Ifda dossier 47, May/June 1985

. Bhupendra Jasani (ed), Space Weapons - The Arms Control Dilemma
(Stockholm: SIPRI, 1984) 255~~. Billions of dollars are to be devoted to
. .
research on ways to render nuclear weapons "impotent and obsolete". Po-
pular candidates for the task are a space-based laser or one based on
land using space mirrors. The obvious question is, of course, will they
work adequately? But there are other important issues. What is the link
between nuclear war-fighting doctrines and these and other advances in
space technologies? Renewed interest in defensive systems could give a
boost to the development of weapons for destroying satellites in orbit.
Would an enthusiastic programme in defensive space weaponry merely buy
an offensive capability at the expense of existing treaties? Does the
dream of perfect defence make the gamble worthwhile? These and other
problems are all part of the arms control dilemma taken up by a panel of
international experts at a SIPRI symposium In September 1983. Their pa-
pers, which are published in this book, tackle mainly the problems posed
by developments in ballistic missile defence (BMD) and anti-satellite
(ASAT) systems. The book includes an overview by Bhupendra Jasani, which
takes into account the most recent developments (Bergshamra, 171 73
Solna, Stockholm, Sweden).
. Young Seek Choue, World Peace through Pax United Nations (Seoul:
Kyung Hee University Press, August 1984) 137pp.
. Stanley Foundation, Strategy for Peace 1984, US Foreign Policy Con-
ference Report, 64pp., including "The United States and UNESCO",
pp.47-58 (420, East Third Street, Muscatine, Iowa 52761, USA).
. UNIDIR, Establishment of an International Disarmament Fund for
Development (Geneva: United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research,
November 1984).
PERIODICALS
. The second issue of !omen in Action, the supplement to the m
International Women's Journal (No 2, December 1984), brings news and
information from the women's movement, particularly from the Third
World. It is shown how women are mobilizing and organizing (in Philip-
pines), forming new groups (in Africa), establishing a new women and
health network (in Latin America), setting up a feminist publishing
house (in India) etc. A large section on women's Decade is included (Via
Santa Maria dell'Anima 30, 00186 Rome, Italy; or Casilla 2067, Correo
Central, Santiago, Chile).
. In "Tribal is beautiful: cultural awakening in Chotanagapur" by
Michael v.d. Bogaert, S. j., the author discusses tribal unrest in the
Indian state of Bihar in the broader perspective of the awakening of
indigenous people in the world. To find out the positive message that
tribal people are trying to convey to modern society, one has to look
beyond the media-reported negative aspects of tribal protests. Social
-
chas (Vol. 14, N02, June 1984). (Sangha Rachana, 53 Lodi Estate, New
Delhi 110003, India).
. A wide range of articles concerned with citizens' rights in Utusan
Konsumer: on dangerous ingredients in the Instant noodles and hazardous
drugs for pregnant women, on beach erosion, on how the process of moder-