Nuclear proliferation and the second NPT review conference

On the occasion of the second NPT review conference, the stated objectives of NPT and those as found in actual practice are analysed. The NPT, though designed to prevent proliferation, is mainly concerned with the prevention of horizontal proliferation rather than the vertical proliferation which is continuing unchecked even among the nuclear weapon states who are signatories to the NPT. These nuclear weapon states are giving different interpretations to the term 'proliferation' to suit their purpose. They use the NPT as a sort of comouflage to put more and stringent conditions on the transfer of nuclear technology to the developing nations. The NPT has become a political instrument and proliferation a political problem, even though the nuclear weapon states maintain that proliferation is a technical problem. The result is that benefits of nuclear technology have become exclusively reserved for nuclear super-powers and the NPT is being used to create obstacles in the path of those developing nations which are trying to be self-reliant in nuclear technology. (M.G.B.)