An analysis of the role of the United Nations in the field of disarmament: with particular reference to the 1978 special Session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament

Abstract

The subject of this thesis concerns an analysis of the role of the United Nations in the field of disarmament, with particular reference to the 1978 Special Session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament. This analysis comprises five components: First. A review and assessment of previous international disarmament deliberations within the United Nations system, 1945-1978. The objective here is to determine reasons for the Organization's inability to achieve more far-reaching disarmament measures in this period; it also provides important background information on the various issues which consistently hampered the international disarmament process. Further considered in this historical inquiry is the role of the Non-Aligned states in initiating the decision to convene a Special Session in Disarmament in 1978, and amplifying new issues in contemporary disarmament study. This role is evaluated in an appraisal of Non-Aligned Summits occurring between Belgrade, 1961 and Colombo, 1976. Second. An analysis of the work of the Preparatory Committee of the United Nations Special Session in deciding the substantive basis for that conference. This is an important study of the Committee's drafting of a four-part conference agenda - comprising: a Declaration, Principles, Programme of Action, and International Negotiating Machinery - which was later submerged into a comprehensive disarmament programme with the stated aim of general and complete disarmament. It also reveals a number of negotiating difficulties experienced between developed and developing states as to the actual content of this draft programme. Third. A detailed investigation of the Final Document of the Special Session, focussing specifically on its four-part constitution. The Final Document contained measures for the conduct of all present and future disarmament negotiations and deliberations within the UN General Assembly, and for the attainment of its over-all objective of general and complete disarmament. The Document requires a detailed scrutiny of its implications since it signifies a new era of consolidation for the UN, and its restoration to a primary and central position in all aspects of international disarmament. Fourth. A summary of results of the Special Session, and the extent to which they initiate a new disarmament direction for the United Nations. This focusses generally on what tangible results the Special Session achieved, and evaluates their contribution towards establishing a more vital, structured approach to global disarmament. Fifth. Overall Conclusions. This section takes a broad perspective of all preceding material and draws a number of conclusions about the past, present and future scope of the UN in disarmament, and identifies problems likely to endanger world peace in the foreseeable future. This thesis has advanced the following principal arguments, namely: (a) Disarmament must involve the participation of all nations and peoples in the search for just and equitable solutions. (b) The UN remains the most appropriate international forum for considering issues which affect the vital interests of member states. (c) General disarmament, by redressing economic and political disparities between states, could greatly benefit international development and security. (d) The universality of disarmament agreements, a mutual balance of responsibilities between nuclear weapons and non-nuclear weapons states, and the implementation of confidence-building measures, could greatly assist the process of global disarmament. (e) Political will among states remains the decisive requirement for arms control and disarmament.