Nations say US shirks its arms vows
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The spotlight shifts at nuclear conference
By Farah Stockman, Globe Staff | May 9, 2005
UNITED NATIONS -- The United States is seeking to use a major UN conference on nuclear nonproliferation to highlight the dangers of North Korea and Iran, but has been undermined by allegations from some developing countries that Washington itself has backtracked on commitments to reduce its nuclear arsenal, according to UN diplomats and delegates to the conference.
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One week into the four-week conference, delegates have failed to agree on an agenda, while the United States insists on focusing on the threat of rogue states and terrorist groups and developing countries insist on talking about unfulfilled US pledges.
The conference is aimed at strengthening the landmark 1970 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, widely considered to be the world's most important arms-control blueprint. Nearly every nation in the world has signed on. Three that haven't -- Pakistan, India, and Israel -- have either acquired nuclear weapons or are believed to have done so.
Many delegates say the treaty is in jeopardy, as member states wrestle with how to handle Iran, which is suspected of developing a military nuclear program, and North Korea, which pulled out of the treaty in 2003 and could be preparing for its first nuclear test. Some delegates warn that the treaty could unravel if the states with nuclear weapons give up on their promises to eliminate them.
The Bush administration, which has expressed skepticism about the usefulness of several international agreements, is addressing the challenges outside the formal discussions about the treaty in talks with North Korea's neighbors and by supporting negotiations between Iran, Britain, France, and Germany.
Washington is also hoping to build a consensus for enforcement measures that "
The spotlight shifts at nuclear conference
By Farah Stockman, Globe Staff | May 9, 2005
UNITED NATIONS -- The United States is seeking to use a major UN conference on nuclear nonproliferation to highlight the dangers of North Korea and Iran, but has been undermined by allegations from some developing countries that Washington itself has backtracked on commitments to reduce its nuclear arsenal, according to UN diplomats and delegates to the conference.
ADVERTISEMENT
Click here
One week into the four-week conference, delegates have failed to agree on an agenda, while the United States insists on focusing on the threat of rogue states and terrorist groups and developing countries insist on talking about unfulfilled US pledges.
The conference is aimed at strengthening the landmark 1970 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, widely considered to be the world's most important arms-control blueprint. Nearly every nation in the world has signed on. Three that haven't -- Pakistan, India, and Israel -- have either acquired nuclear weapons or are believed to have done so.
Many delegates say the treaty is in jeopardy, as member states wrestle with how to handle Iran, which is suspected of developing a military nuclear program, and North Korea, which pulled out of the treaty in 2003 and could be preparing for its first nuclear test. Some delegates warn that the treaty could unravel if the states with nuclear weapons give up on their promises to eliminate them.
The Bush administration, which has expressed skepticism about the usefulness of several international agreements, is addressing the challenges outside the formal discussions about the treaty in talks with North Korea's neighbors and by supporting negotiations between Iran, Britain, France, and Germany.
Washington is also hoping to build a consensus for enforcement measures that "
posted by Greta Jane at Wednesday, May 11, 2005
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