CIAO DATE: 03/2004

Addressing the Threat of Weapons of Mass Destruction: A moment of opportunity for the EU?

Abstract

Today's "hot topics" which include Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) capability in the Iraqi crisis and the unexpected escalating threat of nuclear break-out from North Korea, have forced many who had earlier dismissed or marginalized this concept to think again. Despite the successful build-down of East-West armed confrontation, both nuclear and conventional after the Cold War, quantities of unwanted, dangerous materials are still stored on former Warsaw Pact territory. The US, Europe and Russia all recognize these challenges, but diverge over questions of prioritisation, favoured responses, and the relevance of "traditional non-proliferation and disarmament methods. Our expert meeting on the 17th of March 2003 provided for a first class discussion on the theme. Ian Anthony's paper gives an excellent account of the policy opportunities for the EU, which is at a critical juncture in non proliferation and arms control with a new Joint action due to be promulgated this year. With the US and EU having implemented assistance projects to reinforce non proliferation in the 90's in Russia and the NIS, there is a genuine opportunity to work together measures to combat the spread of WMD's. Joint Commitment to follow through international legislation on WMD and concrete cooperation to work in practice will provide some real substance to New European American Russian relationship.

Full text (PDF format, 8 pages, 155.6 KB)