Introduction

Most governments believe that the further spread or proliferation of nuclear weapons, particularly to unstable regions such as the Middle East, is a serious threat to global security and, therefore, to national security. Consequently many countries are attempting to evolve national and international means of preventing, or at least limiting, the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The existing International Atomic Energy Agency Safeguards, the Non-Proliferation Treaty, the London Club guidelines, National policies and nuclear weapon free zones and their role in preventing the spread of nuclear weapons are outlined briefly. (author)