Arms Control in Transition

In addition to its efforts to provide the best in nuclear weapons technology, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has devoted much attention to the question of how to provide effective control of nuclear weapons. One consequence of this concern was a conference held at the Laboratory to examine policies and negotiating goals in five major areas of arms control: strategic arms limitations talks (SALT), long-range theater nuclear forces (LRTNF) restraints in Europe, nuclear weapons test limitations, arms control in space, and non-proliferation policies. The participants focused on desirable long-term goals and criteria for successful policies, realistic estimates of how closely such goals and policies can be achieved, and concrete steps that could be taken toward these goals in the immediate future. None of the conference speakers saw an easy time ahead: the complexities and difficulties of arms control measures, both technical and political, were emphasized more than once. There was general agreement that SALT and LRTNF negotiations should be pursued; there was also a sharp and clear division on the desirability of a comprehensive nuclear weapons test ban, although it was agreed that a ban at this time is not propitious. Despite differences of emphasis, particularly over the future role of nuclear energy, there was substantial agreement in the approach to the elements of future policy. In the closing round table discussion, a prescription emerged for the formulation of arms control policy within the government.