NEGATIVE/CTBT

CTBT CAUSES, NOT SOLVES, NUCLEAR PROBLEMS IN INDIA & PAKISTAN

THE CTBT IS WHAT LED TO INDIA TESTING NUCLEAR WEAPONS

Mohammed Ayoob, Univ. Distinguished prof. of Intl relations at Michigan State Univ, Winter 1999. "Nuclear India and Indian-American Relations," Orbis // hxm

The CTBT was in many ways the straw that broke the camel's back. it tied together many of the concerns that Indian policymakers harbored regarding the impact of a discriminatory nonproliferation regime on India's security interests, and it appeared to demonstrate the Collusion between China and the United States to make the nuclear asymmetry between India and China permanent. But if this was the broader context for the Indian decision to test nuclear weapons, one final factor added to the urgency of the decision.

INDIA AND PAKISTAN HAVE A HARD TIME SIGNING THE CTBT

THE STATESMAN (INDIA) April 11, 2001 HEADLINE: INDIA AND CTBT: New Delhi's Cause Needs To Be Examined //VT2002acsln

Nowhere has the CTBT got into such a predicament as in the Indian subcontinent. India's case, and arguably Pakistan's too, merits consideration. The complete CTBT procedure is, a country wishing to become a member of the Treaty has to sign it, get it ratified by its government, and then register the instrument with the United Nations. India has been fence-sitting on the CTBT ever since the Treaty opened for signing in September 1996. There are several factors pertinent to India's cause which need to be examined with an open mind.

CTBT CAN BE NEGATED IF EVEN ONE COUNTRY, LIKE NORTH KOREA, DECIDES TO NOT GO ALONG

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

Even if some grand deal can be struck, the test ban treaty confronts several roadblocks. Even though 152 nations have signed the accord, so far only 21 of the 44 nations whose approval is required for the treaty to take effect, including Britain, France and Japan, have ratified the pact. Even one holdout among the 44 nations, like North Korea, could prevent the treaty from taking effect.

INDIA & PAKISTAN WILL MAKE NUCLEAR DECISIONS BASED ON THEIR SECURITY NEEDS, NOT ON TREATIES

ART PINE, TIMES STAFF WRITER, Los Angeles Times, October 8, 1999, Part A; Page 1; HEADLINE: SENATE TO WEIGH RATIFICATION OF NUCLEAR TEST-BAN TREATY // ln-acs

Henry D. Sokolski, director of the conservative Nonproliferation Policy Education Center, offers this reasoning about the treaty, which would bar countries that ratify it from conducting nuclear tests and would beef up international monitoring to detect violations:

* India and Pakistan are more likely to base any decision about future testing on their own tense relationship rather than on strictures in the treaty. Both have imposed moratoriums after their round of nuclear testing last year.