Non-proliferation: Competing Aims

Paul Reynolds
BBC 5.3.2010:

Among the competing aims are these:

• The United States and its allies want much tougher inspections of all states signed up to the NPT and penalties for those (like North Korea in 2003) which leave it.
  
• Non-aligned members are calling for a plan of action to implement the vision of worldwide nuclear disarmament laid out in the treaty, which was opened for signature in 1968.
  
• Some Middle East countries are calling for action to set up a nuclear-weapons-free zone in the Middle East.
  
• Iran's determination to continue enriching uranium against the orders of the UN Security Council is likely to dominate the opening session of the conference, with an appearance by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.