The major nuclear weapons states committed themselves to reduce their own stockpiles significantly in exchange for nonnuclear states' renouncing the ambition of joining their ranks.

It plans a new generation of earth-penetrating nuclear warheads for use even against nonnuclear states.

"Last year we had a very good year as Ukraine became a nonnuclear state and made dramatic economic reforms," Mr. Clinton said.

It could encourage nonnuclear states in Asia to build their own nuclear arms.

First, doing so would break faith with countries that could have built nuclear weapons but have not done so and instead signed the nonproliferation treaty as nonnuclear states.

In exchange for extending the treaty without conditions, the nonnuclear states got formal but nonbinding commitments to hasten nuclear disarmament.

If the court says nuclear weapons are not illegal, there will be a tremendous push from nonnuclear states for a convention banning them.

Basis for Removal The weapons are being removed because Ukraine has declared its intention of being a nonnuclear state.

But the general brushed that aside as well, saying the policy could be changed and was only really intended to apply to conflicts with nonnuclear states in any case.

However, he is only partly correct that "the essential bargain that induced nonnuclear states to sign the Nonproliferation Treaty" was the promise of nuclear-energy programs.