Arms policy ‘illusory’

Press, 22 January 1982, Page 6

Arms policy ‘illusory’

A top British scientist who advised military commanders and governments for more than 30 years said yesterday that building bigger and better nuclear weapons has added nothing to the security of either East or West since the end of the 19505.

The multiplication and development of nuclear weapons was becoming more dangerous, “yet the threat of nuclear war is accepted as if it was toothpaste." the scientist. Lord Zuckerman, told a news conference held to launch his book. “Nuclear Illusion and Reality." Lord Zuckerman. South

African-born and originally an anatomist, argues in his book that European conventional forces should be strengthened to deter the use of battlefield nuclear weapons. He says that the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation doctrine of using such weapons to stop a Soviet attack in Europe is illusory because escalation to all-out nuclear war would be virtually inevitable. if the nuclear arms race is not slowed, preferably by a nuclear test-ban treaty, world war will break out after the turn of the century. Lord Zuckerman contends. Lord Zuckerman was at the heart of Western defence

planning from 1960 to 1971 as chief scientific adviser to British Defence Ministers and the government under four Prime Ministers. He was given a life peerage for his scientific services, which stretched back to World War 11. Asked in an interview if he believes that the Soviets plan to attack the West and if nuclear weapons sh'ould be used to stop an attack. Lord Zuckerman replied: "I don't know if they plan to attack — they would be mad to do it. If nuclear weapons were used to slop them, that would be the end of everybody. and posthumous revenge does not give you much strength."