UBC Reports | Vol. 47 | No. 03 | Feb. 8, 2001

U.S. nuclear policy focus of conference

Missile defense system subject of international debate

A conference to be held at UBC Feb. 15-17 will debate the merits of a missile defense system designed to defend the United States against long-range missiles.

The conference, entitled The Impact of National Missile Defense (NMD) on Global Nuclear Policy, will take place at the Liu Centre for the Study of Global Issues. It is hosted by the centre and the Simons Foundation.

"Since it is clear that in the fairly near term Canada will be asked to participate in NMD in some fashion, our nation's policymakers and attentive public must examine whether the American perspectives and national interests driving this program are congruent with the Canadian world view and policy objectives," says Lloyd Axworthy, director and chief executive officer of the Liu Centre.

Expert opinion in the United States is sharply divided on virtually every issue related to NMD, including, but not limited to, its very technical feasibility.

Supporters say it would protect the U.S. from ballistic missile attacks and would preserve the nation's capability to project military power around the world without risking harm to American troops and assets.

The conference will include a roundtable discussion with experts from across Canada, the United States, China, Russia and India. A public forum will take place on Feb. 16 from 7-9 p.m. at SFU Harbour Centre's Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue.

A comprehensive report will be issued in the early spring and posted on the Liu Centre Web site at www.liucentre.ubc.ca.

The Simons Foundation actively promotes education in peace, disarmament, global cooperation, human rights and social justice issues.