Chemical Weapons Arms Control: Formula For Disaster For US Security

The Center for Security Policy today released an analysis entitled Banning Chemical Weapons: Negotiating Unilateral U.S. Disarmament.

This analysis — which appears in adapted form as an op.ed. by the Center’s director, Frank J. Gaffney, Jr, in today’s Wall Street Journal — reveals a staggering reality: Responsible experts inside, as well as outside, of the U.S. government know that, as a practical matter, the negotiation of a "global" and "verifiable" ban on chemical weapons (one of the Bush Administration’s highest foreign policy priorities) is doomed to produce different and most undesirable results.

Gaffney said in releasing the Center’s report, "The unfortunate reality is that the capacity to manufacture lethal chemical agents now exists the world over. No arms control agreement or verification regime can ensure that that capacity will remain untapped. What is more, even the current treaty limiting chemical weapons — one banning their first use — has been repeatedly violated."

He added, "Consequently, instead of eliminating all chemical weapons worldwide, the only ones sure to be eliminated by the treaty President Bush seeks are those of the United States. Should such a treaty be concluded, this country will assuredly lose its ability to retaliate in kind against chemical attack. The United States will have no confidence, however, that others are unable to mount such attacks."

The Center for Security Policy deplores the suggestion made by some self-appointed "authorities" on chemical weapons matters to the effect that this reality should not stand in the way of the United States quickly becoming a party to a treaty banning these weapons. Such advice is predicated upon certain unsupportable assumptions (for example, that nuclear weapons, other military capabilities or mere moral suasion will suffice to deter chemical attacks against this country or its friends and allies overseas). It also reflects a supercilious attitude toward U.S. security interests that is utterly incompatible with prudent and responsible defense policy.

The Center calls upon President Bush to confirm that, however much he remains personally committed to pursuit of an agreement banning chemical weapons, so long as any country has the capability to produce chemical weapons, the United States will retain its own retaliatory stockpile of such weapons.