Peaceful uses of nuclear energy; conference set for 1986, but agenda is uncertain.

A United Nations Conference on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, originally scheduled for 1983 but postponed because of disagreement on its agenda, is now set for 1986.

Resolution 38/60 was adopted by the General Assembly without a vote on 14 December 1983. In it, the Assembly also requested the Chairman of the Preparatory Committee for the United Nations Conference for the Promotion of International Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy and the Secretary-General of the Conference to undertake consultations with Member States to resolve the pending issues concerning the Conference's agenda, rules of procedure, venue and actual dates.

The Assembly urged the international Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other relevant United Nations bodies to contribute effectively and all States to co-operate actively in the preparation of the Conference. The Preparatory committee, which, according to the resolution, would hold its fifth session in Vienna in June 1984 to complete its work on the agenda, was asked to submit a report to the 1984 Assembly session.

The idea to hold the Conference had its genesis in Assembly resolution 32/50 of 8 December 1977, which declared that the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes was of great importance for the economic and social development of many countries. The Assembly invited all States to consider convening an international conference to promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

In December 1980, the Assembly decided to hold the Conference in 1983 and established the Preparatory Committee to be composed of 70 States appointed by the President (resolution 35/112). Presently the Preparatory Committee is composed of 65 States. At its resumed thirty-seventh session, in May 1983, the Assembly decided not to hold the Conference in 1983 (decision 37/453). Non-Proliferation Issue

The Preparatory Committee, which last met from 28 March to 8 April 1983, said in its report to the Assembly (document A/37/48/Add. 1) that there had not yet been agreement on the substantive issues of the Conference agenda or on the decision-making process to be employed.

The main point in dispute was the role that "non-proliferation of nuclear weapons" should play in the Conference. The Committee's report said that some delegations believed that universally acceptable principles of international co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and the means of implementing those principles constitute the major...