US 'disappointment' over continued logjam in nuclear pact

US 'disappointment' over continued logjam in nuclear pact by Staff Writers United Nations (AFP) Oct 5, 2010 The United States on Tuesday expressed "disappointment" over an impasse in global disarmament talks that have set back efforts to limit access to materials that can be used to build a nuclear weapon. Rose Gottemoeller, US assistant secretary of state for arms control, verification and compliance, alluded to foot-dragging by nuclear-armed Pakistan and warned "our patience will not last for ever."
"I have to tell you that I expressed some disappointment at the fact that the conference on disarmament over the last years has been less energetic in terms of pursuing its overall agenda," she told reporters after the meeting.
"We will do everything so that we can have talks go forward -- there is no reason to stand still," Gottemoeller added.
She spoke after a meeting at the United Nations that failed to make progress toward an agenda for disarmament talks, including a proposed Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty, which would limit access to materials that could be used to make nuclear weapons.
"We will definitely continue to press" for an accord, she said.
"We regard this delay as unwarranted and out of step with the expectations of the wide majority of states seated here today," she said.
Since last year, Pakistan has blocked a resumption of negotiations on the nuclear agenda for the Disarmament Conference, fearing that an agreement would lock in an imbalance in its nuclear arsenal vis-a-vis that of India.

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