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Annan calls for recommitment to Non-Proliferation Treaty

UNITED NATIONS: Secretary-General Kofi Annan is urging governments to recommit themselves to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which entered into force 30 years ago.

The treaty says its 187 signatories must try to keep nuclear weapons out of the hands of all but the five declared nuclear powers: the United States, Russia, Britain, France and China.

In a statement read by his spokesman, Annan called on Friday for governments to use the anniversary of the treaty to take new measures to "achieve the ultimate objective of a world free of nuclear weapons."

An upcoming conference, April 24 to May 19, to review progress on implementing the treaty "would be an excellent opportunity for all parties to reaffirm their commitment to the treaty," spokesman Fred Eckhard said. APP