Non-proliferation group presses U.S. gov't

TOKYO, March 15 (UPI) -- A nuclear non-proliferation panel says it will ask the United States to adopt its no-first-use of nuclear arms pledge.

The International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament also wants the United States to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and restore the U.S.-Russia strategic nuclear arms control process, Kyodo reported Sunday.

Nobuyasu Abe, a former U.N. undersecretary-general for disarmament affairs and member of the commission's advisory board, said the panel is seeking the end of nuclear weapons through a five-point plan.

The Japanese news service said some government officials in Japan contend the United States should formalize its no-first-use policy because it acts as a deterrent against possible North Korean missile attacks.

Kyodo noted that U.S. President Barack Obama has said abolishing nuclear weapons is one of his administration's goals.

The commission is led by former Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans and former Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi. Its members include former U.S. Secretary of Defense William Perry and former Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo.