Washington holds off conf. on weapons-free ME

The US decided to cancel a proposed conference on establishing a Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction because of present conditions in the Middle East. In a statement, carried by the US-funded Radio Sawa, US State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said the proposed conference, envisioned in the 2010 Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference Final Document, will not convene due to the situation in the region and the fact that states in the region have not reached agreement on acceptable conditions for a conference. "The United States will continue to work seriously with our partners to create conditions for a meaningful conference," Nuland said. "The United States fully supports the goal of a Middle East free of all weapons of mass destruction and we stand by our commitments. We further note our view that a comprehensive and durable peace in the region and full compliance by all regional states with their arms control and nonproliferation obligations are essential precursors for the establishment of such a zone," she added.