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I come before you today to address an issue of great international importance, nuclear proliferation and the United States role in global disarmament of these weapons of mass destruction. Since the beginning of the Cold War, the United States has regarded nuclear weapons as an intricate part of its foreign policy. During that era, we faced an enemy which threatened the stability of the world. The United States responded to that threat by increasing its nuclear arsenal at an alarming rate. In the 90's, that threat nearly disappeared, spurred by the downfall of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, or the Soviet Union, which left America with thousands of nuclear weapons and as the only world super power. Because of this, nations such as China, Iran, and North Korea set out to begin or increase production of nuclear weapons in fear that the United States would use them against any potential enemies. Some of these nations justified the research and development of these weapons by saying that they have a right to protect themselves from the United States and any other aggressor that threatens them with nuclear warfare.
In 2003, the Defence Authorization bill and the Energy and Water Appropriations bill for the 2004 fiscal year, passed by Congress and signed into law on January 7, 2003, gave the United States the authorization to resume construction of nuclear weapons, and ability that America has not had in over 20 years. To nations around the globe, this signals a major shift in United States foreign policy because the nuclear devices being produced would be used on a more conventional level. In addition, both senate Resolution 76, presented on March 5, 2003, and House Resolution 291, presented on July 19, 2003, detail what would happen if the US were to proliferate such weapons. House Resolution 291 specifically states three points: "1) the policies and programs of the United States are counterproductive because our reliance on nuclear weapons encourages other states to acquire them, increasing the likelihood that nuclear weapons would be created and used, 2) such policies and programs are dangerous because the assertion of the US' right to engage in preventive war encourages other states to assert the same right, and 3) such policies and programs are immoral because they place a threat of mass destruction, and the assertion of a right to initiate war at the core of United States foreign policy." The United States must set an example. We must take a lead in the global destruction of nuclear weapons of mass destruction. Taking the lead in this endeavour also means complying with our own demands that are being imposed upon all other nations of the world.
I support the President's proposals presented to the U.S. Defence University, which makes it difficult for nations to obtain nuclear materials, and to use for making nuclear weapons of mass destruction, however, this is not enough. I recognise President Bush's efforts to deter nations from developing programs and weapons; however, the method in which he is carrying it out is not the right way of going about it. As I sometimes jokingly tell people, if I get pushed, you better believe that I’m going to push back even harder. The same thing holds true for the United States and nations actively pursuing nuclear weapon, which is why I have developed an 8-point plan that would utilize strategies from the Cold War and now. I believe that in order for America to be even remotely successful in its goal of peaceful global disarmament of not just nuclear weapons, but chemical and biological weapons as well, the following steps need to be taken:
1) The United States must immediately, and as a first step, halt all research and development of nuclear weapons, whether they are for strategic or conventional use
2) The US must call for international talks on the permanent disarmament of nuclear weapons and ways to prevent the proliferation of such weapons
3) To show America's earnest effort towards its own dismantling of its nuclear stockpile, the US must agree to unrestricted access by the IAEA and/or any other WMD Dismantling Monitor group or organization to monitor and/or supervise the dismantling of its nuclear weapons
4) More effort must be made to assist other nations who are unable to fully afford the cost of dismantling its nuclear weapons and expunging its nuclear weapons programs
5) The US must help develop ways to monitor all nuclear capable nations to ensure that the proliferation of such weapons does not occur
6) The United States must revise its foreign policy and take a less aggressive approach towards rogue nations who are seeking or who already posses weapons of mass destruction to ease tensions so that those nations feel less intimidated and pressured and feel more inclined to cooperate with not only us, but the international community as a whole
These steps will ensure that America takes the lead in global disarmament, serving as an example to others. With the changing international political climate, the US must show a full willingness to comply and follow its own rules, laws, and policies, for if it fails to do so, the international community will fail to comply, making it that much harder to obtain the goal of global disarmament.
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Kayamone A. Sutton
My name is Kayamone Sutton. I was born and raised in Flint, Michigan (USA). I am currently 21 years old and am serving in the United States Navy as an Operations Specialist stationed onboard the USS San Jacinto (CG-56) a guided missile cruiser based out of Norfolk, Virginia.
I am currently working on my bachelors degree in International Relations. My current long range goal is to one day become President of the United States. My current short-term goal is to run for Mayor of Flint, Michigan upon completion of my time serving in the US Navy.
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