Promoting an agenda for nuclear weapons elimination: The Canberra Commission and dilemmas of disarmament

This paper examines the role of the Canberra Commission in terms of consolidating and influencing the agenda on international negotiations towards the elimination of nuclear weapons. The Commission's Report is significant for two main reasons. First, it represents a unique form of disarmament diplomacy by the Australian Government which combined the post-Cold War international climate of security cooperation with the foreign policy aspirations of an activist middle power. Second, the Report refutes the strategic, technological and political arguments against nuclear elimination in a comprehensive and convincing manner, arguing that without elimination, the world faces increased threats of nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism. This paper thus concludes that the Canberra Commission has been instrumental in strengthening the taboo against the possession, testing or use of nuclear weapons.

Riddles of disarmament: Saddam and the Washington sniper

The mythic relationship that both "terrorists" share with American society is powerful. Saddam was armed as an anti-fundamentalist deterrent with Washington cash reserves, with his technologies for mass destruction a predictable by-product. The main Washington sniper comes from a landscape mushroomed with militia and dilettante gun specialists.

Peace march 1964 Brisbane Australia

Marchers during the 1964 peace march, Brisbane, Australia, holding banners and placards

Inala Darra Peace Committee during Hiroshima Day 1964, Brisbane

Members of the Inala Darra Peace Committee during Hiroshima Day 1964, Brisbane.

Graceville and District Peace Committee members with banner during Hiroshima Day 1964, Brisbane

Graceville and District Peace Committee members with banner during Hiroshima Day 1964, Brisbane, Australia.

Tram at South Brisbane station, Brisbane Australia

Three men inspecting tram at South Brisbane station, Brisbane Australia, during No War Toys outing. WILPF (Womens International League for Peace and Freedom) banner can be seen on the front of the tram. The Women's International League for Peace and Freedom was founded in 1915. It works towards disarmament, political solutions to international conflicts, equal participation of women in activities, economic justice and the elimination of racism and discrimination. To achieve these goals, the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom organises meetings, conferences and campaigns.

Women with umbrellas during Peace march on Sunday April 5th 1964, Brisbane.

Two women with umbrellas outside a cemetery during Peace march, Sunday April 5th Brisbane, Australia, 1964.

Members of the Union of Australian Women with banner during Hiroshima Day 1964, Brisbane

Members of the Union of Australian Women with banner during Hiroshima Day 1964, Brisbane, Australia. The Union of Australian Women is a national organisation that was formed in 1950. Its aim is to work for the status and wellbeing of women across the world. It has been involved in a wide variety of campaigns that concern women. The Union of Australian Women networks with other women's community and union groups on such issues.

Nuclear weapons as obstacles to international security

This article argues that nuclear weapons serve no useful purpose in military calculations; moreover, their continued retention invites the dangers of further proliferation and of accidental use. They are thus defined here as obstacles to, rather than as facilitators of, international security. Seven reasons are presented to support this contention, including an assessment of the moral implications and the strategic limitations of nuclear weapons. Despite these limitations, and the recent commitments made by the nuclear weapon states to eliminate their arsenals, nuclear weapons remain central to the strategic doctrines of these states. Several reasons are put forward to explain why this retention continues, including the unchanging nature of strategic mindsets, the presence of vested interests, and now, in the case of the USA at least, a renewed reliance on nuclear weapons, regardless of how appropriate and effective such a strategy might be against emerging terrorist or `rogue state' threats.

Man and boy with Queensland Peace Committee banner during Aldermaston Peace march in 1964

Man and boy with Queensland Peace Committee banner during Aldermaston Peace march, Sunday, April 5th 1964. The Aldermaston march covered the distance between Ipswich and Brisbane, Australia, walked in relays covering approximately two miles each. Most relay sections were sponsored by one or more individual organisations.

Women with banner Ban the Bomb during Peace march on Sunday April 5th 1964, Brisbane.

Women with banner Ban the Bomb during Peace march, Sunday April 5th Brisbane, Australia, 1964.

Two men with placards during Aldermaston Peace march in 1964

Two men with placards during Aldermaston Peace march, Sunday, April 5th 1964. The Aldermaston march covered the distance between Ipswich and Brisbane, Australia, walked in relays covering approximately two miles each. Most relay sections were sponsored by one or more individual organisations.