DATE=5/20/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-249604
TITLE=NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE UNITED STATES HAS URGED THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE
ON DISARMAMENT TO SERIOUSLY NEGOTIATE A TREATY TO BAN THE 
PRODUCTION OF WHAT'S CALLED "FISSILE" MATERIALS -- NAMELY, THE 
PLUTONIUM AND URANIUM USED IN MAKING NUCLEAR WEAPONS.  LISA 
SCHLEIN REPORTS THE AMERICAN AMBASSADOR, BACKED BY BRITAIN AND 
FRANCE, INTRODUCED A NEW PROPOSAL THURSDAY TO SPEED-UP WORK ON 
THE TREATY AT A MEETING IN GENEVA OF THE 61-NATION CONFERENCE.

TEXT:   U-S AMBASSADOR ROBERT GREY SAYS ANTIQUATED RULES ARE 
HOLDING UP PROGRESS ON THIS IMPORTANT TREATY.  FOR EXAMPLE, HE 
SAYS THE CURRENT PRACTICE OF HAVING TO REESTABLISH THE 
NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE EVERY YEAR RESULTS IN A LOSS OF VALUABLE 
TIME.  

                         ///GREY ACT///

         THE SPONSORS OF THE PROPOSAL CANNOT BELIEVE THE 
         INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY INTENDS FOR NEGOTIATIONS TO 
         PROHIBIT THE PRODUCTION OF FISSILE MATERIAL FOR USE IN 
         NUCLEAR WEAPONS OR OTHER NUCLEAR EXPLOSIVE DEVICES TO 
         PROCEED IN FITS AND STARTS.  IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE 
         FOR THE CONFERENCE TO MAKE LIMITED PROGRESS THIS YEAR, 
         THEN REFRAIN FROM RETURNING TO THE TASK PROMPTLY AND 
         ENERGETICALLY WHEN IT RECONVENES IN JANUARY.

                          ///END ACT///

A COMMITTEE TO NEGOTIATE A BAN OF FISSILE MATERIALS WAS SET UP 
LAST YEAR.  BUT IT DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO GET DOWN TO CONCRETE 
BUSINESS.  UNDER EXISTING RULES, THE CONFERENCE HAS TO RE- 
ESTABLISH THE NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE AGAIN THIS YEAR. 

//OPT// EIGHT COUNTRIES -- AMONG THEM UKRAINE, AUSTRALIA AND 
TURKEY -- CAME OUT IN SUPPORT OF THE U-S PROPOSAL.  ROMANIAN 
AMBASSADOR, IOAN MAXIM EXPRESSES THE VIEWS OF ALL THOSE WHO 
SPOKE.

                         ///MAXIM ACT///

         WE BELIEVE THAT IF APPROVED, THIS PROPOSAL WOULD 
         CONTRIBUTE TO THE LAUNCHING OF SUBSTANTIAL WORK OF THE 
         CONFERENCE.  THE ROMANIAN DELEGATION WOULD LIKE TO JOIN 
         IN CO-SPONSORING THIS PROPOSAL. 

                   ///END ACT///  //END OPT//

THE UNITED STATES BELIEVES THE BEST ROUTE TOWARD REDUCING NUCLEAR
ARMS REDUCTION IS BY CUTTING OFF THE PRODUCTION OF PLUTONIUM AND 
HIGHLY ENRICHED URANIUM.  HOWEVER, THE UNITED STATES DOES  NOT  
WANT A TREATY TO DEAL WITH THE DESTRUCTION OF EXISTING 
STOCKPILES.  THIS IS A MAJOR POINT OF CONTENTION. SEVERAL 
COUNTRIES -- INCLUDING SOUTH AFRICA, INDIA AND PAKISTAN -- WANT 
TO PUT ON THE NEGOTIATING TABLE THE ISSUE OF STOCKPILES BY THE 
FIVE DECLARED NUCLEAR POWERS.  WHILE THE UNITED STATES OPPOSES 
THIS, IT HAS PROPOSED THAT A MORATORIUM ON THE PRODUCTION OF 
BOMB-MAKING MATERIAL BE OBSERVED WHILE TREATY NEGOTIATIONS ARE 
UNDERWAY. (SIGNED) 

NEB/LS/PCF 

20-May-99 7:57 AM EDT (1157 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.