The bomb

U.S. should work to reduce nuclear arsenals

India sent a shiver around the world last week when it conducted tests of nuclear weapons. The United States led the worldwide outrage over the tests with a prompt condemnation of India's actions and the cessation of all non-humanitarian aid to the country. The U.S. should continue to discourage the proliferation of nuclear weapons and work towards a reduction of all nuclear arsenals, including its own.

The surprise tests added more instability to an already volatile area. India's neighbors, Pakistan and China, both expressed their alarm at the bold developments. The situation warrants their concern, as both countries have fought with India at points during its 50-year history. A Pakistani nuclear test may occur within the next few days, and the Chinese may feel a need to conduct a test of their own.

India asserts that such tests are necessary for its security. All nations have an obligation to protect their people, and considering the ever-changing state of world affairs, India's desire to increase its military capabilities is understandable. But developing nuclear arms is the wrong avenue to take in pursuing this goal. These types of weapons create destruction on a scale that defies description. One bomb has the potential to destroy an entire city and all the lives that call it home. This is not the type of power any nation needs.

Because many of the world's leading nations - the U.S., Great Britain, France, Russia and China - have nuclear capabilities, developing nations such as India and Pakistan feel that possessing nuclear weaponry is a necessary part of being a world power. These five powers in particular need to lead the way toward nuclear disarmament.

So far, the U.S. has responded strongly to the tests. Losing the substantial economic aid the U.S. provides should cause India to hesitate before it conducts any future tests. Sending diplomats to try and calm the situation is another bright move. But as a leading power, the U.S. should take action that sets an example for the rest of the world.

The U.S. should reduce its own nuclear arsenal as it asks other nations to abstain from developing nuclear weapons. As long as countries have large reserves of such warheads, other nations will seek to be on a similar standing. Of course, reducing nuclear weapons stockpiles is very difficult. The main obstacle to disarmament is that no country wants to reduce its capabilities and let other countries surpass it. Any reduction in arms would have to involve an agreement between a number of nations. Through negotiations, the U.S. should seek to reduce its arsenal along with the other four great powers. These nations can set a new tone for the world - the current message is that nuclear weapons are a necessity.

With the development of the atomic bomb, the world opened a pandora's box. Destruction on unheard of scales is possible, and more countries continue to develop weapons of mass destruction. The more that are developed, the greater the potential that a nuclear incident could occur. The world must work together towards the dismantling of these weapons to reduce the possibility of nuclear disaster.

05-18-98