NPT extension shows domination of power
NPT extension shows domination of power
By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat
JAKARTA (JP): Despite some minor gains for the non-nuclear nations, the recent review conference which permanently extended the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) reflects the nuclear powers' continued haughty domination of the issue.
Pundits here said yesterday that the permanent extension was a set-back to the non-nuclear world and another example of the acknowledged nuclear powers -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- flexing their muscles.
One of Indonesia's most respected international affairs experts and the vice-chairman of the National Resilience Council, Juwono Sudarsono, said yesterday "the conference was just lip- service."
He said the whole process proved that "the strong (countries) will win."
"It's as if they think world peace and security is their sole right and responsibility," Juwono said.
At the end of a month-long conference in New York last week the 178 signatories to the NPT agreed to extend the treaty indefinitely.
A proposal by several countries that do not possess nuclear arms, such as Indonesia and Nigeria, that the NPT be extended by rolling fixed periods was thwarted in an effort led by the United States.
U.S. pressure also reportedly subdued Middle Eastern countries' efforts to highlight Israel's refusal to sign the NPT.
Israel is widely suspected of having a nuclear arsenal.
Juwono said yesterday that the any nuclear treaty could only serve only the interests of the owners of nuclear weapon. He said that China appeared to have further reduced the prospects of goodwill on the nuclear issue when it conducted an underground nuclear test on Monday, just four days after the close of the NPT conference.
Separately, Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas expressed regret yesterday over Beijing's move.
As quoted by Antara, Alatas called for the cessation of all nuclear weapons testing pending the creation of a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).
Kusnanto Anggoro, a researcher at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said yesterday that the permanent extension of the NPT was an ominous sign for developing countries and meant a loss of bargaining power.
However, he refused to be overly dire in his assessment, noting that some concessions had been gained. "At least now the developed (nuclear) countries have acknowledged for the first time in history that the NPT is related to the CTBT," Kusnanto said.
At the NPT conference, the nuclear powers agreed to draw up a CTBT. It is expected to be ready by late next year.
Speaking yesterday after a seminar at the University of Indonesia in Depok, West Java, where he and Juwono were both panelists, Kusnanto told The Jakarta Post that he was not confident about the NPT's effectiveness in restricting nuclear proliferation.
He noted that a signatory could withdraw from the treaty on giving three months' notice.
Thus, any nation could simply stockpile nuclear materials and, once it had acquired the nuclear weapon-making technology, could withdraw from the NPT, he said.