Treaty closer to indefinite extension

Treaty closer to indefinite extension

UNITED NATIONS (AFP): Movement towards indefinite extension of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is gaining ground at the renewal conference begun here last month, diplomats said.

Efforts by a small group of non-aligned nations, spearheaded by Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq and Malaysia, to forge a united front in favor of a limited extension of the NPT appear to have failed, the diplomats said.

The NPT renewal conference begun here April 17 is expected to culminate with a vote by the 178 signatories of the 25-year-old treaty before the meeting ends May 12.

At a recent meeting in Bandung, Indonesia, the non-aligned movement proposed extending the NPT for renewable periods of 25 years, but the decision was far from unanimous.

Only through periodic renewals of the NPT can the five major nuclear powers -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- be pressured into full compliance with all the treaty's obligations, the non-aligned maintain.

Several diplomats believe the proposal has come too late to counter the intense lobbying efforts the major nuclear powers and other nations favoring indefinite NPT extension have lavished on the undecided since the start of the conference.