The nuclear scofflaws

As the megalomaniac Kim Jong-il flaunts his testing of a nuclear bomb, the world trembles. Of course Kim, the world's goofiest head of state, may just be bluffing, but whether Korea has nuked-up or not, we might keep firmly in mind the other side of the equation. The nuclear powers who signed the Non-proliferation Treaty (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States) have long been obligated to reduce and ultimately eliminate their nuclear weaponry, but they haven't and they aren't.

The intention of the treaty to eliminate nuclear weapons was set out in the preamble:

"Desiring to further the easing of international tension and the strengthening of trust between States in order to facilitate the cessation of the manufacture of nuclear weapons, the liquidation of all their existing stockpiles, and the elimination from national arsenals of nuclear weapons and the means of their delivery pursuant to a Treaty on general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control,"

And enshrined in Article VI:

"Each of the Parties to the Treaty undertakes to pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race at an early date and to nuclear disarmament, and on a treaty on general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control."

As long as the major nuclear powers refuse to fulfil their obligations, other nations are bound to want to join the club. Raging against Iran, North Korea or other wannabes will be fruitless.

We are caught up in a vicious circle. As more nations develop nukes, those who already have them gain a more powerful argument to maintain, or even expand, their armory. And thus the world marches relentlessly on to Armageddon.