Above: President John F. Kennedy signs the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Image courtesy of George Washington University.
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“On October 10, 1963, the U.S., the U.S.S.R., and the U.K. signed the Limited Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty, an agreement which restricted the detonation of nuclear weapons in the atmosphere, underwater, or in outer space, or in any other environment if the explosion would cause radioactive debris to be present outside the borders of the state conducting the explosion." -Introduction, Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space and Under Water This agreement, also known as the ‘Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space and Under Water', was the first to limit the rights of a nuclear weapon-holding state. |
The Limited Test Ban Treaty marked a turning point in the United States government's perception of the rights and responsibilities of a nuclear weapon-holding state.
For the first time, the U.S. attempted to find long-term solutions to conflict with the Soviet Union. The U.S. recognized its responsibility of regulating of nuclear weapons. Additionally, it recognized its responsibility of protecting the international community by limiting the rights of itself and other nuclear weapon-holding states.
1. Each of the Parties to this Treaty undertakes to prohibit, to prevent, and not to carry out any nuclear weapon test explosion, or any other nuclear explosion, at any place under its jurisdiction or control:(a) in the atmosphere; beyond its limits, including outer space; or under water, including territorial waters or high seas; or(b) in any other environment if such explosion causes radioactive debris to be present outside the territorial limits of the State under whose jurisdiction or control such explosion is conducted. It is understood in this connection that the provisions of this subparagraph are without prejudice to the conclusion of a Treaty resulting in the permanent banning of all nuclear test explosions, including all such explosions underground, the conclusion of which, as the Parties have stated in the Preamble to this Treaty, they seek to achieve. 2. To make provision for materials, services, equipment, and facilities to meet the needs of research on, and development and practical application of, atomic energy for peaceful purposes;