EGYPT WON'T SIGN NPT

As the U. S. scrambles for votes among U. N. members in its effort to indefinitely extend the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, Egypt remains firm in its refusal to sign unless Israel does so. Rather than sign an indefinite extension of the treaty, Egypt proposes a short-term, renewable agreement.TIME Cairo correspondent Dean Fischerreports that the Egyptian government is upset because the U. S. is applying intense pressure on it to renew without demanding that Israel sign. The Israeli government has long defended its non-membership in the NPT by arguing that Israel needs a nuclear arsenal to counter Iran, Iraq and Libya. The Clinton Administration's position is that for Israel a higher priority is a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace agreement. Israeli officials say they are willing to sign a treaty banning weapons of mass destruction when peace is achieved.