U.S. Must Lead on Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty

June 25, 1998

ISSUE:

The recent nuclear tests by both India and Pakistan are alarming indications that the end of the Cold War has not ended the nuclear threat. Now more than ever, it is crucial to bring the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) into force. That will not happen unless the United States commits firmly to the effort.

The United States Administration signed the CTBT in 1996, and the President sent the treaty to the Senate last fall for ratification. Senators Specter and Biden will soon introduce a Sense of the Senate resolution calling for the Foreign Relations Committee to hold hearings on the CTBT and for the Senate to debate and vote on the treaty as quickly as possible.

ACTION:

Write or phone your two Senators. Urge them to co-sponsor and support the Specter-Biden resolution and to work for prompt ratification of the CTBT.

WRITE or PHONE:

Honorable ________
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Capitol switchboard: (202) 224-3121

BACKGROUND:

Acting to preserve the world from a continuing nuclear threat is one of the moral imperatives of our time. It is a major commitment of our church. Since 1985, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) through its Peacemaking Program has conducted a campaign in support of a comprehensive nuclear weapons test ban treaty. The General Assemblies of 1986 and 1992 acted in support of such a treaty. Some 80 presbyteries have debated the issue and voted to endorse a test ban.

Since nuclear weapon tests are easily verifiable with existing installed technology, a test ban treaty would help deter countries from developing nuclear weapons. It would also help prevent countries which already have them from developing new, more deadly kinds of nuclear weapons. A CTBT is also crucial to the effectiveness of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, under which states without nuclear weapons agree not to acquire them with the understanding that the nuclear powers will reduce their dependence on nuclear weapons. Since that treaty's entry into force in 1970, the non-nuclear weapon states have complained that the nuclear- weapon states have not kept their side of the bargain. As evidence, the non-nuclear states cite the failure of the nuclear powers to achieve a comprehensive test ban treaty.

To date, 149 countries have signed the CTBT. Thirteen have ratified the treaty, including France and the United Kingdom, two of the declared nuclear-weapon states. In order to enter into force and become international law, however, the CTBT must be ratified by all 44 countries with advanced nuclear technology. Many countries are looking to the United States, the world's foremost military power, for leadership on this issue. President Clinton put the treaty before the U.S. Senate last fall. It is time to act.

Senators Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) and Joseph Biden (D-Del.) are expected soon to introduce a Sense of the Senate resolution calling for committee hearings on the CTBT and for the Senate to vote on the treaty. This is a modest step in going beyond the present political deadlock and should be supported.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY GUIDANCE:

The General Assembly passed resolutions on a CTBT in 1986 and 1992. In the 1992 resolution the 204th General Assembly "renews its call for an end to nuclear weapons testing by all nations ... and U.S. concurrence in an international treaty ending all nuclear weapons testing either by amendment of the Partial Test Ban Treaty or by a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty." The 1992 Assembly further called upon Presbyterian congregations to "continue their prayers for an end to nuclear testing and proliferation and to communicate their concern on these issues to the president of the United States and the members of Congress ..."