British dilemma and hypocrisy in the NPT regime vis-à-vis South Africa

Abstract

The international non-proliferation regime has focused on developing strategies to halt the development of nuclear technology, particularly in developing regions. This however did not stop South Africa from developing six and a half nuclear bombs, because the activities of the five (nuclear) superpowers (the US, Britain, Soviet Union, France and China) in providing some level of unilateral technological assistance to other countries undermined the efficacy of this strategy. Particularly, this article stresses the hypocrisy of British participation in the NPT as far as South Africa was concerned. The article also (subtly) focuses on the preponderance of cultural, strategic and economic links with Britain which contribute to an environment for nuclear proliferation in South Africa. The above provide a context for British government co-operation with South Africa in nuclear technology.