WASHINGTON, Aug 7: The United States reluctantly decided Friday to attend next week's UN conference on banning nuclear testing, overriding fears of offending France and China and doubts the Forum can end nuclear tests, reports AFP.

The White House and the State Department deckled that not attending the 120 nation conference on Tuesday and Wednesday might alienate de vetoptng nations, said one US official who asked not to be identified.

The Forum, chaired by Indonesia, will discuss whether to amend the 1963 partial test ban treaty on above ground nuclear testing with a ban on all testing.

France and China. which are not signatories of the treaty, will not attend the conference.