Nuclear Weapons Freeze Movement: Issues for National Debate (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
March 10, 1982 |
| Report Number |
IP0195N |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
Is the American public increasingly against nuclear weapons?
Are U.S. and other world leaders paying too much attention to
arms production and too little attention to arms control?
Have the fear and likelihood of a nuclear war increased?
These issues are being debated in local communities and increasingly
among U.S. policymakers. The grass-roots movement to "ban the bomb" has
already been endorsed by over one million people through local and State
referendums. A recent Gallup poll concluded that over 3/4 of Americans
favor a 50% reduction in nuclear arsenals by both the Soviet Union and the
United States.
The nuclear weapons freeze movement has recently gained the attention
of Congress. On March 10, 1982, Senate and House resolutions were introduced
which requested the President to negotiate an immediate nuclear weapons freeze
with the Soviet Union, followed by major reductions on both sides. Another
congressional proposal calls for the President to negotiate with the Soviet
Union a long-term, mutual and verifiable nuclear forces freeze, but at equal
and sharply reduced force levels.
This Info Pack presents background information on the recent peace
crusade and examines both the desirabilities and potential dangers inherent
in such proposals to freeze or reduce nuclear weapons. Also included are
relevant Reagan Administration responses to these various proposals.
We hope this material will be useful.
