The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty For how long should it be extended?

Abstract

In April 1995 a conference is to meet in New York to decide for how long the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is to be prolonged; it came into force in 1970. Here the provisions of the treaty are reviewed critically and in detail, and it is concluded that an indefinite and unconditional extension, as may be supported by the nuclear weapons countries and some industrialised parties, is by no means desirable. Automatic renewal after fixed periods of 5 or 10 years is preferable.