World without Nuclear Weapons

“This is the moment to begin the work of seeking the peace of world without nuclear
weapons”
Man has achieved tremendous progress in developing scientific technology for the welfare and well-
being of humanity, but simultaneously, he has also developed weapons for his own destruction. To
acquire power–the most flagrant of all passions–he created weapons including explosive, chemical,
biological and nuclear. Among them, the nuclear weapons are the most destructive causing mass
destruction. Though, these have been used once in history during the World War-II, these have created
a perpetual fear of annihilation among all humans. Now, with the evolving of a multi-cultural globalized
world, there is an increase in momentum to develop a consensus for achieving Global Zero- elimination
of all nuclear weapons. To succeed in this initiative, the need is to sit together, contemplate, devise a
strategy and agree to divert this capability from weapons to welfare of humanity. The most resounding
argument, generating urge to achieve this task lies in the brief history of apocalyptic perils of nuclear
weapons.

The perils of atomic weapons were manifest as the two cities of Japan were wreaked when the bombs
were dropped on them. In Hiroshima, some 75,000 people were immediately killed by blast, fire and
radiation. Another 70,000 died by the end of 1945. Three days later in Nagasaki, plutonium bomb killed
about 40,000 people immediately, another 75,000 died by the end of 1945. Five days after Nagasaki’s
flattening, Japan surrendered. But the impact didn’t stop there. Thousands people died in following
years due to radiation. Tens of thousands became disabled. Not only the people present at the time
suffered but the ‘unborn’ as well. Thousands others were born with deformities and genetic disorders
due to which successive generations have suffered.

The Americans and Japanese learned different lessons from these bombings. “The Americans lesson
was; the nuclear weapons win wars, and therefore have value. The Japanese learned that human being
and nuclear weapons cannot co-exist.” (David Krieger, President Nuclear Age Peace Foundation).
However, the danger posed by nuclear weapons today is far greater than the destruction they caused in
Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Today, the number of nuclear weapons around the world is about 30,000 bombs with far greater weight
and destruction power. Even a fraction of these weapons could put an end to human as well as other
species on our planet. It is clear that if we don’t achieve ‘Global Zero’, our planet is always at risk, of
being converted into a ‘Ground Zero’. This could happen not only due to a deliberate act but also
accidental incident. Therefore, there is a strong reason that ‘these weapons must be abolished before
they abolish us’.

Today, the number of nuclear weapons around the world is about 30,000 bombs with far greater weight
and destruction power. Even a fraction of these weapons could put an end to human as well as other
species on our planet. It is clear that if we don’t achieve ‘Global Zero’, our planet is always at risk, of
being converted into a ‘Ground Zero’. This could happen not only due to a deliberate act but also
accidental incident. Therefore, there is a strong reason that ‘these weapons must be abolished before
they abolish us’.
Another, important incident took place in the US on August 31, 2007. Air Force crew loaded six live
nuclear warheads onto a 8-52 Bomber and flew from ‘Minot Air Force Base’ in North Dakota to ‘ Air
Force Base’ in cruising over the country’s heartland (Around 15 states). Each warhead was 10 times
more powerful than the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In analysis report,
America’s science Board (DSB) revealed that ‘six of the planet’s most powerful weapons were missing
and no one noticed until they had landed in Louisiana after flight of 3 ½ hours.’ The report concluded
that ‘human error was at the heart of the incident.’

This incident underscores the risk of accidental nuclear explosion threat due to ‘human error’ even in
the country of its origin and in the ‘peace times’. It is important to note that this incident occurred in the
US, which claims to employ world’s best safety standards for nuclear weapons. While the US itself keeps
expressing concern over the safety of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal.

It is learnt from these incidents that the humanity is at the risk of just single human error, if the nuclear
weapons exist in the world. Therefore, wisdom calls for elimination of all nuclear weapons in order to
make the future of humanity—our generation and our future generations – safe and secure.

In addition, the Cold War which was the pushing force behind nuclear race has ended two decades ago.
Also due to the interdependence of states in the current scenario, there is unlikeness of revival of such
conflicts.

Moreover, the presence of nuclear weapons in some states provides reason and pretext for other
ambitious nations to acquire the same status. This unwise race has itself caused devastating effects on
economy and human development, particularly in developing countries.

One of the major world powers, the USSR too, collapsed under the heavy burden of extraordinary
spending on economy. The developing countries like India, Pakistan, and North Korea also joined the
race. They did succeed in acquiring nuclear weapons but their poor population is suffering from abject
poverty. A country like Pakistan, which is merely surviving at the edge of economic insolvency, could
gain much economic growth, had the resources been for the welfare of people. Iranians are bearing the
sanctions imposed by western powers through the UN for pursuing nuclear technology, which according
to them, is aimed at acquiring weapons.

Besides, the argument to possess nuclear weapons to maintain deterrence capability has also lost its
ground. More the states acquire ‘nukes’, more the risk of their use builds-up. Moreover, the presence of
nukes always poses risk of slipping into the hands of terrorists. Admiral Noel a former commander-in-
chief of the Pacific Command of US Navy, asks, “Is difference of nuclear weapons still possible?” He
answers, “No”. He also questions, “Does nuclear disarmament imperil our security?” He answers, “No, it
enhances it.” As human – beings are fallible, deterrence is not a perfect system. It can be failed by
human error, accident, miscalculation or simply miscommunication. “Does it make sense to risk the
future of our cities and even the human species on an unprovable theory?”, David Krieger, founder of
the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation.

This is why, fortunately, the initiative of achieving peace of the world without nuclear weapons is
gaining support among both the senior military and the political leaders of the world. The increasing
number of leaders have what Abraham Lincoln said, “We must think anew and act anew.” Recently
many world leaders have expressed willingness to move towards this goal. British Prime Minister Brown
Gorden said in March 2008 that the UK was ready to work for “a world that is free from nuclear
weapons.” On December 5, 2008, Nicholas Sarkozy, the French President, while holding EU Presidency,
wrote a letter to UN General Secretary, outlining an EU plan to advance global progress toward nuclear
disarmament.

In order to seize this positive trend, to achieve the commitment of the entire international community,
and to re-energy effort for complete nuclear disarmament, a new initiative “Global Zero” was launched
on December 9, 2008, in Paris. The initiative was endorsed by 100 international political, military,
business and civic leaders across the world. The signatories included former US President Jimmy Carter,
former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, former British Foreign Secretary Margaret Becket, Queen Noor
of Jordan, former Joint Chief of the Staff committee (JCSC) of Pakistan, former Indian National Security
advisor Mishra.

Global Zero envisages eliminating nuclear weapons through phased and verified reduction over a period
of years. Key steps include:

• Massive reduction in Russian-US arsenal.

• Complete elimination to zero by all states.

• Establishing verification system to keep check.

• International management of the fuel cycle.

There are many positive indicators which indicate why this goal is achievable. First; there is a strong
historical support. Throughout the nuclear age, even at the height of the Cold War, leaders foresaw a
day when the world could be free of nukes. In 1986, Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev and US President
Ronald Reagan agreed that: “A nuclear war could never be won and must never be fought.” In 1999,
Chinese President Jiang Zemin stated: “There is no reason why nuclear weapons should not be
comprehensively banned and completely destroyed.

Second; as Jiang Zemin had emphase in his statement, ‘What it takes to reach this objective is no more
than a strong political will.’ The world leaders agree with the idea of a world without nukes and have the
means to achieve it. What they only need is the ‘Political will’. Some analysts argue that even if the
major world powers agree to eliminate nuclear weapons, country like Iran might not agree to abandon
its ambition. Though Iran’s nuclear weapon ambitions is a fallacy, there is a strong reason why Iran
would follow the course. “If there is growing support by nuclear powers and public opinion worldwide, I
think it becomes harder for any government, including Iran, to cross that barrier”, said Richard Burt,
who was Washington’s Chief negotiator in the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) talks in the early
1990s. Naturally, no country can afford to be on the one side and whole of the world on the other.

Third; there is a strong support among majority of the people around the world. A poll of 21 countries
conducted by Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA), USA, shows that global public opinion is
overwhelmingly in favors of an international agreement for eliminating all nuclear weapons. 76 per cent
of respondents, across all countries polled, favor such an agreement. As the public opinion tends to
direct the policies of governments, it is likely that the leaders would come to the table.

This new and unprecedented political support from the heads of the world’s most important
governments’ for zero nuclear weapons has made this goal possible. This moment offers both the
possibilities and dangers. Possibilities; because of new leadership in the US which appears to support
the goal of nuclear abolition. Dangers; because, if this moment passes without action, then the nuclear-
race could quickly gather pace with many more states acquiring weapons and the risk of weapons falling
into the hands of terrorists would increase.

This opportunity must be seized. It is the time for a new beginning to achieve a world free of nuclear
weapons. This moment calls for embracing possibilities and dispelling dangers. The phased and
verifiable elimination of nuclear weapons is possible. Here are some of the steps needed to achieve this
goal:

This is an absolutely insensible approach to accumulate that much big arsenal that fraction of which can
destroy the whole world. “When a country can be destroyed by a dozen weapons, its own possession of
thousands of weapons gains no security”, says Admiral Noel Gayler. The huge possession of nukes itself
puts larger responsibility on the US and Russia to initiate the process of disarmaments up to minimum
level. The successful conclusion of ‘START NEW’ between both powers strengthens the possibility of
reaching an agreement on nuclear disarmament.

Thirdly; following the reductions by the US and Russia, the rest of the countries can be brought on board
for complete abolition of nukes. It would not be a difficult task. Once the powerful countries lead the
course, rest will follow them. Perhaps others seem poised to welcome such move. The willingness of
China, the UK and France has already been mentioned. The two South Asian countries India and Pakistan
are also ready to shun the nukes. Last June, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, backed the same
goal, saying that: “The only effective form of nuclear disarmament and elimination of nuclear weapons is
global disarmament.” President Zardari has also talked of “nuclear weapon-free South Asia”. North
Korea is already on-board in