Disarmament

Submitted by Professor Roger Dittmann, representing the World Federation of Scientific Workers

Roger Dittmann, Ph.D.
Professor of Physics Emeritus
National Coordinator
U.S. Federation of Scholars and Scientists
California State University, Fullerton, CA92634-6866
(714) 278-3421 or -5810 (fax); RDittmann@Fullerton.edu

Overall Goal: Reduction of the diversion of developmental resources (for the implementation of a New International Economic Order) into military expenditures.

Preamble: While a few underdeveloped nations spend an inordinate proportion of their limited resources on unnecessary military expenditures, an overwhelming share of the world military budget is spent by the industrialized nations. It has been repeatedly emphasized that destructive military expenditures are diverted from pressing social needs. These effects are documented in the paper which the WFSW has submitted to this conference, "New Economic and Social Implications of the Arms Race--Dangers and Challenges." While it is true that there are severe social problems in the industrialized countries, the most egregious social conditions exist in what are euphemistically called "the developing countries," even though many of them have been suffering disdevelopment, impoverishment, and immiseration. While a cessation of the diversion of social resources to the military could ameliorate conditions in all countries, it would not of itself automatically result in the availability of developmental assistance to the poor nations. The nations with the most tanks generally have the most tractors.

It then seems appropriate to suggest concrete measures which would 1)reduce the need for arms by establishing an International Security System, 2)discourage arms expenditures, and 3)concomitantly provide funds for both the International Security System and for the establishment of a New International Economic Order. Some of the proposals are mild reforms which may not experience intense opposition, but long term, principled, almost utopian proposals are not excluded. Many of the changes, it can be argued, are vitally necessary for survival. It remains to be seen whether humanity can muster the political will to make these, or similar changes. Little prospect for immediate acceptance, given the state of the world, has not been used as an excuse to exclude progressive proposals. Fundamental changes take some time and effort, but let us continue.

A. (External Security) Establish an International Security System.

1. International Justice System.

a. Decisions of the International Court of Justice are to be made binding, not merely advisory.

b. The International Law Commission should be assigned the task of reviewing the International Court of Justice, and the International Justice System in general, in order to evaluate the degree to which it reflects the legal philosophy of the world community of nations, and of recommending changes to more faithfully reflect that philosophy. It should study and propose the best way to implement the establishment of a UN Investigation Office, UN Prosecutors Office, and a standing International Police Force which would be authorized to arrest individuals, including especially government officials and military personnel, who violate International Statutes as components of the International Justice System to administer world rule of law.

2. UN Reform.

a. Abolish the Security Council and divide its functions among the General Assembly, the Peoples' Assembly [when and if established], the International Court of Justice, and the Secretary-General..

b. The Charter Revision Committee of the General Assembly should convene a World Commission of Parliamentarians and Political Scientists to promote reforms to strengthen the efficacy of the UN. In particular two major reform thrusts should be subject to comparative analysis, viz.:

i) Triad Unicameral Reform, in which voting strength is to be based upon a combination of population, national sovereignty, and assessed financial contributions to support the UN.

ii) Bicameral Reform, in which a Parliament, elected by direct popular vote, would be formed. A recommendation to establish such a body should be accompanied by a Time Table for the gradual empowerment of the Parliament and of the General Assembly by progressive stages and for the disestablishment of the Security Council so that a bicameral UN legislature consisting of the General Assembly and the Parliament would ultimately result. This should be a prelude to a UN Charter Reform Constitutional Convention in which such recommendations would be considered and ratified..

c. Establish the power of the UN to tax directly. Of relevance to the topic of this conference would be a tax on armaments to provide funds for the NIEO and for the International Security System (See Section II.A). There should also be a Severance Tax on non-renewable resources.

B. (Internal Security) The NIEO and developmental (UNCTAD) assistance through NGO networking can help achieve social and economic justice which will enhance internal security.

II. Discourage Production and Sales of Armaments and Concomitantly Increase Support for the International Rule of Law (International Security System) and for Development (NIEO).

A. Tax High Technology, Capital-Intensive, Offensive Weaponry.

The General Assembly should establish an International Military Panel of expert umpires

1) to appraise weapons (nuclear warheads, missiles, satellites, aircraft, tanks, etc.) on a sliding scale of these three criteria, high technology, capital intensity, and offensive nature. Tax scales are to be levied on existing arsenals, with progressively higher rates for new acquisitions and for international sales or transfers, by action of the General Assembly.

2) to help implement the 1973 USSR proposal for a ten percent reduction in the military expenditures of the five permanent members of the Security Council with ten percent of these savings to be provided for developmental assistance which was approved by the General Assembly by;

a) recommending the establishment of measures for standardized reporting of military expenditures;

b) by recommending measures to verify reports of military forces and expenditures;

c) by recommending definitions and criteria for evaluating military expenditures. If any of the five permanent members of the Security Council fails to reduce its military expenditures the required ten percent, they shall be assessed a tax of two percent (twenty percent of ten percent) of their appraised military budget.

B. Enforcement shall be by

1) publicizing tax evasion,

2) legalizing seizure of properties belonging to the economies of the offending countries and legalizing the recovery of losses from these seizures from the governments of the offending countries.

C. Nuclear Testing. Authorize a moratorium on all debt payments to governments which conduct nuclear testing. Outstanding government to government debt is to be reduced by 5% for each test conducted.

D. Assignment of Taxes. Legalize the voluntary diversion of the military share of individual taxes to the UN.

E. Ban Weapon Systems.

1. Ban production or stockpiling of specified chemical weapons.

2. Ban production or stockpiling of biological weapons.

3. Ban use of nuclear weapons.

4. Ban weapons in space.

III. World Space Organization.

Space should be declared to be the common heritage of humanity. "Star Peace" should be pursued through the establishment of a World Space Organization supported in part by a sliding scale tax on military satellites (See Section II.A) in order to provide communications services, rescue and disaster reporting, resource surveys and management, ecological protection, weather forecasting, navigation, scientific research, development of industrial applications, space exploration and other services for the common benefit of humanity.

IV. Law of the Sea.

International waters have been declared to be the common heritage of humanity. The Treaty of the Law of the Sea should be expanded to establish an International Seas Agency which will be charged with protecting and developing sea resources in conjunction with the International Seabed Authority and its Enterprise, which is charged with seabed mineral extraction. All proceeds from licensing or from direct development and exploitation of resources will accrue to the UN.

V. Antarctica

Antarctica should be declared the common heritage of humanity. An Antarctic Agency would be charged with protecting and utilizing Antarctica.

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