Weighing the Evidence: How the ABM Treaty Permits A Strategic Defense System

Publication Date: February 1987

Publisher: Heritage Foundation (Washington, D.C.)

Author(s): W. Bruce Weinrod; Kim R. Holmes

Research Area: International relations; Military and defense

Keywords: National security

Type: Report

Abstract:

There is no disagreement about whether the ABM Treaty allows the U.S. to develop and even deploy fixed land-based systems and components based on traditional technologies. The U.S. can. The question is whether the U . S . also can test and develop advanced technology SDI projects. Here the evidence--based on the Treaty and legally relevant practices--is clear: the U.S. can do so.The language of the Treaty and the statements by those who negotiated it treat the technologies existing in 1972 in one way and possible future technologies another way. The U.S. can proceed with the testing and development of advanced technologies because this is allowed by Agreed Statement D. This gives a green light to Ronald Reagan's program to protect the U.S. from nuclear attack. If opponents want to stop the Strategic Defense Initiative, they must do so by arguing about the substance of the program. They have no case if they argue that the ABM Treaty is a bar to SDI.