In theory this approach, i.e. to defend national security interests during negotiations and, later, in the national signature and ratification process, appears appropriate and visionary. That is why a few Pakistani security observers also recommend that Pakistan should enter in the negotiation process on the FMCT. Indeed, they failed to realize that this approach is very risky for the military insecure state, especially when the leading powers deliberately encourage and support its strategic rival military buildup or its drive for a Great Power status in the global strategic environment.
Ironically, the UN General Secretary has failed to acknowledge that Pakistan’s stance on the FMCT is not against the agenda of the CD. It not only makes FMCT all-inclusive arms control and disarmament treaty, but also addresses the factors which destabilize the regional strategic balances. The prevention of conventional arms race within the regional strategic environment, certainly, lowers the demand or freeze the nuclear arms race between the belligerent states. If any treaty fails to tackle the ingredients of regional insecurity, it is obviously not acceptable to the concern states.
The message concluded that: “the tide of disarmament is rising, yet the Conference on Disarmament is in danger of sinking. Let us restore the Conference to the central role it can and must play in strengthening the rule of law in the field of disarmament. It is our shared responsibility to make the Conference work, not only for us but for future generations.” Without a doubt, the Conference should work. But it should work to establish universal norms which ensure the equality and security of all the nations rather than creating the privileged states or augmenting the security and primacy of a few states at the behest of the other nations.
In short it is imperative that the CD should work for the national interests of the entire international community instead of a few nations.