Kerry says U.S. will seek ratification of Nuclear-Test-Ban TreatySeptember 27, 2014 - 10:54 AMT 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. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Russia provides info about arrested Armenian ex-MP Russian law enforcement agencies have provided information about the arrest of Tigran Urikhanyan. Lemkin Institue slams Pashinyan's “cryptic engagement with Genocide denial” The Lemkin Institute is alarmed over Pashinyan’s statements “questioning Armenia's legal basis to pursue justice against Turkey”. 41 detained as antigovernment protests continue in Yerevan 41 people were detained in Yerevan as people demanding Pashinian’s resignation stage campaigns of civil disobedience. Armenia votes for UN resolution granting Palestine new rights The U.N. General Assembly voted by a wide margin on May 10 to grant new “rights and privileges” to Palestine. |