US, USSR in for criticism from review of '68 A-pact

The United States and the Soviet Union face criticism of their arms-control efforts as a review of the 1968 nuclear nonproliferation treaty gets under way here. Nearly al 11 countries pledging not to develop nuclear arsenals under the pact feel the two superpowers and Britain have done little to fulfill their side of the bargain by ending the nuclear arms race.

Nonnuclear states are especially critical of US failure to ratify SALTII, and of the slow-moving negotiations toward a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty.

The four-week conference will examine the effectiveness of the nuclear non proliferation treaty in curbing the spread of nuclear weapons and is due to call for tougher international control over the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.