Speaking about the relationship between disarmament and terrorism, Japan's Ambassador for Disarmament in Geneva Kuniko Inoguchi emphasized that, "Disarmament is indispensable to any fundamental solution to terrorism. If military expenditures are reduced and local development is achieved, democracy will take root and, ultimately, the antagonists can be reconciled." She also pointed out the need to move disarmament from a bilateral process between the US and Russia to a multilateral process that focuses on arms control. She called for more active utilization of the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, which has been stalemated for some time.

Next, four speakers offered summaries of the conference deliberations, reporting on such topics as control of radioactive substances and strengthening restrictions on small arms. In his summary, Chairman Tsutomu Ishiguri, director of the UN Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific noted, "After the terrorist attack on the US, we have been forming a new, federalist world order. We need to utilize the results of this conference in future arms control and disarmament negotiations and build a framework for international cooperation against terrorism."

- News Analysis

Disarmament as terror prevention

At this Disarmament Conference, the 14th since 1989, the main theme was verifying the impact the terrorist attacks last September have had on disarmament and global security. At the same time, it was a search for ways to fight international terrorist organizations, to safely control radioactive substances, and make progress in disarmament.

During the three plenary sessions, experts and diplomats from a number of countries presented a total of 17 detailed analytical reports from a variety of angles. The lively discussion was based on those reports.

One nearly unanimous view among the participants is that nuclear disarmament, which was already in retreat thanks to the Bush administration, was set back further after last year's terrorist attacks.

Another common theme at the conference was the assertion that fighting terrorism and disarmament present no contradiction. Pursuing bilateral and multilateral disarmament generates unity in worldwide public opinion and benefits efforts to prevent international terrorist activities.

Opinions were divided regarding the use of military force to suppress terrorist organizations. Some believe no military force should be used. Others accept the possibility but insist that it should on be used under the auspices of the UN. However, both sides agreed that without measures to eliminate hunger, poverty, social inequities and other fundamental causes, military force alone can never eliminate terrorism.

Previous disarmament conferences have tended to focus on the conflicts between the US, Russia, and China regarding missile defense (MD), and most have ended in one-way expressions of opinion. In this conference, with measures against international terror as a main theme, those conflicts barely appeared. Citing of financial difficulties, only 12 countries and about 40 people attended this conference, down about two-thirds. On the other hand, the smaller numbers meant greater involvement and a deeper discussion.

The words and actions of Disarmament Ambassador Inoguchi, just appointed in May, were particularly noteworthy, revealing a passionate devotion to disarmament. I am looking forward to her accomplishments in this field.
(Akira Tashiro, senior staff writer)