SZ/PUG/4 - Workshops
Reference code
SZ/PUG/4
Level of description
File
Title
Workshops
Date/s
1979-1992
Scope and content
The Workshops on Nuclear Forces (until 1984 entitled 'Workshops on Nuclear Forces in Europe') were initially convened "in response to the current crisis on nuclear deployments in Europe" [letter, Martin Kaplan to SZ, 19.12.79]. The first convened in January 1980. SZ was invited to participate in all of the first 21 workshops. He was unable to attend the first two because of existing commitments, but thereafter was one of the 'regulars'. Towards the end of his life his failing health caused him to miss the 17th and 18th workshops (June and July 1989), and the 20th and 21st (1991 and 1992).
This file provides good evidence of the extent to which SZ was an unofficial roving ambassador for the British government after his retirement as Chief Scientific Adviser in 1970, and of his strenuous behind-the -scenes efforts in the field of disarmament. The Nuclear Forces Workshops, all but one of which were held in Geneva, were accompanied by 'off-course' meetings, often attended by senior political figures; SZ was instrumental in selecting, and securing the participation of, some of those from the UK. He routinely reported his impressions of these workshops to HMG, through the Cabinet Secretary or the PUS at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
This file provides good evidence of the extent to which SZ was an unofficial roving ambassador for the British government after his retirement as Chief Scientific Adviser in 1970, and of his strenuous behind-the -scenes efforts in the field of disarmament. The Nuclear Forces Workshops, all but one of which were held in Geneva, were accompanied by 'off-course' meetings, often attended by senior political figures; SZ was instrumental in selecting, and securing the participation of, some of those from the UK. He routinely reported his impressions of these workshops to HMG, through the Cabinet Secretary or the PUS at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.