Western experts here say that for Ukraine to sign the nonproliferation treaty it must do so as a non-nuclear nation, like other new signers.

Many of the non-nuclear nations agree that an indefinite extension of the treaty could divide the world forever into nuclear haves and have-nots.

Washington has been coaxing it to remain in the community of non-nuclear nations.

The treaty requires signatory nations to insure that materials from their commercial nuclear industries are not used by non-nuclear nations to make nuclear weapons.

But a number of leading non-nuclear nations are proposing limited extensions and other methods for approval.

On June 1, 1996 Ukraine became a non-nuclear nation when it sent last of its 1,900 strategic nuclear warheads to Russia for dismantling.

The non-nuclear nations were plainly happy by the apparent leveling of the international playing field.

Most of the non-nuclear nations proclaimed a new era for mankind, one freed of the horror of nuclear war.

As a sovereign, non-nuclear nation, we in Ireland have a right to self-determination in terms of our people's health and environment.

He also stressed China's opposition to using or threatening to use nuclear weapons against a non-nuclear nation, an underlying theme of the Pentagon report.