Assistant Secretary Rose Gottemoeller of the Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance said Entry into force of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty is an essential step toward the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons.
On his statement to the CTBTO Preparatory Commission, Ms. Gottemoeller announced President Obama’s unshakeable commitment to ratification of the CTBT by the United States and its entry into force at the earliest possible date.
“Secretary Clinton reaffirmed our commitment to the CTBT at both the Conference on Facilitating Entry into Force of the CTBT in September 2009 and at the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference in May 2010.”
– Ms. Gottemoeller
She said the United States does not expect it will be easy for them nor it will happen quickly. She noted the U.S. government will work hard to make it happen.
Ms. Gottemoller said the Administration commissioned a number of reports, including an updated National Intelligence Estimate and an independent National Academy of Sciences (NAS) report to assess the ability of the United States to monitor compliance with the Treaty and the ability of the United States to maintain it.
“In the absence of nuclear explosive testing, a safe, secure and effective nuclear arsenal so long as these weapons exist. A public version of the NAS report is expected to be released soon. These authoritative reports, together with others, will give the U.S. Senate a wealth of information to assist them in making a determination on the merits of ratification of the CTBT.”
– Ms. Gottemoeller
Ms. Gottemoller added the United States has begun a process of engaging the Senate and the American public on the national security benefits of the CTBT. She noted they have no date in mind for a ratification vote, but the United States will work to engage members of the Senate on the national security rationale behind its support for the CTBT.
