Officials Say Nuclear Nonprofileration Treaty In Crisis

In a message read by an aide at a meeting in Vienna of the 188 countries that have signed the agreement, Ban said evidence of the crisis was widespread, highlighting slow disarmament and noncompliance with treaty safeguards.

Addressing the same meeting, Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik also noted the current crisis.

The comments come amid continuing tensions between the international community and Iran and North Korea, over the two countries' nuclear programs.

The treaty was signed in 1970 at the height of the Cold War.

(AFP)