Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty: Background and Current Developments
Abstract
A ban on all nuclear tests is the oldest item on the nuclear arms control agenda. Three treaties that entered into force between 1963 and 1990 limit, but do not ban, such tests. In 1996, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which would ban all nuclear explosions. In 1997, President Clinton sent the CTBT to the Senate, which rejected it in October 1999. In a speech in Prague in April 2009, President Obama said, My administration will immediately and aggressively pursue U.S. ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. However, the Administration focused its efforts in 2010 on securing Senate advice and consent to ratification of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START). The Administration has indicated it wants to begin a CTBT education campaign with a goal of securing Senate advice and consent to ratification, but there were no hearings on the treaty in the 111th or 112th Congresses, or so far in the 113th. As of June 2013, 183 states had signed the CTBT and 159, including Russia, had ratified it. However, entry into force requires ratification by 44 states specified in the treaty, of which 41 had signed the treaty and 36 had ratified. Seven conferences have been held to facilitate entry into force; the eighth is scheduled for September 27, 2013, in New York.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 10, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA590335
Entities
People
- Jonathan E. Medalia
Organizations
- Library of Congress