CTBT

Nations pursue entry into force as CTBT ratifications climb to 20

Treaty will reinforce nonproliferation efforts
Seven nations have ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty since the nuclear blasts in India and Pakistan four months ago, reinforcing the importance of the test ban to strengthening global nonproliferation efforts. Australia, Brazil, Germany, Grenada, Jordan, Spain and Tajikistan have ratified since May, with Australia, Brazil, Germany and Spain among the 44 nations whose ratification is required for the Treaty’s entry into force.
To date, 20 nations have ratified the Treaty, which has been before the U.S. Senate for its advice and consent for nearly a year.
When the G-8 met in London to consider the serious global challenge of the tests in South Asia, they did not abandon the Treaty, but rather highlighted its relevance to strengthening nonproliferation efforts. The G-8 statement strongly endorsed the CTBT, calling “... upon all states to sign and ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty rapidly to ensure its entry into force, and welcom[ing] the determination of the member governments of the G-8 that have not yet ratified the Treaty to do so at the earliest possible date.”

In order for the CTBT to enter into force, named member states of the Conference on Disarmament with nuclear research and or power reactors -- a total of 44 countries -- must ratify the agreement. If, three years after signature, one or more of these 44 states have not ratified the Treaty, the Treaty provides for an annual conference of the countries that have ratified it to consider what measures may be taken to accelerate the ratification process in order to facilitate the early entry into force of the Treaty.
CTBT ratification by the United States will encourage further ratifications, just as U.S. ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention facilitated ratification in Russia, Pakistan and Iran. As Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said after the nuclear tests in South Asia, “...if we want others to refrain from nuclear tests, and we do; others want us to promise the same; and we should. On this critical issue, at this perilous time, our leadership should be unambiguous, decisive and strong.”

The American people agree, with recent polls showing support for the Treaty as high as 86 percent in key surveyed states.
President Clinton’s statement after Brazil ratified the Treaty in July is as true today as ratifications
continue to pile up: “I call on our Senate to act expeditiously to approve the CTBT ... so that the United States can lead in this vital endeavor.”

Produced by the White House Working Group on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty For more information on the CTBT: Phone: 202-647-8677 Fax: 202-647-6928

Nations pursue entry into force as CTBT ratifications climb to 20
Treaty will reinforce nonproliferation efforts Seven nations have ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty since the nuclear blasts in India and Pakistan four months ago, reinforcing the importance of the test ban to strengthening global nonproliferation efforts. Australia, Brazil, Germany, Grenada, Jordan, Spain and Tajikistan have ratified since May, with Australia, Brazil, Germany and Spain among the 44 nations whose ratification is required for the Treaty’s entry into force. To date, 20 nations have ratified the Treaty, which has been before the U.S. Senate for its advice and consent for nearly a year. When the G-8 met in London to consider the serious global challenge of the tests in South Asia, they did not abandon the Treaty, but rather highlighted its relevance to strengthening nonproliferation efforts. The G-8 statement strongly endorsed the CTBT, calling “... upon all states to sign and ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty rapidly to ensure its entry into force, and welcom[ing] the determination of the member governments of the G-8 that have not yet ratified the Treaty to do so at the earliest possible date.”		In order for the CTBT to enter into force, named member states of the Conference on Disarmament with nuclear research and or power reactors -- a total of 44 countries -- must ratify the agreement. If, three years after signature, one or more of these 44 states have not ratified the Treaty, the Treaty provides for an annual conference of the countries that have ratified it to consider what measures may be taken to accelerate the ratification process in order to facilitate the early entry into force of the Treaty. CTBT ratification by the United States will encourage further ratifications, just as U.S. ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention facilitated ratification in Russia, Pakistan and Iran. As Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said after the nuclear tests in South Asia, “...if we want others to refrain from nuclear tests, and we do; others want us to promise the same; and we should. On this critical issue, at this perilous time, our leadership should be unambiguous, decisive and strong.”