(2015-1095-F) Congressional Ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)

The materials in FOIA 2015-1095-F are a selective body of documents responsive to the topic of the FOIA. Researchers should consult the archivist about related material. On August 10, 1993, at the 659th plenary meeting of the Conference on Disarmament, Member States decided to commence negotiations on a Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). The negotiations commenced in 1994, and the United Nations General Assembly adopted the treaty on September 10, 1996. The treaty states that those party to it would not carry out any nuclear weapon test or explosion and would refrain from encouraging or any way participating in such an explosion. Two weeks after its UN adoption, the treaty was opened for signature. The United States signed the treaty that day, as did 4 other nuclear-capable states. The treaty stipulates that it will enter into force 180 days after the 44 nations listed in Annex 2 have ratified it. As the United States is one of these nations, President Clinton sent the treaty to the Senate for advice and consent on September 22, 1997. However, opponents, concerned about the ability to maintain a safe stockpile and a reliable nuclear deterrent in the absence of testing, commenced a campaign to block it. It was not until 1999 that the Senate held hearings and commenced floor debate on the issue. Ultimately an October 13, 1999 Senate vote failed to ratify the CTBT, 51-48.  As of September 2015, 183 of 196 nations have signed the CTBT. The United States remains one of the eight Annex 2 countries that have not ratified it. The United States does continue to observe its 1993 unilateral moratorium on nuclear explosive testing. In the National Security Council directorate of Defense Policy and Arms Control, Steven Andreasen handled many of the matters related to the CTBT. Records responsive to this FOIA request were pulled from NSC Records Management numbered documents that he either authored or received. They consist of memoranda to National Security Advisor Samuel Berger and the President regarding a legislative strategy, a copy of the official submission to the Senate, fact sheets, and press materials designed to make a case for the treaty’s ratification.