Arms Limiting and Force Adjusting Arrangements in the Northern Gap Area

Abstract

The author starts out by delineating the existing system of unilateral arms control measures which is observed by Norway. He distinguishes between unilateral formal measures on the one hand and semi-formal measures on the other. To the former belong the policy on foreign bases and nuclear weapons while the latter include the restrictions applying to allied military exercises and the presence of allied aircraft in Norwegian air space and naval vessels in Norwegian territorial waters. The present era of political reconstruction in Europe may generate force reduction and force adjustment regulations as part of the security infrastructure of the post-cold war Europe. Thus the Norwegian constraints would have to be viewed in a novel context and their possible multilateralization considered. Against the background of a delineation of the relationship of forces in the Northern Cap area the author suggests various activity regulation measures aimed at depoliticizing military force in the area (restrictions on manoeuvres, new stationing of forces, notification of manoeuvres). The naval situation in the Norwegian Sea illustrates the interrelationship between the regional security situation and the superpower balance. The outcome of SALT will affect the situation, but the author also suggests various arrangements involving ceilings on naval activity in the Norwegian Sea.