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.