Antarctic Treaty

Full Text: http://www.nsf.gov/od/opp/antarct/anttrty.htm

This treaty mandated that Antarctica be used for peaceful purposes only. It prohibited any nuclear explosions and the disposal of radioactive waste there. It is considered a model for nations working together to prevent conflict before it develops and it served as a precedent for later treaties excluding nuclear weapons from various zones.

Signed at Washington December 1, 1959.

Entered into force June 23, 1961. Parties: Argentina (1961), Australia (1961), Austria (1987), Belgium (1960), Brazil (1975), Bulgaria (1978), Canada, Chile (1961), China (1983), Colombia, Cuba (1984), Czech Republic (1962), Denmark (1965), Ecuador (1987), Finland (1984), France (1960), Germany (West: 1974; East: 1979), Greece (1987), Guatemala, Hungary (1984), India (1983), Italy (1981), Japan (1960), New Zealand (1960), North Korea (1987), Norway (1960), Papua New Guinea (1981), Peru (1981), Poland (1961), Romania (1971), Slovak Republic (1962), South Africa (1960), South Korea (1986), Spain (1982), Sweden (1984), Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (1960), United Kingdom (1960), United States (1960), Uruguay (1980), Venezuela