Stronger Measures Needed to Prevent Proliferation

摘要

Fifty years ago, U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower unveiled the Atoms for Peace program. In a widely noted speech to the United Nations (UN), he called on the United States and other nations to "make joint contributions from stockpiles of normal uranium and fissionable materials to an international atomic energy agency" that likely would operate under the aegis of the UN. This agency would be responsible for securing and protecting the accumulated materials. But more important, the materials "would be allocated to serve the peaceful pursuits of mankind. Experts would be mobilized to apply atomic energy to the needs of agriculture, medicine, and other peaceful activities. A special purpose would be to provide abundant electrical energy in the power-starved areas of the world. Thus contributing powers would be dedicating some of their strength to serve the needs rather than the fears of mankind." The United States, Eisenhower declared, "would be more than willing―it would be proud―to take up with others 'principally involved' the development of plans whereby such peaceful use of atomic energy would be expedited."