This amendment was made by the NAC knowing that they are likely to lose support and votes for the resolution principally from those states that are involved with the U.S. in the development of TMD programmes. The belief of the New Agenda Coalition that their role is to push at the boundaries of what is considered to be diplomatically realistic in the realm of nuclear disarmament deserves the support of NGOs, Campaigns and activists. It is, of course, vitally important that we, nevertheless, retain our radical positions. For instance, by opposing the militarisation of space, not just the weaponisation.

The U.S. exerts control on allies

The NAC are also challenging the Nuclear Weapons States and in particular the US and its allies by highlighting non-strategic nuclear weapons in a separate and detailed resolution. The point of interest here is the extreme reaction of the U.S. to this initiative. First they called a meeting of delegates from the NATO states plus Australia, Japan and South Korea to discuss the issue. In addition the U.S. has been in contact with a number of the capitals of these states to make sure that none support the resolution. The U.S. strategy of controlling its allies is in full swing.

Votes on these two resolutions will be later this week or early next week.

Dave Knight
Chair, Advisory Committee
Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space
PO Box 90083
Gainesville, FL. 32607
(352) 337-9274
http://www.space4peace.org
globalnet@mindspring.com