Last night's vote by the US Senate to throw out the nuclear test ban treaty will send shock waves around the world and deal another serious body blow to the nuclear non-proliferation regime.
The CTBT is one of two nuclear arms control treaties which underpin the nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regime. Without US support the CTBT can never enter-into-force.
China, Russia, India and Pakistan amongst others were all waiting to see what would happen in the US before taking any action. Russia is now stating that it will not now be able to ratify the CTBT. The question is "How many other nations will now take a similar view?"
Events in Pakistan also do not bode well. There is now a military dictatorship with control of nuclear weapons. Faced with India also having a nuclear arsenal, a nuclear conflagration could occur over Kashmir if the situation is not brought under control.
Russia, at the United Nations last night warned of a "return to Cold War dialogue" between them and the US because arms control talks between them are "currently bogged down".
Dave Knight, Chair of CND said: "This is not just a minor hiccup, it is a serious body blow that will send shockwaves around the world and will seriously undermine the hope of achieving a world free of nuclear weapons."
"The Republican Senators who played petty party politics with this important treaty should be hanging their heads in shame at their inexcusable action. This is not the politics required from a responsible nation which should be leading by example in all areas of nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament." "Concerning Pakistan we have to wait and see how things develop in the coming days. Clearly it is worrying that there are two nuclear powers facing off against each other, one of which is now in the hands of a military dictatorship. Democracy, basic human rights and the freedom of the press must immediately be restored in Pakistan and there should be a commitment by the military that nuclear weapons will not be used as a 'big stick' with which to threaten India. However, with the US senatorial vote, persuading the Pakistani military of the uselessness of nuclear weapons will be that much more difficult, if not impossible." "Britain should immediately distance itself from this US vote and take a stronger stance on promoting nuclear disarmament than it has previously. One way would be to fully support the nuclear disarmament initiatives currently being promoted at the United Nations First Committee rather than voting with the US against them."
Note: To date, a total of 155 states have signed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) since it was opened up for signature on 24 September 1996. 51 of these states have ratified. In order to enter into force 44 listed nations must sign and ratify the CTBT. Of these only 26 have ratified.