The Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCWC) 1983

Inhumane Weapons Convention – aimed to restrict the use of certain conventional weapons that are
deemed to be excessively injurious and have indiscriminate effects.
Restricts the manufacturing, stockpiling, use of certain conventional weapons that risk indiscriminate
damage and injury to civilians or can cause unnecessary suffering.
First 3 protocols cover: non-detectable fragmentation weapons; mines, booby traps and other similar
devices;
1995-1996 Review Conference added a 4th protocol regarding laser blinding weapons
2008 Cluster Munitions Convention: agreement to ban cluster bombs munitions by 107 states (US,
Russia, China, Israel, India, Pakistan do not participate) – why? The non-participation of these states are
linked to some legacy aspects, the fact that such weapons have been used by them in the past, the
convention provides some security/ban – India, Pakistan consider that these weapons are already
deployed, and it is very complicated to get rid of them once deployed on the terrain – Israel same
situation – legacy elements linked that made it difficult for these states to adhere – there is political
commitment for future deployment.
The Conventional Forces in EU Treaty (CFE) 1990
Signed by the 16 NATO members at the time and 8 former Warsaw Pact states on 19 Nov 1990 which
reflects the 2 groups of states covered by the treaty. Finally 30 states party at the Treaty – from the
Atlantic to the Urals.

Strategic Arms Control Treaties types of weapons + means for delivery especially the
range (up to 5000 km)
1. The Anti-Ballistic Missiles (ABM) Treaty – to limit the research and development in
the 70s of ballistic missiles.
Initially, when negotiations had been started, these missiles were considered to be a destabilizing
factor (element of insecurity, and instability).
Signed in 1972 between US and USSR (after negotiation in the context of SALT). Objective:
prohibition of anti-ballistic missile systems (ABMs) for the defense of territory.
The ban covered not just deployment but also development and testing and referred also to
ABMs, including those based on future technologies.
Towards the end of the 90 – 1997 – make a demarcation between territorial and theatre ballistic
missiles defenses. Theatre missile defense systems are low range systems.
2. The First Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT1)
Signed in May 1972 between USA and USSR (result of the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks
which began in 1969. Encapsulated ABM Treaty and the Interim Agreement and Certain
Measures with Respect to the Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms.
Provisions: froze the number of strategic ballistic missile launchers at existing levels (1054 US
and 1618 USSR); prohibited the conversion of older launchers to accommodate heavy modern
ICBMs – land based;
SALT is a holding action – limited the treaty to 5 years, just to stop an acceleration of the nuclear
arms race – until further treaties, such as SALT 2.
3. The Second Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT 2)
Results of talks among US and USSR between Nov 1972 and June 1979 (Signed in Vienna).
Was more detailed in terms of limitations imposed on strategic ballistic missiles, but it did not
aim at the reduction of such missiles.
Main provisions: each side was limited to 2250 launchers + prohibition of space-based nuclear
weapons and rapid reload missile launchers + each side had sub-limits of 1320 launchers for
missiles with MIRVs (Multiple Independent Reentry Vehicles).
In 1986, citing Soviet violations (war in Afghanistan), Reagan declared that the US would no
longer abide by SALT 1&2.
4. The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) – not anymore since Oct 2018
Signed in December 1987, entered into force in 1988, unlimited duration (Aim: complete
elimination of US and Soviet intermediate range (1000 to 5500 km) and short range (500-
1000km) ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles.
Russia – it is not logical to still abide to the INF treaty since China still develops these weapons
– the need for Russia to keep the balance in terms of power balancing (militarily).
The US – losing time, the US did not want to cheat, they do not consider themselves bound to
the INF treaty, and they will continue to develop these intermediate-missile range systems.
5. The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START 1)
Signed in July 1991 (entered into force in 1994; duration was aimed for 15 years with an option
for a 5 years extension). Provisions: reduce US and Soviet strategic offensive arms (ICBMs
SLBMs and heavy bombers) to 1600 and total number of attributed warheads to 6000 – sub-
limits: only 4800 warheads for deployed ballistic missiles.
6. The Second Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START 2)
Signed in July 1993 by the US and Russia – aim: to reduce and ultimately eliminate MIRVed
ICBMs; deep cuts in SLBMs and further limitations and reductions.
Was START 1 and START 2 a consequence of the inauguration of the new Russian President
Boris Yeltsin, and of the policies he was promoting? From what I’ve read I know that he was
also accused of limiting Russia’s standing as a major world power.