In 1968, after the General Assembly of the United Nations voted to approve of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), U.S. Pres. Johnson addressed the Assembly, hailing it as “a first step toward ending the peril of nuclear war,” and “the most important international agreement in the field of disarmament since the nuclear age began.” As nuclear powers, France abstained and China refused to participate. Negative votes were cast by Cuba, Albania, Tanzania and Zambia. The NPT was signed by officials of the U.S., Russia and U.K. on 1 Jul 1968. Going forward, the Treaty had a limited effect, but reduced tensions, and set a precedent for international cooperation. Other treaties followed.«