an on-site presence. OSIs can be defined as inspections carried out by personnel of the verifying parties or by instruments emplaced on the site to be inspected. It may be that physical presence of the inspectors on the site to be inspected is not necessary or even desirable (in a hostile physical environment for instance). However, it is to be expected that any instruments used by the inspectors to carry out the inspection be under their control. Sites to be inspected might consist of specific sites located on land, whether above ground or below ground; mobile equipment including ships, trucks, or tanks; aircraft or other mobile facilities; or even defined areas of air, water or space. Sites can also include commercial facilities such as industrial plants, specialised facilities such as seabed mineral or oil extraction facilities, or offshore oil rigs.