than an empty gesture

Pim Opinion

Nuclear treaty more than an empty gesture

It would be easy to view the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty, in the light of likely reactions overseas, as little more now than an empty gesture by a group of countries that can’t make the treaty stick.

There is also the view that the treaty is too loose and non-commital to mean anything at all.

Again, it could be seen as an effort by a frustrated minority, a plea to be left alone by the big boys of the world.

And, in the final analysis, what good is a nuclear free zone not recognised by the nuclear powers?

Or, for that matter, one that is not recognised by all of the forum countries?

Part of the answer is that it will do nothing to halt the arms race, French nuclear testing or superpower regional ambition.

What the treaty does do, however, is place on record at the highest level the feelings of the people of the South Pacific, the majority of whom are worried about the risk to their environment presented by a nuclear presence.

The treaty was never going to end French nuclear testing or the passage through the ocean of nuclear ordinance and the signatories knew it.

But the treaty does provide a focus for the varying views of the region. It provides our neighbours with a single entity that goes some way towards encapsulating the forum nations’ with a few notable exceptions views on the nuclear issue.

As Mr Bill Hayden points out (Page 22) the forum states are different, sovereign and they make their own judgements. Which makes consensus an elusive quarry.

The treaty, with all the trade-offs, compromises and

politicking that went into it, remains an expression of the views of the majority of the islanders.

They are worried about the nuclear threat. Worried, but not frantic. On dumping and testing they are adamant.

And while on that subject, it should be borne in mind that a united stance by the South Pacific Forum nations will further isolate France within the region. Not that this has worried France greatly in the past, but a steady build-up of pressure will have some future effect. France has shown many times that she will not be moved from her colonies without severe pressure.

And the forum countries can help ensure that the pressure remains political rather than physical.

There may also be some useful spin-off benefits from the treaty. It has certainly contributed to a higher international awareness of the South Pacific Forum nations which has turned a not always welcome spotlight on such issues as relations with the Russians and the Libyans.

And if the treaty has helped the islands to learn to live with a suddenly interested world it has also helped project the island perspective.

Something of that perspective may even rub off.

Contact with islands people may bring some Americans to be less strongly of the view that anybody who distrusts nuclear weapons is at best anti-American and at worst a communist.

The world may be learning something of the Pacific way while the people of the Pacific take up their proper place in the world.

If that’s all the treaty achieves, it will be enough. For now, at least.