White House expresses concerns over portions of nuclear treaty

A conference on nuclear weapons in the Middle East won’t go forward if Israel’s national security is jeopardized, the White House said Saturday.  

Despite U.S. support for the agreement made at the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference to strengthen the global non-proliferation regime, “we will not accept any approach that singles out Israel or sets unrealistic expectations,” National Security Advisor Gen. James L. Jones said today in a release. 

{mosads}”The United States’ long-standing position on Middle East peace and security remains unchanged, including its unshakeable commitment to Israel’s security,” Jones said. 

Jones said the U.S. has “serious reservations” about portions of the treaty that call for a regional conference in 2012 to discuss issues important to the long-term goal of a Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction. 

He called it “deplorable” to single out Israel and leave out Iran, a long-time violator of the NPT and United Nations Security Council resolutions.

“The United States has long supported such a zone, although our view is that a comprehensive and durable peace in the region and full compliance by all regional states with their arms control and nonproliferation obligations are essential precursors for its establishment,” Jones said. 

To ensure the interests of all countries are taken into account, the U.S. will co-sponsor the conference with the United Kingdom, Russia and the U.N. secretary general to determine where to hold the meeting and ensure that any decisions or agreements are made only by consensus of the countries involved.

Overall, the White House said the document includes “balanced and practical steps to advance nuclear disarmament, nonproliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy, which are critical pillars of of the global nonproliferation game,” President Barack Obama said in a statement today.  

The U.S. will insist on the conference that exchanges views on a broad agenda to include regional security issues, verification and compliance, and all categories of weapons of mass destruction and systems for delivery, Obama said. 

“Stopping the spread of nuclear weapons around the world to include agreement on any possible further discussions or follow-up actions, which will only take place with the consent of all the regional countries,” according to the statement.