Verification of the Threshold Test Ban

Journal Article · Sat Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Arms Control Today; (USA)

OSTI ID:5953460

Panofsky, W K.H.

Mr. Panofsky notes that the issue is whether or not to certify to the U.S. Senate that the Threshold Test Ban Treaty (TTBT) and the Peaceful Nuclear Explosions Treaty (PNET), with the protocols signed at the recent U.S.-Soviet summit, are adequately verifiable. He concludes: (1) the verification provisions of the TTBT and PNET protocols meet the standard of adequate or effective verification as defined; (2) provisions of the protocols are extremely detailed; implementing these provisions would involve considerable financial costs, a significant fraction of the costs involved in carrying out nuclear tests themselves; there are also costs in restricting the conduct of the tests and risks that sensitive information may be compromised; and (3) while the protocols establish consultative means of settling disagreements, the very detail of the protocols can generate potential sources of controversy. For these reasons the author prefers that the protocols not be incorporated into the TTBT and PNET treaties, but be considered as separate agreements between the United States and the Soviet Union.

• OSTI ID: 5953460
• Journal Information: Arms Control Today; (USA), Journal Name: Arms Control Today; (USA) Vol. 20:7; ISSN ACOTE; ISSN 0196-125X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

350300 -- Arms Control-- Verification-- (1987-)
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
450300* -- Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense-- Nuclear Explosion Detection
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
AGREEMENTS
ARMS CONTROL
ASIA
COST
DETECTION
EASTERN EUROPE
EUROPE
NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR EXPLOSION DETECTION
TREATIES
USA
USSR
VERIFICATION