Properly used, it can do much to reduce tensions or prevent them from arising. But unhappily, as you rightly observe, governments and institutions are more inclined to react to crises rather than prevent them. The truth of this statement is amply reflected in the deplorable stagnation of the overall disarmament and non-proliferation agend. As we know all too well, progress in the disarmament field tends to reflect the general political climate of the day. In less than three months' time, we shall be opening the Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
More countries have nuclear-weapon capability than ever before.
Fissile material negotiations have not even begun. A dangerous arms race looms on the horizon. That list is indeed discouraging. But it is even more disheartening to hear nuclear-weapon States reiterate their nuclear doctrines, postures and plans, which envisage reliance on nuclear weapons for the foreseeable future . The Conference on Disarmament must show far greater urgency and flexibility in its search for a compromise on its programme of work.