The United States is in the process of developing a 'National Missile Defence' shield that enables
it launch a nuclear attack against an opponent whilst protecting itself through ballistic missile
tracking.
Far from 'defensive' this is an offensive move by the US which in effect will enable them to use
nuclear weapons with impunity. The US is the only country in the world which has actually used
nuclear weapons and this represents a very real threat to world safety.
The Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty of 1972 prohibits nuclear states 'National Missile Defence.'
The UN General Assembly called for 'full and strict compliance with the treaty' in December -
the US was one of four to vote against. Whilst other nuclear states such as France, China,
Russia and India supported the motion at the General Assembly, Britain abstained.
Meanwhile the US continues to progress the shield, wanting to use the Fylingdales base in
Yorkshire as a base for its new NMD, making Britain a prime target for a nuclear strike. The
British Government has not taken a definitive public position on the matter. The government
must be called on to publicly oppose any amendment to the ABM treaty. Eleven trade union
leaders described NMD as "reprehensible backward step in international relations" in a recent
letter to the Financial Times.
CND is calling on the government to make a clear commitment that neither Fylingdales,
Menwith Hill nor any other facility in this country will be used in the development of NMD.
Historically, students have been the driving force of the peace movement. Never has there been a
more critical time for students to take up this role again. Student Broad Left supports
Student CND network which aims to link up students with the mass peace movement.
