Publication

This paper discusses the origins, achievements and problems of the 'P5' process, the aim of which is to bring China, the UK and France into the nuclear arms limitation and reduction agreements that exist between the US and Russia. The author contends that although the process created a forum for the five countries to discuss the problem of nuclear disarmament, it has not and will not achieve its principle goal of initiating multilateral nuclear disarmament. He suggests the reasons for this include that China, the UK and France cannot join the US-Russia strategic talks, nor can a five-state arms control process be created due to the extent of asymmetry in relations between the countries and their nuclear forces. Finally, he suggests that the establishment of several bilateral negotiations may be the best way to further nuclear disarmament.