Arms Control and Disarmament in a Divided World

Abstract

Recent developments in science and technology make obsolete not only previous weapons but also previous foreign policies and, even, ideologies. The arms race and the clash of ideologies between the Western world and the Soviet bloc are ominous facts. The world, however, need not be a prison in which mankind must await eventual execution. Four hopeful factors provide a possible basis for peaceful solution: the nuclear standoff and the development of workable deter rence; the gradual evolution of the Soviet Union toward more acceptable standards; the growth and development of the At lantic community and the United Nations; and the common interest of the Soviet. Union and the Western in avoiding gen eral war and in proceeding with economic improvement. The United States Arms Control and Disarmament Agency is the first of its kind in the world. It reflects the United States po sition that arms control and disarmament can serve as a means for communication, increasing understanding and reducing tensions, can reduce the chances of war by accident, miscalcu lation, and surprise attack, can be a practical means for stop ping the arms race and reducing armaments, and can be the pathway to a free, peaceful, and disarmed world. The criteria for acceptability of a disarmament plan to the United States are military or security soundness, for all countries, and the possibilities in it for serious negotiation.—Ed.