N-powers for strengthening anti-ballistic missile treaty

UNITED NATIONS, MAY 1. The five main nuclear powers promised their ``unequivocal commitment to the ultimate goals of a complete elimination of nuclear weapons'' and a treaty on complete disarmament under strict international control. But no specifics or timetable was given.

The United States, Russia, France, Britain and China, in a 23- point statement concluded over the weekend, called for strengthening the 1972 Anti-ballistic Missile treaty.

The statement, to be issued at the current NPT conference, is aimed at countering criticism that the five, particularly the U.S. and Russia, are moving far too slowly in reducing their strategic and tactical nuclear arms, estimated at more than 20,000 warheads between them.

The meeting, which ends on May 19, is to set the goals for the 187 signatories to the NPT for the next five years.

The five, including the U.S., called for ``preserving and strengthening'' the 1972 U.S.-Russian Anti-ballistic Missile Treaty, which the Clinton administration wants amended to accommodate its controversial new programme against incoming nuclear missiles. Diplomats said the language was aimed at ensuring that the pact could not be changed or abandoned unilaterally.

The statement also declares that none of the five has its nuclear weapons targeted at any specific State. Diplomats said that in reality they could be targeted within minutes, but noted that this provision was a positive signal.

The statement reaffirms a resolution on the West Asia, concluded at the 1995 NPT conference, which calls on all States that have not signed the treaty to do so at an early date. But it does not mention Israel by name, the only suspected nuclear arms State in the region not to sign the NPT.

- Reuters

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