CTBTO Preparatory Commission
publishes 2nd issue of
CTBTO Spectrum

The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty publishes the second issue of its biannual public newsletter today. CTBTO Spectrum intends to foster understanding of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), it reports about the activities of the Commission and provides in-depth information about the built-up of the verification system. This issue focuses on the upcoming Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the CTBT which will take place in Vienna from 3 to 5 September 2003. An interview with Ambassador Tom Gr?nberg of Finland, who is chairing the preparatory process of the Conference, and a feature article by the former United Nations Under-Secretary-General Jayantha Dhanapala highlight this theme. The cover story by Dr David McCormack, a Canadian seismologist, gives an example of one of the potential civil and scientific applications of the verification technologies. In addition, regular columns cover a wide range of topics, including recent developments in verification science and a report on the latest session of the Preparatory Commission. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty bans all nuclear test explosions in any environment. Drafted at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, and opened for signature on 24 September 1996, the Treaty must be ratified by 44 named States before it can enter into force. The Treaty has been signed by 167 and ratified by 103 States. 32 of the 44 named States have so far ratified it. CTBTO Spectrum is distributed to the Commission?s specialized audiences and to the wider public. To receive a hardcopy of CTBTO Spectrum, please write to [email protected], for the electronic version subscribe via the web site at www.ctbto.org

For further information on the CTBTO, please see www.ctbto.org or contact:
Annika Thunborg, Chief, Public Information  
T    +43 1 26030-6375  
E    [email protected]
M    +43 699 1459 6375       
I    www.ctbto.org