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Title: Nuclear power and nuclear weapons proliferation. Volume I. Policy papers

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6604370

A policy paper is presented to recommend actions that will help to keep within acceptable bounds the risks of the further spread or proliferation of nuclear weapons, while meeting the needs of nations for nuclear energy. The problems associated with nuclear proliferation risks lie beyond the domain of any one nation, and therefore require a coordinated combination of national and cooperative international measures. The relationship between peaceful nuclear power and nuclear weapons proliferation is explored. The central principle of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been the concept of international cooperation in peaceful nuclear development, mainly for electric power supply, in return for a forswearing by non-weapon states of weapons acquisition, and acceptance by them of international safeguards. To be acceptable, a non-proliferation policy based on international cooperation for peaceful development should come as close as possible to symmetry and non-discrimination in nuclear energy development. Recommendations for implementing non-proliferation policy are summarized. It is noted that in order to reinforce international acceptance of the recommendations concerning measures to reduce the likelihood and extent of nuclear proliferation, the US, the Soviet Union, and other nuclear weapon and non-nuclear weapon states should urgently establish a comprehensive nuclear weapon test ban intended to contribute in a substantial way to reducing incentives for present non-nuclear weapon states to pursue development of technology leading to a nuclear explosive capability.

Research Organization:
Atlantic Council of the United States, Washington, DC
OSTI ID:
6604370
Report Number(s):
NP-23363/1; TRN: 78-019624
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English