ABSTRACT
A stumbling-block, which still exists between East and West, is that Russia, according to Malenkov’s announcement at the turn of the year 1954—55, still maintained that if with regard to the limitation of atomic weapons it was agreed on principle to prohibit their use, this prohibition should be unconditional, that is to say, no exceptions should be made. Thus a state that was attacked would not be allowed to use such weapons in its defence. The Western Powers hold the opinion that the use of the weapons should be allowed against states that had ignored the prohibition, and also in defence against attack, even with conventional, military armaments. This standpoint is calculated to deter states from beginning wars of aggression. The Western Powers were naturally of the opinion that an unconditional prohibition of atomic weapons would encourage Russia to begin new aggressions in more or less disguised forms, a possibility that cannot be ignored.
