The Development of Current Non-Proliferation Policies

Abstract

The problem of nuclear proliferation is as old as nuclear power and nuclear weapons: how to enable the world to enjoy the benefits of the former without spreading the ability to make the latter. A radical and simple solution, which has found some support from the beginning, is to do without nuclear power and to abolish nuclear weapons. Yet nuclear power exists and the need for it is widespread. Nuclear weapons also exist, and although those who possess them are the most concerned about limiting their spread, no nuclear-weapon state has set an example to the world by giving up its weapons, nor is there any evidence that the world would be greatly influenced by such an act of renunciation.

M. J. Wilmshurst is a member of HM Diplomatic Service. He worked in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on nuclear energy and nonproliferation matters between 1974 and 1978. He is at present the Head of the UK Mission to the International Organisations in Vienna and is the UK Permanent Representative to the IAEA. This chapter, and Chapter 7, are based on a paper written in 1982 while he was on a sabbatical at the Stiftung Wissenschaft and Politik. The contents of the two chapters represent his own, personal, views in 1982: they do not represent the views of HMG and they were written before he took up his present appointment in Vienna.