Disarmament Diplomacy

Issue No. 61, October - November 2001

Editor's Introduction

In a period of tumultuous change in the international security order, our editorial raises concerns about misleading claims of progress in the US-Russia nuclear relationship and diplomatic efforts to arrange a durable peace in Afghanistan.

November saw a number of important international meetings to discuss arms control and disarmament priorities. Rebecca Johnson reports from New York on the Second Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, an event overshadowed in part by the conspicuous absence of the United States. Also from New York, Acronym Analyst Jenni Rissanen reviews the wide-ranging deliberations, resolutions and decisions of the UN First Committee. Rissanen notes an "apparent disassociation" between the routine nature of the Committee's proceedings and the fast-changing world outside, warning that the curious business-as-usual approach may amplify "the impression that the body is increasingly detached from current realities."

The Bush-Putin summit in Washington and Texas, replete with claims of dramatic progress in nuclear reductions, forms the focus of both Documents and Sources and News Review. As our coverage reflects, the detailed nature of the broad-brush announcements made by President Bush is being subjected to considerable scrutiny both domestically and internationally. News Review also features coverage of discussions addressing the multiple threats of terrorism using weapons of mass destruction, problematic non-proliferation discussions between the US and China, the continued refusal of North Korea to engage in such discussions with the Bush administration, fears of a broadening of the war against terrorism to include Iraq, a UN resolution on children in armed conflict, and a review of progress in implementing a UN resolution on women and peace and security.

See our website, http://www.acronym.org.uk, for documentation and updates on arms control developments, including Jenni Rissanen's frequent updates on the Fifth BWC Review Conference. Her full Conference report will be featured in the next Disarmament Diplomacy.

Congratulations to Lorna and Miland on the birth of their baby son, November 30.

Seasonal Greetings: All of us at the Acronym Institute for Disarmament Diplomacy extend our very best wishes to all our readers for a happy and - we hope - more peaceful new year.