Reagan Urges Nations to Take Nuclear Vow

President Reagan marked the 20th anniversary on Friday of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty with a call to all nonmember nations to join the pledge to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.

Since the treaty was concluded in 1968, 136 nations have signed it. Countries that possess nuclear weapons pledge not to help non-nuclear-weapons states acquire them. Non-nuclear states pledge not to seek nuclear capability.

“On this, the 20th anniversary of the opening for signature of the treaty, the President calls upon all countries that have not yet adhered to it to do so in order to demonstrate their commitment to preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and to reducing the risk of nuclear war,” a statement by White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said.

“Further, he urges all parties to the treaty to rededicate themselves to achieving its objectives and to ensuring its continued vitality,” Fitzwater’s statement said.

The statement also said the United States is prepared to negotiate a “step-by-step parallel program to limit and ultimately end nuclear testing” after ratification of two existing treaties limiting the size of underground tests and explosions for peaceful purposes, such as nuclear energy.

The United States and the Soviet Union are negotiating verification measures for those two treaties and are expected to sign them later this year.