By N. Hassan Wirajuda
Tuesday, May 11, 2004,Page 9
As a declared non-nuclear weapon state, Indonesia has always worked for nuclear non-proliferation -- indeed, for a world free of nuclear weapons. But the cause of nuclear non-proliferation is in deep trouble, as countries are once again tempted to acquire the means of oblivion.
For over three decades, the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT) has been the cornerstone of the world's non-proliferation regime, a position that derives from growing acknowledgement of the legal and normative standards that it established. Adherence to the NPT has increased steadily, reaching a stage of near-universal acceptance.
But there is a general feeling that implementation has fallen short of expectations, particularly with regard to nuclear disarmament. Moreover, there is increasing concern over non-compliance and the associated risks of proliferation to worrisome states, particularly in Asia, and even more ominously, into the hands of individuals and terrorist organizations.
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