PRESS RELEASE

New Report Highlights Danger to UK
of Increased US Nuclear Aggression

As the US Government undertakes a radical reappraisal of the size, composition and role of its nuclear arsenal, a major new report examines the implications for Britain’s own nuclear deterrent.

BASIC’s new report, “Secrecy and Dependence: The UK Trident System in the 21^st Century”, examines the close links between UK and US nuclear development and policies.  The Bush administration’s desire for a more versatile nuclear capability, and Washington’s deep opposition to international arms control, raise serious questions about existing UK Government commitments to nuclear non-proliferation.  Exploring these conflicting currents, the report highlights key nuclear weapons policy questions that will need to be addressed during Labour’s second term.  

Behind Washington’s recently announced reductions in its nuclear weapons – slashing its massive 6,000-warhead arsenal down to almost 2,000 in the next ten years – are plans for further nuclear weapons development.  Efforts are mounting to create a new nuclear warhead, a low-yield “mini-nuke” that would provide the United States with the capability to use nuclear weapons in regional conflicts.  This new weapon would complement the Bush administration’s increasing interest in using US nuclear force to counter chemical and biological weapons aggressors.  Mark Bromley, BASIC Analyst, said: “With steps to develop a smaller, more usable nuclear arsenal, US policy threatens to escalate the arms race and turn Bush’s pledged reductions into worthless promises.”

The UK nuclear weapons programme is intertwined on many levels with that of the United States.  If Washington adopts a more aggressive nuclear posture, London may be forced to follow suit, with damaging consequences for international attempts to control the spread of nuclear weapons.  However, “Secrecy and Dependence” urges Tony Blair to introduce and encourage wider multilateral disarmament talks amongst the nuclear powers, and become a true leader in global nuclear disarmament.  Such a move would reinforce Britain’s long-standing commitment to arms control agreements and help to stem the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Dr Ian Davis, BASIC’s Director, remarked: “The emergence of a new, more aggressive US nuclear posture and the collapse of multilateral arms control agreements raise serious questions about UK nuclear weapons policy.  The time is right for an open and honest debate about the future role of the UK Trident system and continued wisdom of our secretive and dependent nuclear relationship with the United States.”

For further information, please contact 
Mark Bromley or Ian Davis at +44 (0)20 7407 2977

Back to British Nuclear Policy

Back to BASIC Publications home page