Monopoly of nuclear power techniques

A country's nuclear status is important in many ways, and the "club" closely guarded. The "Permanent Five" of the UN Security Council, with veto powers -- the USA, Russia, the UK, France and China -- are all nuclear powers. (The other 11 non-permanent member states are rotated.) A 1992 USA proposal to reform the Council to a "permanent seven", suggesting Germany and Japan as additions, was strongly resisted by France, with backing from Britain, partially on the grounds that nuclear power gives global responsibility.