BASIC NOTES

11 November 2001

.CTBT Conference Notes

US Boycott Dampens Hopes

By Christine Kucia

New York, 11 November 2001 – The Conference on the Entry into Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) got underway at the United Nations in New York on 11 November 2001.  The meeting’s participants knew for certain only this morning that the United States would not attend the conference – evidenced by an empty chair at the country’s place in the rows of seats.  Showing the spirit of the attending countries and the determination to secure a global ban on nuclear testing, the conference carried on.  Secretary General Kofi Annan impressed upon the delegates that the events of September 11 “should have made it clear to everyone that we cannot afford further proliferation of nuclear weapons,” citing a “precious, but fleeting opportunity” to take decisive steps toward non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Under the guidance of Conference President Marin Bosch (Mexico), attending states (many represented by their foreign ministers) highlighted in their statements the importance of securing the treaty’s implementation.  Many of the states stressed similar concerns:

- Expressed regret at the lack of implementation of the CTBT to date;

- Applauded progress made by the CTBT Organization to assure that the verification regime for treaty compliance was being developed with due diligence and speed;

- Encouraged all states to continue funding the work of the CTBTO to assure its high quality and sustain efforts to improve verification under the treaty;

- Stressed that non-ratification by nuclear weapon states (China, United States) should not be used as an excuse by other countries not to ratify;

- Urged the United States and other countries to maintain the unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing, pending the CTBT’s implementation;

- Called upon non-ratifiers of the treaty, especially the 13 countries whose ratification is required before entry into force, to accede promptly.

The statement by the European Union directly addressed the decision by the Bush administration to fund only selective parts of the CTBTO’s work, and its refusal to resubmit the treaty to the U.S. Senate for another ratification vote.  U.K. Foreign Secretary Jack Straw delivered a speech from his government, notably the United States’ most dedicated ally in the war against terrorism.  He noted that after the tragic events of September 11, “old Cold War adversaries have emerged as allies in every aspect of the coalition against terrorism… but this emerging consensus must go deeper still.  We have to seize this moment to tackle the other challenges which we face together.”

In a U.N. vote last week to place the CTBT on the agenda for work at next year’s General Assembly meeting, the United States was the sole country to vote against the procedural motion, yet another reflection of the Bush administration’s strong unwillingness to engage with the international community on banning nuclear weapons tests.

However, the “deep regret” expressed by delegates over this and other similar actions by the Bush administration that threatened the non-proliferation regime could not be heard or answered by the United States government, whose place at the meeting remained empty.

The meeting continues through Tuesday.

More information:

U.S. Nuclear Agenda Provokes European Unease
BASIC Press Release, 9 November 2001

Acronym Institute: Background information and news on the CTBT 

Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization

Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
Regular updates from the UN

VERTIC
Detailed background on verification procedures for the CTBT

UN CTBT website
Statements from all country delegations
.

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