It sends the message that weapons of mass destruction in fact may have legitimate uses in warfare, and it may therefore undermine the nonproliferation effort.

"If, in fact, we want to continue to lead the nonproliferation effort, we have to do all we can to assist it," Mr. Hagel said.

To settle for anything less would amount to condoning Islamabad's nuclear ambitions and mock the nonproliferation efforts of decades.

He specialized in the international disarmament issue and nuclear nonproliferation efforts.

Supporters of the treaty criticized the administration's approach, saying the test ban is a cornerstone of nonproliferation efforts and has overwhelming domestic and international support.

The foundation also seeks to finance nuclear nonproliferation efforts.

Not least, new Soviet-American interest in arms control will help to set a proper climate for nonproliferation efforts.

And I suppose my answer to those folks would be that our nonproliferation efforts sometimes work better than we think they might.

The international community therefore needs to respond firmly but carefully, protecting the credibility of nonproliferation efforts worldwide without pushing the Korean Peninsula closer to armed conflict.

This does not bode well for nonproliferation efforts.