UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 7 (UPI) -- Non-proliferation of nuclear weapons is a global responsibility as no one nation has the influence necessary to prevent their spread, U.S. officials said.
Ellen Tauscher, the U.S. undersecretary for arms control, told the U.N. General Assembly at its First Committee on Disarmament and International Security that all countries must take ownership of the non-proliferation effort if it is to succeed.
She added the responsibility is not limited to nuclear weapons, but must include preventing other countries from gaining the technological capability to manufacture a weapon.
Japan concurred, saying nation-states that possessed or were trying to possess nuclear weapons must understand the acquisition does little in terms of political gain.
The comments were backed by Australian representatives, who stressed the strategic costs of nuclear weapons.
"We are at a pivotal moment when we all must recognize that the possession of nuclear weapons in particular comes at a strategic cost to States, which is greater than the perceived strategic benefits," said the Australian envoy to the United Nations, Gary Quinlan.
The talks come as world leaders express concern over the nuclear ambitions of Iran and North Korea. The North Korean government said recently it was not ready to give up its nuclear weapons, while Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad suggested his country might be looking to purchase enriched uranium from a third party.
