Arms Control and Disarmament: Hurdles, Efforts and Recommendations

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Arms Control and Disarmament

Why there is less Success in Arms Control and Disarmament

Efforts?               

OR

What are Problems/Hurdles in Arms Control and Disarmament?

·         Super Powers’ Dilemma: Unfortunately it is dilemma of world politics that those countries who are the initiator of arms control effort are largest weapons producer and exporter of weapons. Secondly these nations are in immense competition against each other in this field. Thirdly these super powers are engaged in multiple military operation in the world which enhanced the feelings of insecurity and might is right. These super powers have certain global ambitions which enable them to possess dangerous weapons which defiantly sometimes used against weaker nations for any national or global interest.

·         Weapons Trade a Profitable Business: Weapon trade has become a largest profit oriented industry in the world. Previously only states involved in weapon trade but with the emergence of global Multinational Corporation, this business develops a lot in all over the world. Because these companies have profit motives so they find out more market or create more market.

·         Depletion of Natural Resources: Due globalization of international businesses and finance the chances of competition among nations increased a lot and with the passage of time this competition convert into conflict because of depletion of natural resources and increasing competition for existing meager natural resources lead toward clash of national interest among nations. So for their security in business at international level states are engaging in armaments.

·         Human Nature: It is human nature that man always feel sense of insecurity from other nations and always tried to depend on its own power. Man always has sense of superiority over others and these feelings enable him to develop more weapons.

·         Unresolved Conflicts among States: Unresolved conflicts among nations since history or current are another cause of failure of arms control and disarmament efforts in the world. Like issue of Kashmir end other border dispute between India and Pakistan develop a sense of insecurity against each other and this sense enables them to develop nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.  Similarly issue of Palestine and Israel which led a long lasting conflict among Arab nations and Israel which led three wars between these two communities. Same situation in various other nations of Africa and Asia.

·         Failure of Liberalism (to some extent): Lack of implementation of decision of international organizations like UNO, IEAE, and NPT. Unfortunately these organizations unable to fulfill their fundamental objective completely. Their purpose was excellent but if a nation violates their decisions then they took not such an exemplary action against these violations of international law. But other nations claim that if they did not make their own weapons then what is the guarantee of their security from the imperial ambitions and from the attack of their enemy states. such kind of insecurity do not allow them to disarmament

·         Research in Science and Technology: manufacturing new technological weapons and increasing research in this technology also a big hurdle in reduction of arms control. Because nations spent billions of dollars in this field and lot of share of GDP of this industry and number of employment engage in this industry does not allow nations to stop this industry.

·         Marketing and Advertising of Show of Power: It is the biggest hurdle in disarmament when the biggest budget of a film spent on such films in which highest technological weapons are used and such movies are appreciated, encouraged and got maximum businesses. This show of power encourages other nations too. Even the game industry who spent billions of dollars on such game manufacturing in which violence and torture is displaying and kids who inspired of such games will not be fruitful citizens of the earth.

·         Growing threat of Terrorism: This is unbearable truth of human history that after the incident of 9/11 the nations feel more insecure internally and externally due to terrorist organizations and their spreading networks. So this sense of protection of their people every nation trying to develop more and more weapons and security measure which led them to more and more armaments.   

How Arms Control And Disarmament Efforts Get Success?

·         There must be effective and result oriented role of arms control and disarmament agencies

·         Punishing behavior of UNO in case of violation of international law which must be applicable for every nation without any distinction of state’s status quo and make UNO such a powerful international organization that small nations get confidence on it and don’t make weapons

·         Stop the marketing and publication of weapons through any source of media

·         Crush the terrorism thinking instead of terrorist only because if this philosophy got roots then to kill the terrorist only is not the solution. So people are encouraged to combat this threat unanimously

·         Stop the weapon industry as most profitable industry by banning the bulk production of weapons and its spreading through multinational corporations.

·         Sincere and honest effort of disarmament and arms control is required. Super powers must forget their rivalries for humanity so that weaker nations feel comfortable and confidence to live in the beautiful world.

·         Discourage the investment in science and technology of weapons so that such amount of money must spent on some humanitarian development.

·         Super powers and international organizations must resolve the unresolved issues of the world so that nations do not went against each other.

Definition:

The term “disarmament” refers to measures, usually formal agreements, to reduce or completely abolish military capacities and means (both weapons and troops).In contrast, “arms control” comprises agreements aimed at reducing the danger of war breaking out and minimizing the negative impacts of a war on human beings. This is why the concept of “arms control” also includes instruments to promote transparency and build confidence, for instance by means of reciprocal monitoring and inspection and the setting of ceilings for weapons. The application of international humanitarian law to protect people and the environment in war situations also falls under the concept of arms control. (http://warpp.info/en/m7/articles/m7-01)

Early Efforts Of Arm Control And Disarmament

·         Treaty of Westphalia (1648)

·         Demolish the existing fortification and stop the new ones.

·         Czar of Russia's proposal in 1861 of reduction of all type of armed forces.

·         Later on 1863 and 1869 France proposed disarmament, then Britain 1870 and Italy1877 move forward for disarmament.

·         Tsar of Russia in 1898 gave a systematic proposal which addressing to super powers of that time at Hague. He even design a scheme of disarmament. This proposal was welcomed by all powers which resulted into first Hague Peace Conference attended by 28 states. A committee was designed for arms control. This committee concluded its finding that time was not suitable for any kind of arms control agreement. Later in 1907 second Hague Conference was called upon but unable to produce any fruitful result. Thus all the efforts for arms control and disarmament was failed.

After WWII

·         President Wilson's point of view and Treaty of Versailles. Both focus on disarmament by saying, "the maintenance requires the reduction of national armaments to the lowest point consistent with national safety and enforcement by common action of international obligation". For this purpose League of Nations was created to reach an agreement and in covenant it was decided that League's membership granted to those states who agreed to disarmament and arms control. A Permanent Advisory Committee was set up to formulate a program for arms reduction. But this committee failed due to armaments of super powers of League.

·         Second attempt of League was the establishment of Temporary Missed Commission which includes majority civilians. This commission proposed:

•Fixation of land forces.

•Limited the naval armaments of great powers.

•International and to the victims of aggression and compulsory arbitration.

But these efforts were failed too

·         Establishment of Preparatory Commission by League in 1925 regarding provisional draft treaty about disarmament. This draft was presented in Geneva Conference in 1932. The discussion continued for two years by sixty one states. Efforts were jeopardized due to global situation like:

•Attack on Manchuria by Japan

•Emergence of Adolf Hitler and his armaments efforts and in 1933 Germany formally withdraw from Disarmament Conference

·         Washington Conference 1921-22 in which big five (US, France,  Britain, Japan,  Italy) agreed to limits their naval strength regarding cruiser, submarines,  destroyer and aircrafts. But treaty was not ratified. In 1930 these powers met again but failed to finalize any treaty. In 1935-36 another naval conference called upon but it also faced same consequences.

UNO Efforts

·         UN article 11 (I) regarding general principles governing disarmament and regulation of armaments.

·         UN article 26 regarding international peace and security in which Security Council directed to formulate system for disarmament.

·         UN article 47 (I) regarding the formulation of Military Staff Committee for the assistance of Sc for disarmament.

After the adoption of UN charter attack on Hiroshima and Nagasaki enhanced the importance of formation governing body of nuclear assets i.e. IAEA in 26-1-1946 which include 5 Security Council members plus Canada.

Other Bilateral, Multilateral Affords for Disarmament and Arms Control

·         Baruch plan June1946

·         Proposal of Soviet Union June 1946

·         Establishment of Commission on Conventional Armaments by Security Council in February 1947 but due to differences in Soviet and western, General Assembly adopted the resolution urging the commission for Conventional Armament. But Soviet withdraws from both these commissions on the basis of Red China representation in 1950.

·         Creation of Disarmament Commissions 1952 on the suggestions of US president Truman by the GA of UN. In 1958 all UN members are its members. But again divergent views of super powers enable GA to establish a Great Power Sub Committee.

·         Eisenhower's "Atoms for Peace" Plan (1953), regarding peaceful use of nuclear energy for international security

·         Three phases of Disarmament in Anglo-French Plan (1954).

·         Soviet proposal of disarmament in 1955 was totally disagreed by US because it insisted on dismantling of all US overseas basis and ban on nuclear tests.

·         Open Skies plan of US in Geneva Summit 1955.

·         US representation by Six Point Plan for Disarmament in 1957 are endorsed by UNGA.

·         Geneva Conference 1959 by USA, USSR, UK regarding a unilateral ban on test of atom and hydrogen bomb in earth's atmosphere, outer space and in ocean and underground. But the explosion of Megaton Bomb by USSR violation of this conference proposal.

·         A successful Antarctic Treaty of 1959 regarding nuclear weapon free zone of Antarctica. This treaty was signed successfully and put into practice by USSA, USSR and 16 other states.

·         Disarmament Conference of 1960 of 10 states in which communist bloc (five) and other five from western bloc. In this conference USSR proposed four year plan for disarmament in 3 phases. But this conference resulted into dismal.

·         Disarmament Conference by 18 states in 1962 and US proposal for establishment of International commission of Scientists. But conference again could not give fruitful results because of different plans of Soviet and US.

·         Moscow Treaty of 1963 regarding Limited Test Ban.

·         US president Johnson's Seven Point Plan in 1960.

·         Outer Space Treaty of 1967.

·         Conference on non nuclear weapon states 1968.

·         Formation of Nuclear Proliferation Treaty  1968 by 62 states.

·         UN Decade of Disarmament (1970s).

·         Sea bed Treaty of 1971.

·         "The Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (biological) and Toxin weapon and on their destruction". Date...

·         Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty 1972.

·         May 26, 1972 two separatist treaties were signed between USSR and USA.

1- Treaty on the limitation of Antiballistic Missile System ABMS.

2- Interim agreement on certain measures IACM with regard to strategic offensive Arms.

·         Accord on Limitations of Arms between US and USSR.

·         Threshold Test Ban Treaty July 3, 1973 between US and USSR (TBTB)

·         Arms Pact 1974 between US and USSR a ten year pact.

·         Peaceful Nuclear Explosion Treaty (PNET) May 28, 1974 between US and USSR.

·         Final Act of the Conference of the Security and Cooperation in Europe. July-August 1975, between UK, USA, USSR and number of the European states.

·         Convention on prohibition of Military or other Hostile use of Environmental Modification Techniques 1977.

·         1980s as Second Decade of Disarmament by UNO.

·         SALT II (1979), SALT I lapsed in 1977.

·         1981 President Reagan’s four point agenda regarding disarmament.

·         INF (intermediate range of nuclear force) held in Geneva in 30-11-1981.

·         Brezhnev Announcement of March 16, 1982.

·         START negotiation 1982 in which (2) stage proposal of USA and (3) stage proposal of USSR.

·         Talks b/w NATO and WARSAW PACT nations regarding mutual and Balanced force Reduction in central Europe from March 18-1984 to July 19,1984.

·         Hotline and DSL formation b/w USA and USSR.

·         Four Continent Peace Initiatives May 22, 1984.

·         Geneva Talks 1985.

·         INF Treaty 1987.

·         Washington Summit 1987 and Moscow Summit 1988.

·         Six nations Summit at January 28, 1985 and another plan of six nations.

·         Special sessions of UNGA on disarmament

·         Geneva Talks on strategic Arms Reduction June 1989.

·         Super power Summit 1990.

·         START-I 1991 July 3,

·         Alma Ata Accord 1991.

Efforts of Arms Control and Disarmament after Cold war

·         1992 protocol.

·         Summit of 1992.

·         Extension of NPT

·         After the cold and disintegration of USS, The newly independent states like Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan inherited few nuclear arsenal of former Soviet Union but these nations quickly pursued complete nuclear disarmament they become nuclear free states till 1996.

·         In 1992 (START II) was reached between the United States and Russia that resulted into further drastically reduce each country’s strategic nuclear forces over a period extending into the early 21st century.

·         In the 1990s both the super powers negotiated successfully on Chemical Weapons Convention (1993), which prohibited the development, production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons. They agreed for the destruction of existing stocks within 10 years.

·         The 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, which would prohibit all forms of nuclear explosive testing, had been signed by more than 165 states and ratified by more than 100 by the early 21st century but had failed to enter into force because some of the 44 states whose signatures were required for its enactment (including the United States, China, India, Israel, North Korea, and Pakistan) chose not to sign. (https://www.britannica.com/topic/arms-control/Recent-efforts)

·         In 1997, as a result of efforts led by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), a treaty prohibiting the use of antipersonnel mines was negotiated; it went into effect in 1999, and, by the early 21st century, nearly 150 countries had signed it, though China, Russia, and the United States had not. (https://www.britannica.com/topic/arms-control/Recent-efforts)

·         In June 2002, despite intense international opposition, the United States, citing fundamental changes in its security needs since the 1970s, withdrew from the ABM Treaty to pursue a national missile defense system designed to protect the country against nuclear attack. The United States subsequently offered to share defense technology with Russia and cover some of its allies, but the Russian response was lukewarm. Although Russia opposed the U.S. decision, its reaction was restrained; in May 2002, five months after the United States announced its intent to withdraw from the ABM Treaty, the two countries signed the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty, which committed each side to reducing its store of strategic nuclear warheads. Russia subsequently announced that it would no longer be bound by the START II agreement, which its parliament had ratified in 2000. (https://www.britannica.com/topic/arms-control/Recent-efforts)

·         In May 2008, representatives of more than 100 countries met in Dublin to conclude an agreement that banned the use of cluster bombs, which release dozens of smaller bombs (“bomb lets”) over a wide area. The Cluster Munitions Coalition, a network of nongovernmental organizations including the ICBL and Amnesty International, had spearheaded efforts to prohibit the devices on the grounds that unexploded bomb lets present a lethal risk to civilians long after a conflict has ended. The Convention on Cluster Munitions was adopted despite opposition from the largest manufacturers and stockpiles of the weapons (including China, Russia, and the United States). It was signed in December 2008 and entered into force on Aug. 1, 2010. (https://www.britannica.com/topic/arms-control/Recent-efforts)