"British and French nuclear weapons programmes at 'a crossroads'," BASIC, 5 June 2006.

According to a new report by the Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission, Britain and France "will have to decide whether it will be meaningful to retain costly nuclear arsenals that were developed for an enemy that no longer exists, in order to meet hypothetical threats against which such weapons are of questionable value."

The British American Security Information Council (BASIC) welcomes the timely publication of 'Weapons of Terror - Freeing the World of Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Arms' by the Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Commission.

The detailed 230-page report is based on the premise that war can best be prevented by more active non-proliferation policies, implemented collectively through the United Nations. Effective multilateralism and verification must reinforce efforts to promote common security and a rule-based international order with resort to coercive measures under Chapter VII of the UN Charter if necessary.

The WMD Commission report builds on the 1982 Common Security report, the 1986 Canberra Commission and the 1998 Tokyo Forum Action Plan. Despite the growing need for collective action on non-proliferation, "governments and world public opinion are paying less attention to the global regimes for arms control and disarmament" according to the Commission's Chairman, Hans Blix. As regards British and French policy, the report says both governments:

will have to decide whether it will be meaningful to retain costly nuclear arsenals that were developed for an enemy that no longer exists, in order to meet hypothetical threats against which such weapons are of questionable value. Both countries are now at a crossroads: going down one road would show their conviction that nuclear weapons are not necessary for their security, while the other would demonstrate to all other states a belief that these weapons continue to be indispensable. In addition, by pursuing their security interests without nuclear weapons, they would avoid the need for costly investments in dangerous new nuclear capabilities or replacements for existing weapons.

While critical of US policy, Dr Blix concluded, "if it takes the lead the world is likely to follow. If it does not take the lead, there could be more nuclear tests and new nuclear arms races".

"With the failure of the 2005 Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference still fresh in our minds", said BASIC Director Dr Ian Davis, "I strongly support the Commission's call for a World Summit on non-proliferation and disarmament to generate some momentum behind the stagnant international forums and to regenerate public debate".

The most important recommendations of the report are subsumed under the following headings:

• Agree on general principles of action
  
• Reduce the danger of present arsenals: no use by states - no access by terrorists
  
• Prevent proliferation: no new weapons systems - no new possessors
  
• Work towards outlawing all weapons of mass destruction once and for all
  

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan welcomed the report on receiving it from Dr Blix in New York on 1 June. A spokesman for Mr. Annan called it "an important contribution to the debate on disarmament and non-proliferation" and urged the international community "to study the report and consider its recommendations."

On 7 June, Dr Blix will join the Arms Control Association in Washington, D.C. to discuss the Commission's report.

On 12 June, Dr Blix will join the WMD Awareness Programme and the All Party Parliamentary Group on Global Security and Non-Proliferation in London for the UK launch of the Commission's report. (Contact Carol Naughton on 07736 698 702.) BASIC is one of the founder members of the WMD Awareness Programme and facilitates the All Party Parliamentary Group.

For more information please contact:
Dr Ian Davis +44 (0)207 324 4685; mobile: 07887 782 389
Or
Nigel Chamberlain +44 (0)1768 898641
Or
Carol Naughton 07736 698 702

BASIC UK: The Grayston Centre, 2nd Floor, 28 Charles Square London N1 6HT, +44-(0)20-7324 4680
BASIC US: 110 Maryland Ave, NE, Suite 205, Washington, DC 20002, +1 202 546 8055
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