Kerry says U.S. will seek ratification of Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

PanARMENIAN.Net - The United States strives for the ratification of a Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) by the international community, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said.

"I come here to reiterate the Obama Administration's unshakable commitment to seeing this treaty ratified and entered into force," Kerry said, addressing the Friends of Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty meeting held in UN headquarters Friday, Sept 26, according to RIA Novosti.

"Though we have not yet succeeded in ratifying it for pure political, ideological reasons – not substance, I assure you – we nevertheless are pledged to live by it, and we do live by it, and we will live by it," Kerry explained Washington's stance on the issue.

The Secretary of State concluded the address by underscoring the importance of the agreement "so that we will never again see additional nuclear powers, and so that the existing nuclear powers will continue to move to eliminate these weapons from Earth."

The CTBT, prohibiting all kinds of nuclear explosions for military or civilian purposes, has been adopted by the UN General Assembly back in 1996. However, the document failed to enter into force, as eight nations, including the United States, China, Iran and Israel, have not ratified it.