|
|
|
|
|
|
Resources |
|
|
|
The ABM Treaty and SDI
| Article
# : |
11051 |
|
|
Section : |
MODERN THOUGHT
|
| Issue
Date : |
6 / 1986 |
977 Words |
| Author
: |
S. Fred Singer
S. Fred Singer, Visiting Eminent Scholar at George Mason
University and former director of the U.S. Weather Satellite
Program, is a pioneer in unmanned space science. His early
work included study of primary cosmic radiation and the
discovery of the equatorial "elctrojet" current in the Earth's
ionosphere. He also proposed to NASA the manned mission to
Phobos and Deimos now referred to as the Ph-D Project. |
Does the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty permit the testing in space of Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) components, such as free-electron lasers, neutral-particle beams, rail guns, and other exotic means of disabling attacking in ICBMs?
Since former White House national security adviser Robert C. McFarlane took the issue public in September 1985, it has been hotly debated within the Reagan administration--although swept under the rug, temporarily at least, in difference to the Reagan-Gorbachev summit meeting. As a matter of presidential policy, the United States will adopt a restrictive interpretation of the ABM Treaty that would seem to prohibit operations testing beyond a largely ground-based research program. But the White House did not say for how long it will hold to that interpretation; its announcement does not preclude a broader legal interpretation that permits eventual testing or even deployment.
What does the ABM Treaty say? The first paragraph of Article V states: "1. Each Party undertakes not to develop, test, deploy ABM system or components which are sea-based, air-based, space-based, or mobile land-base." That would seem to settle the matter, but does it?
Article II defines ABM system components "for the purpose of this Treaty" as consisting of ABM interceptor missiles, ABM launchers, and ABM radars, and "include[s] those which are: (a) operational; (b) under construction; (c) undergoing testing; (d) undergoing overhaul, repair or conversion; or (e) mothballed." This listing does not mention new technologies but refers only to those current 1972. Had the drafters wanted to include noncurrent, exotic technologies,
... (2000 of 6246 Characters)
Read Full Article
|
|
