The Associated Press reports on vocal international support for U.S. ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
Advocates said approval by the U.S. Senate, in particular, would encourage some of the other eight governments whose ratification is required to bring the 1996 Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) into force, to outlaw all nuclear test explosions.
"I believe the national security interests of the United States are enhanced by ratification of the CTBT," Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd told reporters after chairing the two-hour meeting to promote the treaty on the 2010-11 General Assembly's opening day.
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Besides the U.S., the others among the 44 that have not ratified are China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, North Korea and Pakistan. Indonesia has announced it will ratify by year's end. A total of 151 nations have ratified the pact.
The U.S. Senate rejected the treaty in 1999, but President Barack Obama plans to resubmit it for ratification. Some Republicans are again mustering opposition, but Democrats are hopeful of approval next year.
For an in-depth explanation of what needs to happen in order for the CTBT to enter into force, and how U.S. ratification can move that process forward, read the Arms Control Association's recent report "Now More Than Ever: the Case for the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty."