How to negotiate a treaty

Negotiating an arms control treaty is dramatic and draws widespread attention, almost like a sporting event. This study examined the experience to date with the implementation of arms-control agreements and asked what it an teach us about prospects for future arms control. Conclusions are encouraging. Despite charges and disputes, some ambiguous incidents, and some possible or likely infractions, the record of compliance on both sides is generally good. In looking to the future, it is important to recognize that this encouraging history was not a matter of chance. At every stage of preparing for, negotiating, and implementing arms control agreements, careful attention must be given both to achieving and to ascertaining compliance by the parties, and to the national or cooperative activities that make an agreement work. A strategy is essential for facilitating the effective working of arms control agreements and for providing a basis for reciprocal confidence of the parties in compliance. It must be applied at each stage of the arms control process. These stages are deciding to negotiate; deciding what is wanted or will be accepted and on what conditions; agreeing on a text; implementing the agreement faithfully; and verifying that other parties also adhere to themore » accord.« less