A turn for the better ... Conference on Disarmament begins work for 1988 in 'a changed international situation.'

A turn for the better...

Conference on Disarmament begins work for 1988 in a changed international situation'

The 40-member Geneva-based Conference on Disarmament began its work in 1988 in what its President described as a "changed international situation" raising hopes for further progress on disarmament issues.

In opening the session on 2 February, the Conference President for February, Harald Rose of the German Democratic Republic, said that after years of harsh confrontation, a continuing arms race and growing tensions, "a turn for the better appears possible". He cited, in particular, the December 1987 Soviet-United States accord on intermediate- and shorter-range nuclear forces (INF). The disarmament process must now be advanced at all levels, he declared.

"More arms do not mean greater security", said Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar, in a message to the Conference. "Security can be sought and assured at progressively lower levels of armaments with appropriate collateral measures." He called for strengthening the role of the Conference in the disarmament process and accelerating progress towards new treaties and instruments.

"The priority is to consolidate and promote ... the convergence of views that is beginning to take place. Where the possibility of agreement exists, it needs to be encouraged and concretized. Where confidence and trust begin to grow, they need to be nurtured."

During meetings in February and March, the Conference reestablished five ad hoc committees to deal with issues related to chemical...