The Foreign Service Journal, December 2009

D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 9 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 35 explosions, for whatever purposes, in any environment (underground, in the atmosphere, under water or in outer space). It also establishes a comprehensive verification regime, including an International Monitoring System with technical capabilities to detect nuclear explosions; an International Data Center to process and distribute auto- matically the data from the IMS to all member states; con- fidence-building measures; and provisions for on-site inspections in the event that cheating is suspected. The treaty establishes a Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization in Vienna to implement its pro- visions, including on-site inspections, and to address and resolve compliance concerns. In addition, the signato- ries to the treaty established a Preparatory Commission that is responsible for ensuring that by the time the treaty enters into force, the elements required for its effective implementation — the IMS, the IDC, training for on- site inspectors and operators of the IMS, related national contributions and an entity capable of assuming the role of the Technical Secretariat — are up and running. Fi- nally, the treaty stipulates that it will enter into force once it is ratified by all 44 states (listed in Annex II) which, in 1995, were operating nuclear power or research reactors (and hence were judged to be technically capable of a conducting a nuclear explosion). Nine required ratifica- tions are outstanding — China, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Israel and the U.S. have signed but not ratified; India, North Korea and Pakistan have not yet signed. Many states believe that U.S. ratification would encourage these other capitals to complete the process. The Clinton administration submitted the CTBT to the Senate in September 1997. The Senate delayed con- sideration until October 1999, when it voted to withhold its advice and consent to ratification. The Obama ad- ministration has committed the United States to pursue U.S. ratification of the CTBT and to work with the in- ternational community to achieve the remaining ratifica- tions to permit the treaty to enter into force. Toward that end, it is addressing the questions and concerns raised by the Senate in 1999, and by key domestic and interna- F O C U S