Prometheus 6

Quote of note:

...the US efforts have been frustrated by a block of developing countries, led by Egypt, that have insisted the gathering should also address US disarmament pledges.

The United States is under fire for what some nations see as its violations of agreements made under the nonproliferation treaty in 1995 and 2000 to dismantle some of its weapons. In preparatory meetings with other countries before this year's conference, the Bush administration distanced itself from those commitments and refused to sign on to an agenda for the conference that explicitly referenced past pledges, saying those commitments were not binding, according to the UN officials and delegates involved.

That assertion alarmed many arms-control advocates.

Nations say US shirks its arms vows
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.

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 could eventually result in sanctions against Iran and North Korea, according to UN officials and delegates. US officials also said they are hoping to win support for a series of unilateral actions to stem proliferation, including an initiative to intercept ships believed to be carrying nuclear supplies and tougher national safeguards of nuclear facilities.