Proposals to Establish a Nordic Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone

Today, after a long silence, the Nordic States are again investigating the idea of establishing a Nordic nuclear-weapon-free zone. The renewed exchange of views is no doubt partly related to the continuing development of nuclear weapons and partly to the fear that even in circumstances where nuclear weapons would not be used against the Nordic States they present a threat to the region should major war break out. This fear was mentioned by Dr. Urho Kekkonen, the President of the Republic of Finland, in an address he delivered at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs in Stockholm on May 8, 1978. He referred in this context especially to mini-nukes, precision-guided munitions, neutron bombs and cruise missiles. The use of such weapons cannot leave Northern Europe immune.