Implications of nuclear weapon programmes for the comprehensive test ban treaty and the non-proliferation regime

The comprehensive nuclear test ban (CTB) treaty retains its importance in reducing nuclear weapons testing and promoting non-proliferation despite limited nuclear modernization and proliferation which is likely to occur globally. The necessity of reaching consensus at the Conference on Disarmament (CD) has meant that certain, undesirable activities are permitted by CTB. The implications for CTB treaty negotiations of the positions of CD member states are explored, including details of permitted activities, loopholes and break-out scenarios. The signing of CTB will, it is hoped, create international nuclear norms against weapons testing, modernization and proliferation visible to the whole international community. The success of CTB, it is argued, is an important step towards international nuclear disarmament. (UK)