Disarmament Diplomacy

Issue No. 56, April 2001

Editor's Introduction

Widespread concern over the direction of US arms control policy was seemingly confirmed in early May. Though still vague in technical and military detail, the first major statements on defence and foreign policy by President George W. Bush - rejection of arms control treaties in favour of ambitious plans for phased, layered missile defences - and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld - opening wide the door to the further militarisation of space - provide tangible political evidence of a 'clear and present danger' to the existing non-proliferation regime, international security and stability. Two articles in this issue address the international implications of the Bush Administration's new approach to arms control. Highlighting US Space Command's drive towards the military domination of space, Rebecca Johnson argues for international negotiations to prohibit the placement of weapons in space and considers mechanisms for a comprehensive 'space sanctuary' regime. In reporting on the negotiations to strengthen the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) in Geneva, Acronym Institute analyst Jenni Rissanen notes that the generally constructive response to the draft 'composite text' put on the table by the Chair of the Ad Hoc Group, Tibor Tóth, was marred by growing suspicions of a wavering US commitment to the process. In this issue's guest contribution, former Royal Navy Commander Robert Green, offers a provocative argument for Britain to fulfil its NPT obligations by converting the UK's Trident submarines into a conventionally-armed force.

Bush's speech and the global debate over missile defence features prominently in both Documents and Sources and News Review. Other developments covered include the annual session of the UN Disarmament Commission; a view of the evolving role of nuclear weapons from the director of the Sandia National Laboratories; proposed cutbacks in US non-proliferation funding; the appointment of a civilian Defence Minister in Russia; growing tension between the United States and North Korea; positive remarks on the test ban treaty from an important non-signatory, Pakistan; and fresh delay and disagreement in UN-Iraq relations.

Welcome

The Acronym Institute is delighted to welcome our new Deputy Director, Frances Connelly. Frances joins us from the Quaker Peace and Social Witness programme, London.