A worldwide programme for controlling fissile material

During recent years the near-monopoly of fissile material production by the nuclear weapon states (NWS) has ended and other nations are acquiring the capability to produce substantial amounts of plutonium and highly enriched uranium. The feasibility of negotiating an agreement to cease production of fissile material for use by NWSs in nuclear weapons is examined. Such a cut-off would limit the number of weapons participating countries could employ. These two ideas; fissile material cut-off in NWSs and more stringent regulation of fissile material production in all countries are discussed and a worldwide programme based on these ideas is proposed. Debate about the control programme proposed here could be part of the non-proliferation treaty discussions due in 1995. (UK)