Bolton's spirit felt at talks

[struggle4progress]

CHARLES J. HANLEY

Associated Press


UNITED NATIONS - John R. Bolton was far from the United Nations last week, but his spirit was felt in U.N. corridors nonetheless, as a monthlong conference to strengthen the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty ended in deadlock. <snip>

The U.S. undersecretary, who has questioned the value of some arms-control treaties, also disparaged what he called "endless international negotiations whose point seems to be negotiations rather than decision."

The treaty at issue here, the 1970 nonproliferation pact, with 188 member nations, is regarded by many as a keystone of the nuclear age, often credited with having kept nuclear arms from spreading to dozens of countries.

The treaty was negotiated as a grand bargain: Those without atomic arsenals pledge not to pursue them, and in exchange five countries with the weapons - the United States, Russia, Britain, France and China - commit to eventually eliminating them. The "have-nots," meanwhile, are guaranteed access to peaceful nuclear technology. <snip>

http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/11770270.htm