NAM calls for 'realistic' NPT review

NAM calls for 'realistic' NPT review

UNITED NATIONS (Agencies): The nuclear Non-Proliferation
Treaty's (NPT) possible extension should be based on "realistic
assessment" of all signatories' responsibilities, the
representative of 111 developing countries said.

Speaking at the opening of an international conference for
review and renewal of the 25-year-old treaty, Izhar Ibrahim, head
of the Indonesian delegation and coordinator of the Non-Aligned
Movement, called the event a "unique opportunity to assess in
depth the performance of the treaty."

Ibrahim said on Monday the representatives of the total 178
signatories should conduct a "careful examination" of the treaty
and "strengthen the regime in all its aspects."

He cited three main objectives aimed at reinforcing world
peace and security: total elimination of nuclear weapons,
promotion of the peaceful uses of atomic energy and universal
adherence to the NPT.

However, the Indonesian delegate avoided on day one of the
four-week conference jumping into debate with the West on the
nettlesome issue of how long the treaty should be extended.

The United States and its allies are seeking indefinite,
unconditional extension of the 1970 treaty. Some developing
countries insist any extension be limited to one or more set
periods, in hopes of pressuring the nuclear weapons powers to
accelerate disarmament.

Symbolic of the mistrust between the West and the non-
aligneds, no agreement was reached, either Monday or over the
weekend, on the procedures for voting on extension of the treaty
toward the end of the conference May 12.

The West wants a public vote, while some non-aligned nations
prefer a secret ballot so they can vote without heavy-handed
pressure from Washington and its allies to extend the treaty
indefinitely.

Indonesia is also in favor of a secret ballot on the final
vote to avoid a public showdown, an issue not settled yet by the
conference. The West wants an open vote.

The U.S. and the West believe they have a majority of 90 among
the 178 signatories but a slim victory would weaken the political
and moral authority of the NPT, which must be renewed at the
conference.

France's Alain Juppe, speaking for the European Union, kicks
off the parade of foreign ministers, who are addressing the forum
over the next week before hard bargaining begins.

On the fringes of the conference, which officially opened on
Monday, the United States and China already clashed over Chinese
plans to sell nuclear reactors to Iran.

Secretary of State Warren Christopher raised U.S. concerns
over the projected deal during talks with Chinese Foreign
Minister Qian Qichen.

The two men disagreed openly over the issue, with Christopher
telling reporters that any nuclear cooperation with Tehran was
"too dangerous to justify," but Qian insisting that nothing
Beijing was doing conflicted with the NPT.

The NPT emerged in the late 1960s, dividing the world into
nuclear powers and non-nuclear states. The United States, the
Soviet Union (now Russia), China, Britain and France were allowed
to keep their weapons if they pledged to work towards global
disarmament.

In turn, non-nuclear states, such as Iran, had the
"inalienable right" to develop, research and have access to
nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

At the opening ceremonies UN Secretary-General Boutros
Boutros-Ghali held out the vision of a world without nuclear
weapons. "The most safe, sure and swift way to deal with the
threat of nuclear arms is to do away with them in every regard,"
he said.

"This should be our vision of the future. No more testing. No
more production. No more sales or transfers. Reduction and
destruction of all nuclear weapons and the means to make them
should be humanity's great common cause."