Reconciling national security and general and complete disarmament

As explained earlier in this volume, the concept of general and complete disarmament (GCD), which crystalized during the cold war, is reflected in article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). According to that key provision, all States parties are under the obligation “to pursue negotiations in good faith” not only on “effective measures relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race at an early date and to nuclear disarmament” but also “on a treaty on general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control” and there is no conditionality whatsoever between the former and the latter.

Related Subject(s): Disarmament