AFF/CTBT: IMPACT — LACK OF CTBT CAUSES NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION

WITHOUT THE CTBT NATIONS ALL OVER THE WORLD WILL FEEL INCREASED PRESSURE TO ACQUIRE NUCLEAR WEAPONS

ERIC SCHMITT, The New York Times August 30, 1999, SECTION: Section A; Page 1;  HEADLINE: DEMOCRATS READY FOR FIGHT TO SAVE TEST BAN TREATY // lnu-acs

Without the treaty, Mr. Clinton warned this month, "countries all around the world will feel more pressure to develop and test weapons in ever more destructive varieties and sizes, threatening the security of everyone on earth."

USA RATIFICATION OF CTBT WOULD GIVE IT MUCH MORE CLOUT IN FIGHTING NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION

K.P. Waran January 8, 2001 New Straits Times (Malaysia) SECTION: Opinion Diplomatic crossroads; Pg. 12 HEADLINE: Hoping the Americans ratify CTBT //VT2002acsln

As we march into the new millennium, there is a need to make the world a more peaceful place to live in. With the end of the Cold War, there is little need for nations to arm themselves to the teeth with nuclear weapons. The after effects of nuclear explosions, triggered deliberately or by accident, has been well documented and such a catastrophe do transcend national boundaries. Mother earth has withstood nuclear testing on land and under the sea, and the world population has a right to demand that such abuse is not inflicted on our planet anymore. The tragedy in Hiroshima inflicted by "Little Boy" brought 40,000 instant deaths and another 100,000 perished through delayed effects from radiation exposure succumbing to leukaemia and cancer. Many babies who were in the womb were born mentally retarded. If Washington takes the bold step of ratifying the treaty, it would give it more clout to speak up against other nations who are toying with the idea of becoming nuclear weapons states.

FAILURE TO RATIFY THE CTBT WILL CAUSE NEW NATIONS TO PROLIFERATE AND NEW NUCLEAR WEAPONS STATES TO EXPAND THEIR NUCLEAR ARSENALS

ERIC SCHMITT, The New York Times August 30, 1999, SECTION: Section A; Page 1;  HEADLINE: DEMOCRATS READY FOR FIGHT TO SAVE TEST BAN TREATY // lnu-acs

Treaty proponents argue that it would lock in American superiority achieved in 1,030 nuclear tests between 1945 and 1992, when the United States agreed to halt testing. Failure to ratify, supporters say, could open the door for emerging nuclear states, like India and Pakistan, to conduct more tests, and may also weaken support for other arms pacts, like the treaty to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.

CTBT IS A VITAL TOOL TO STEM THE SPREAD OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS

The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, awaiting ratification and entry into force, will provide another vehicle to stem the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The prohibition of nuclear explosive tests, which are critical in the final stages of the construction of a nuclear device, will restrict the development of nuclear weapons technology and capabilities in both the acknowledged nuclear weapons states and states of potential proliferation concern. It is in the vital national security interests of the United States to back the CTBT. The implementation of this treaty will help to devalue the importance of nuclear weapons, halt new sophisticated weapons designs, and reinforce the movement against proliferation.

THE CTBT IS THE BEST WAY TO STOP POTENTIAL NUCLEAR STATES FROM BECOMING MAJOR NUCLEAR POWERS -- NOT TOO LATE FOR INDIA AND PAKISTAN

FRIDA BERRIGAN , research associate at the World Policy Institute. The New York Times

September 4, 1999, SECTION: Section A; Page 12HEADLINE: Ending Weapon Spread // lnu-acs

The most effective way to protect the United States and the world from the threat of nuclear weapons is to prevent countries from getting them in the first place. By banning nuclear testing, the treaty would insure that nascent nuclear states like India, Pakistan and North Korea do not evolve into full-blown nuclear powers.

CTBT DEFEAT MEANS CHINA WILL NOT COOPERATE TO STOP NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION

Martin Woollacott, The Guardian (London), October 15, 1999 SECTION: Guardian Leader Pages; Pg. 22 HEADLINE: America: selfish, foolish and endangering the world; Xenophobes in the US senate have sent out a dangerous message // ln-10-29-99-acs

China must balance its interest in seeing the potential nuclear race in south Asia confined with its anxieties about American nuclear weapons in east Asia, and in particular about the possible creation of a missile defence system that would include coverage of Taiwan. While the CTBT is not strictly relevant to this concern, the senate decision sends out a signal about American purposes that is, and it is one which makes Chinese cooperation on controlling nuclear weapons less likely.

USA NEEDS TO RATIFY THE CTBT IN ORDER TO HAVE LEGITIMACY IN GLOBAL NON-PROLIFERATION EFFORTS

Harold Brown Melvin R. Laird and William J. Perry; all former Defense Secretaries, January 9, 2001, The San Diego Union-Tribune SECTION: OPINION;Pg. B-7 HEADLINE: America needs the test-ban treaty //VT2002acsln

The fact is that the suspension of nuclear tests instituted by President George Bush and Congress in 1992 will remain in place for many years to come. There are advantages in our international relations in ratifying the test-ban treaty. The treaty is an important element of the global nonproliferation regime, and crucial to American leadership of those efforts.

CTBT IS ESSENTIAL FOR USA GLOBAL ANTI-PROLIFERATION LEADERSHIP

John M. Shalikashvili, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1993 to 1997, January 06, 2001, The Washington Post SECTION: EDITORIAL; Pg. A21 HEADLINE: The Test Ban Solution //VT2002acsln

Progress on ratification is also important for U.S. leadership of global nonproliferation efforts. All our NATO allies and most of our other security partners have ratified the test ban treaty. They are likely to cooperate more closely with us on other nonproliferation initiatives -- such as tougher safeguards on civilian nuclear programs and tighter controls over exports related to weapons of mass destruction -- if we don't close the door on a nonproliferation tool that they value highly.

One thing is clear: A successful U.S. nonproliferation strategy must be based on a broad international consensus. We cannot manage this problem on our own. And that means we must find a way to move forward with the test ban treaty.