The 2003 Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the ComprehensiveNuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (also known as the Article XIV Conference) wassuccessfully concluded on 5 September with the unanimous adoption of the FinalDeclaration. The 2003 Conference attracted more political level participationthan the 1999 Conference previously held in Vienna. Among 107 delegationswere eight Foreign Ministers, including Minister Kawaguchi of Japan, andtwenty Secretaries of State or Deputy Ministers. A letter dispatched by theForeign Ministers of Austria, Finland and Japan, representing the host countryand the current and past Conference Chairpersons respectively, urging theircounterparts to join them at the Conference, contributed to attaining such a highlevel of participation.

It is certainly a source of disappointment, particularly to a country likeJapan which is totally committed to the Treaty, that the CTBT has not enteredinto force seven years after its opening for signature. Those who promote theTreaty, however, should not feel too discouraged. Firstly, regarding theratification of the Treaty by Annex 2 countries, an important step forward wasachieved last July with the ratification by Algeria. It is hoped that the twelveremaining Annex 2 countries will follow soon. At a meeting during theConference, the Foreign Ministers resolved to maintain political momentum byworking together in their continued appeals to the 12 Annex 2 countries to signand ratify as soon as possible. Secondly, with 17 additional ratifiers since the lastArticle XIV Conference, the universality of the Treaty and therefore itseffectiveness as a legal and moral deterrent to nuclear explosions was enhanced.The Final Declaration called upon all States to continue a moratorium on allnuclear explosions and to refrain from acts which would defeat the object andpurpose of the Treaty pending its entry into force. Thirdly, the building-up of theverification regime is advancing well and is serving as a confidence-buildingmeasure even before the actual entry into force of the Treaty.

CTBTO SpectrumCTBTO SpectrumCTBTO NEWSLETTER ISSUE 3 | DECEMBER 2003

Who we are

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-BanTreaty bans all nuclear weapon testexplosions. The Treaty is a cornerstone ofthe international nuclear non-proliferationregime. It opened for signature in NewYork on 24 September 1996, and today hasachieved strong worldwide support.

The CTBTO Preparatory Commissionis an international organization consisting ofa plenary body composed of all StatesSignatories and the Provisional TechnicalSecretariat. It carries out the necessarypreparations for the effective implementationof the Treaty, and prepares for the firstsession of the Conference of the StatesParties to the Treaty after its entry into force.

Inside this issue2003 Article XIV Conference – Animportant stepby Ambassador Yukio Takasu of Japan......1EDITORIAL ........................................2RESULTS OF THE ARTICLE

XIV CONFERENCE ......................................2NOTES & QUOTES........................................3COMMISSION UPDATE ..................................4STATUS OF SIGNATURE AND RATIFICATION ....5SECRETARIAT SNAPSHOTS ............................6OUTREACH ACTIVITIES ................................7IN THE SPOTLIGHT: H.E. Benita Ferrero-Waldner, FederalMinister of Foreign Affairs, Austria ..........8PERSPECTIVES: Can CTBT infrasoundtechnology assist civil aviation?by Dr. Hein Haak ....................................10VERIFICATION HIGHLIGHTS ........................12VERIFICATION SCIENCE ..............................14POTENTIAL CIVIL AND

SCIENTIFIC APPLICATIONS ..........................15CALENDAR OF MEETINGS 2004 ..................16

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2003 Article XIV Conference – An important stepby Ambassador Yukio Takasu of Japan

continued on page 3

ARTICLE XIV CONFERENCE, AUSTRIA CENTER, VIENNA, 3-5 SEPTEMBER 2003

Editorial

This September, one hundred and two States Signatoriesand five other States came together to participate in the2003 Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force ofthe Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (Article XIVConference), many of them at ministerial or Secretary ofState level. The Conference took place in Vienna from 3 to5 September, and underlined clearly the internationalcommunity’s strong support for the ComprehensiveNuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). At the time of writing,170 States have signed and 108 have ratified the Treaty.

In her opening address to the Conference, the Austrian Minister forForeign Affairs, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, stated that the Conference could nothave come at a more appropriate moment: “The issue of weapons of massdestruction dominates the international agenda and is a major ingredient ofsome of the most dangerous crises the world is facing today. The prevention ofproliferation and of testing of such weapons therefore is of the utmost urgency.”Clearly, many governments and citizens are concerned about internationaldevelopments since the 2001 Article XIV Conference. This concern is alsoreflected by the large number of non-governmental organizations and mediarepresentatives who attended the Conference. Their participation is anindication of the Treaty’s relevance, and of the worldwide interest in nuclearnon-proliferation and global security.

This issue of CTBTO Spectrum looks at the results of the Article XIVConference. The cover story by Ambassador Yukio Takasu provides a MemberState’s view of the Conference. As an overarching theme, this issue focuses onthe benefits of signing the Treaty, both political and those deriving from thepotential civil and scientific applications of the verification technologies. Aninterview with Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner, and a special feature article byHein Haak, a Dutch infrasound expert, concentrate on this theme. As usual, weinclude an overview of the Commission’s work over the past six months,including an update on the latest session of the Preparatory Commission.

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Wolfgang HoffmannExecutive SecretaryPreparatory Commission for the ComprehensiveNuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization

Results of the ArticleXIV Conference

The 2003 Conference on Facilitating theEntry into Force of the ComprehensiveNuclear-Test-Ban Treaty concluded on 5September in Vienna. Delegates adopteda Final Declaration that stressed theimportance of a universal and effectivelyverifiable comprehensive Treaty as amajor instrument of nuclear disarmamentand non-proliferation. “The preventionof the proliferation of weapons of massdestruction is one of the most importantchallenges facing the world”, the FinalDeclaration stated. States participating inthe Conference reaffirmed that “theCTBT has an essential role to play instrengthening global peace and security.”

For the first time in its history, theConference adopted an action plan withtwelve specific practical measures topromote entry into force, appended to theFinal Declaration. These include, interalia, promoting understanding of theTreaty and demonstrating the benefits ofthe civil and scientific applications of theverification technologies, organizingregional seminars in order to increaseawareness of the important role of theTreaty, and providing legal assistance onimplementation measures and onnational ratification processes. TheProvisional Technical Secretariat isrequested to act as a ‘focal point’ whereinformation about activities undertakenby States Signatories is collected.

Further consultations on theimplementation of the action plan will beheld at a special meeting of StatesSignatories which takes place on 24 November 2003.

Where should we go from here?The Final Declaration includes a list ofvarious concrete measures. The key is tomaintain momentum and keep the CTBThigh on the political agenda. At theglobal level, we should make use ofoccasions such as the 2005 NPT reviewprocess, where particular importanceshould be attached to the urgency of theearly entry into force of the CTBT and ofmaintaining a nuclear test moratorium.We should also aim at holding anotherCTBT Friends ministerial meeting on theoccasion of the United Nations GeneralAssembly next autumn. Furthermore,bilaterally and regionally, we shouldcontinue to engage ourselves actively insoliciting the remaining 12 Annex 2countries, perhaps targeting particularlythose closer to ratification. To promotefurther universalization, we shouldsupport and encourage internationalcooperation projects that make use ofverification technology, including itsapplication to civil and scientificpurposes. Lastly, I strongly hope that theadditional measures to be discussed byratifying States in accordance with theFinal Declaration will make a realcontribution to the promotion of theearly entry into force of the Treaty.

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Notes & quotes

Seminar on CTBTMembership Benefits

A well-attended seminar on the benefitsof the CTBT was held on the margins ofthe 2003 Article XIV Conference on 4September in Vienna. Ambassador TomGrönberg, Permanent Representative ofFinland, opened the seminar andwelcomed the participants on behalf ofthe Conference Presidency. The seminarwas organised by the ProvisionalTechnical Secretariat and chaired byPeter Marshall, a British seismic expert.

In his presentation, Peter Marshallprovided an overview of the variousbenefits of Treaty membership, coveringthe political benefits and the potentialbenefits which may derive from theapplication of the verificationtechnologies for civil and scientificpurposes. He also cited examples ofmembership benefits such as training ofState Signatory personnel. As a result ofthe Preparatory Commission trainingprogramme, personnel return home withenhanced knowledge and skills, bothscientific and technical. This knowledgecan be used to improve nationalcompetence in verification and toprovide national governments with betteradvice on Treaty related political andtechnical issues.

Robert Kleywegt, a South Africanseismologist, presented a regionalperspective on possible applications ofthe CTBT seismic network. He pointedout that at present Africa has noappropriate level of data to assess thepotential effects of natural hazards suchas large earthquakes. “The CTBTOseismic network could provide muchneeded data and be the catalyst for thedevelopment of sub-regional and localseismic networks, while the IDC’sbulletins and information from otherglobal databases could be accessed togenerate the seismic history componentfor seismic hazard studies.”

Biographical note

Ambassador YukioTakasu, PermanentRepresentative ofJapan to theInternationalOrganizations inVienna since 2001,joined the diplomaticservice in 1969 and

served in various positions in the UnitedKingdom, Malaysia, Indonesia and at theUnited Nations in New York. He studied at theUniversity of Tokyo and at Oxford University.

In the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo, he wasresponsible for Japan’s policy on WesternEurope and on the United Nations (1988-1992). In September 1993, Mr Takasu wasappointed Assistant Secretary-General andController of the United Nations (UN) in NewYork, where he was in charge of the budgetaryand financial operations of the UN.

Between 1997 and 2000, Mr Takasuserved his country as Ambassador to theUnited Nations, representing Japan in theSecurity Council from 1997 to 1998. Inearly 2000, he was appointed Director-General of the Multilateral CooperationDepartment in Tokyo, and subsequently,Ambassador in charge of civil society.

“Since Japan is the only country in theworld to have suffered the tragedy ofatomic bombings, we Japanese peoplehave a particularly strong desire for a banon nuclear testing. … Our efforts towardthe early entry into force of the CTBThave permeated international opinion andthe norm has taken root that all types ofnuclear tests should be banned. Thus, theCTBT, even before entering into force, isplaying an important role as a strong deterrent against nuclear testing. It is important that we ceaselessly andtenaciously persevere in our efforts.”

H. E. YORIKO KAWAGUCHI, FOREIGN MINISTER OF JAPAN,STATEMENT AT THE CONFERENCE ON FACILITATING THEENTRY INTO FORCE OF THE CTBT, 3 SEPTEMBER 2003

2003 Article XIV Conference...continued from cover page

continued on page 16

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The plenary debate

The main focus of the plenary debatewas on budgetary issues and on theintroduction of a split currency systemto protect the Commission from theadverse effects of currency fluctuationsbetween US dollars and euros. Whenexpressing their views on the 2004Programme and Budget proposals,several delegations stated that thenominal growth of 6,4% is highcompared with the 2003 budget. Otherdelegations supported the PTS draftbudget proposal as a good basis forfurther discussions.

Member States welcomed thesigning of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty by Afghanistan, Eritreaand Palau and the ratifications byAfghanistan, Algeria, Cyprus, Eritrea,Honduras and Kyrgyzstan since the lastsession of the Commission. Manydelegations mentioned the successfuloutcome of the 2003 Conference onFacilitating the Entry into Force of theCTBT and encouraged the PTS tocontinue its outreach activities and tocarry on holding training courses,seminars and workshops.

Conclusions

The Commission approved the budget for2004 amounting to US$94 548 700. Itwas decided to implement a split currencyappropriation and assessment systemstarting with the 2005 Programme andBudget. Ambassador Yukio Takasu ofJapan was elected as the next chairpersonof the Commission for 2004. The contractof the Executive Secretary was extendeduntil 31 July 2005.

Report on the November2003 Session

The Preparatory Commission for theComprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban TreatyOrganization held its Twenty-FirstSession from 10 to 13 November 2003 inVienna under the chairmanship ofAmbassador Thomas Stelzer of Austria.84 Member States attended the session.

The report of the ExecutiveSecretary

Mr. Wolfgang Hoffmann, ExecutiveSecretary of the CTBTO PreparatoryCommission, reported in detail on theprogress achieved in theimplementation of all MajorProgrammes of the PreparatoryCommission. He informed on suchevents as the International MonitoringSystem (IMS) Technical TrainingProgramme, the training course forNational Data Centre managers, the On-Site Inspection (OSI) table top exercise,the OSI experimental advanced course,the Global CommunicationsInfrastructure/Evaluation jointworkshop and the Information VisitProgramme. Mr. Hoffmann reportedthat 68 out of the 337 IMS facilitieshave now been certified as fullymeeting the stringent technicalrequirements of the system.

The Executive Secretary pointedout that the overall planning andimplementation of work programmesbecame difficult due to currencyfluctuations and the uncertainties aboutpayments of 2003 contributions byMember States. He informed MemberStates that the Provisional TechnicalSecretariat (PTS) would initiate aninternal review of the PTS with a viewto further increase its efficiency.

Commission update

Chairperson of thePreparatory Commission

AmbassadorThomas Stelzer,PermanentRepresentative ofAustria to theCTBTOPreparatoryCommission, hasserved asChairman of the

Commission for the second half of2003.

Ambassador Stelzer studied atthe Faculty of Law of the Universityof Vienna, Austria, where he attained adoctoral degree. He also holds adiploma from the School forAdvanced International Studies of theJohns Hopkins University and anM.A. in Latin American Studies fromStanford University.

Ambassador Stelzer joined thediplomatic service in 1988. From 1990to 1995 he served as MinisterCounsellor in the Austrian Mission tothe United Nations in New York. Inthis position he served, inter alia, asVice-Chairman of the FirstCommittee. From 1995 to 1997 heworked as Deputy Director of theAustrian Cultural Institute in NewYork. Before he took up his currentpost in 2001, he held a post in theProvisional Technical Secretariat asSpecial Assistant to the ExecutiveSecretary.

Treaty signatures and ratifications

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STATUS AS OF 11 NOVEMBER 2003

Between 13 November 2001, the opening of the 2001 Article XIV Conference, and 5 September 2003, the conclusion of the2003 Article XIV Conference, 17 States ratified and seven States signed the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, includingone State listed in Annex 2 to the Treaty. The States that have ratified are Albania, Algeria, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Coted’Ivoire, Cyprus, Georgia, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Mauritania, Niger, Oman, Samoa, San Marino and Venezuela.The States that have signed are Belize, Botswana, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Gambia and Libya. Since then oneadditional State signed (Afghanistan) the CTBT and four ratified it (Afghanistan, Eritrea, Honduras and Kyrgyzstan).

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Participants at the 2003 Article XIVconference could see the CTBTverification technologies in operation atan exhibition in the foyer of theconference area. The exhibition, titled‘CTBT: A Global Verification Regime’,focused on the technologies used by theInternational Monitoring System, theGlobal Communications Infrastructure,the International Data Centre and On-Site Inspections. Technical staff gavedemonstrations of how the specializedverification equipment works.

Conference participants wereshown how seismic signals travel via thesatellite-based Global CommunicationsInfrastructure, and had the opportunityto create seismic signals of their ownwhich were displayed seconds later on aneighbouring monitor. Other exhibitsincluded hydroacoustic cables, workinginfrasound elements, radionuclidestation components and seismometers. Anetworked IDC workstation displayed

Secretariat snapshots

near real-time seismo-acoustic data, andan extensive display of on-siteinspection equipment was set up forparticipants to examine.

An exhibition of photographs ofIMS facilities worldwide provided a

glimpse of the global reach of theIMS, the range of site locations andthe diversity of station types. Theexhibition is designed to be reusable,and was also on display during the21st session of the PreparatoryCommission in November 2003.

“CTBT: A GLOBAL VERIFICATION REGIME”, PTS EXHIBITION AT THE 2003 ARTICLE XIV CONFERENCE

2003 Provisional Technical Secretariat Exhibition“CTBT: A Global Verification Regime”

“CTBT: A GLOBAL VERIFICATION REGIME”, PTS EXHIBITION AT THE 2003 ARTICLE XIV CONFERENCE

THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF FINLAND, MR ERKKI TUOMIOJA (LEFT), AND MR WOLFGANGHOFFMANN, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, CTBTO PREPARATORY COMMISSION, AT THE OPENING OFTHE EXHIBITION

Access to specialized training is one ofthe major benefits offered to MemberStates by all three verification Divisionsof the Provisional Technical Secretariat.

The main objective of the technicaltraining programme conducted by theInternational Monitoring System (IMS)Division is to support the installation,operation and maintenance of the IMSnetwork stations. Station operators,either managers or local operators ofnewly or soon to be installed stations,are invited to attend a two week trainingprogramme. The most recent trainingtook place from 7 to 17 October 2003 inAustria. Twenty-six station operatorsfrom 19 States Signatories participated.

The first week consists of a generaltraining for operators of all types ofstations. In the second week, specifictraining courses for each technology andtype of equipment are offered. Inaddition, equipment providers andinstallers provide local operators withon-site training during or shortly afterthe installation period. Training curriculaare developed in close cooperation withstation operators.

For more information on PTStraining courses, please visit the CTBTOpublic web site: www.ctbto.org.

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Outreach activities

External relations

The Preparatory Commission attachesgreat importance to Africa’s role inensuring the entry into force anduniversality of the ComprehensiveNuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. It was the firstgeographical region visited by theExecutive Secretary in 1997 and manymissions have been undertaken since bystaff from the PTS.

In 2002 and 2003, two AfricanStates signed and six ratified the CTBT,including one Annex 2 State. The CTBTis in line with African non-proliferationand disarmament initiatives such as theDeclaration on the Denuclearization ofAfrica (1964) and the Treaty ofPelindaba (1996) which establishes anuclear-weapon free zone in Africa. Inaddition, all African countries are partiesto the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation ofNuclear Weapons (NPT).

The Commission of the AfricanUnion has expressed its support for theCTBT and for the PreparatoryCommission’s work. A brochure on‘Africa and the CTBT’, which includes asection on the political and civil andscientific benefits of CTBT membership,has been published in Arabic, Englishand French.

Sopron, Hungary, was the location foran Experts’ Discussion on the Civil andScientific Applications of CTBTVerification Technologies, organized bythe Provisional Technical Secretariat(PTS) and the Government of Hungaryon 6 September 2003. The meeting washeld as a follow-up to an experts’discussion on the same topic which tookplace in London in May 2002. Ninescientists from six States contributedpresentations to the meeting. Observersfrom three States, the PermanentMission of Hungary and NGOrepresentatives also attended the event.

The experts’ discussion reviewed andfurther explored potential civil andscientific applications of seismic andradionuclide CTBT verificationtechnologies. Participants noted the factthat the CTBTO Preparatory Commissiondoes not foresee use of data from theInternational Monitoring System (IMS)network or of data products from theInternational Data Centre beyond thepurpose of the Treaty at the present time.Several experts, however, expressed theirconcern that if data and products are notmade publicly accessible to them, the IMSnetwork and its potential civil applicationsmay ultimately become less relevant forthe scientific community.

The PTS conducts a variety ofactivities focusing on enhancing theTreaty understanding of decision-makers and the general public,generating political support,encouraging internationalcooperation and building nationaltechnical capacities through training.

SEISMIC STATION OPERATORS VISIT THE CONRAD OBSERVATORYIN TRAFELBERG (AUSTRIA) DURING A TECHNICAL TRAININGPROGRAMME, 17-21 MARCH 2003

International cooperation

EXPERTS’ DISCUSSION ON THE CIVIL AND SCIENTIFICAPPLICATIONS OF CTBT VERIFICATION TECHNOLOGIES,SOPRON (HUNGARY), 6 SEPTEMBER 2003

Training

that already 107 States have ratified theTreaty gives rise to optimism. Amongthose who have not ratified or signed theCTBT, there are some who face technicaland logistic problems and others who stillharbour doubts about the political meritsof the Treaty. With regard to the firstgroup of States, we must facilitatetechnical and legal assistance through theinter-sessional Coordinator, theProvisional Technical Secretariat (PTS) orthe Special Representative, if appointedby ratifying States, to promote theratification process. As regards the otherStates, we need to increase our efforts toraise awareness of the importance of theCTBT and use bilateral meetings,multilateral fora and various outreachactivities to this end. This is a difficulttask, but I am convinced that if wecontinue to join forces, we will succeed inbringing the CTBT into force.

Q: Much attention at the 2003 ArticleXIV Conference focused on the variousforms of benefits of the CTBT.

In your view, what are the mainpolitical benefits of joining the CTBT?

A: In the past months, the issue ofproliferation of weapons of massdestruction, in particular of nuclear

ratifications has steadily increased. Inthis respect, I was very pleased to notethe ratification by Algeria in July, 2003which was the first ratification by anAnnex 2 State since February 2001.

Q: Many participants during theConference expressed fears that furtherdelay in the CTBT’s entry into force couldlead to a resumption of nuclear testing.

How do you see the prospects ofearly entry into force of the CTBT in thecontext of the steps outlined in the ArticleXIV Conference Final Declaration?

A: In the Final Declaration wereaffirmed our strong determination toundertake all measures consistent withinternational law to accelerate theratification process in order to facilitatethe early entry into force of the Treaty.The practical steps foreseen in the FinalDeclaration contain all conceivableelements to gradually increase thenumber of signatures and ratifications.Looking at the prospects of the entry intoforce of the CTBT, we should bear inmind that in the field of disarmament,arms control and non-proliferation it

normally takes many years untilinternational treaties are accepted by asignificant number of countries. The fact

Q: One hundred and two StatesSignatories and five other Statesparticipated in the 2003 Conference onFacilitating the Entry into Force of theComprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty(Article XIV Conference) in Vienna on 3-5September. The Conference reaffirmed theinternational community’s strong supportfor the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-BanTreaty (CTBT) and its essential role instrengthening global peace and security.

In your view, what are the mainpolitical achievements of the Conference?

A: In my view, the 2003 Article XIVConference has been very successful.The participation of 107 States,including many on ministerial level, 70of which delivered a statement in thegeneral debate, bore witness to the highimportance many States continue toattach to the CTBT and its entry intoforce. Delegations left no doubt abouttheir unwavering commitment to theTreaty and made clear that the CTBTcontributes significantly to nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament.Furthermore, as in 1999 and 2001, anumber of countries have acceleratedtheir ratification processes. As a result,the number of signatures and

Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs of Austria, H.E. Benita Ferrero-Waldner

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“Looking at the prospects of the entryinto force of the CTBT, we should bearin mind that in the field of disarmament,arms control and non-proliferation itnormally takes many years untilinternational treaties are accepted by asignificant number of countries.”

In the spotlight

H.E. BENITA FERRERO-WALDNER, AUSTRIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, ADDRESSES THE 2003 ARTICLE XIV CONFERENCE, 3 SEPTEMBER 2003

achieving theentry into forceof the Treatyand in setting upthe internationalverificationsystem. In mymany bilateraland multilateralcontacts, Iregularly raise,where feasibleand applicable,

the issue of CTBT signature andratification. I have also instructed ourAmbassadors and other senior officialsin my Ministry to do likewise on theirlevel. In the NPT process, Austriastresses the strong link between the NPTand the CTBT, as testified by theinclusion of the early entry into force ofthe CTBT into the 13 practical steps forsystematic and progressive efforts toimplement nuclear disarmamentcontained in the Final Document of the2000 NPT Review Conference. At the2003 Article XIV Conference, Austriasupported the suggestion of establishing

a trust fund to finance inter-sessionalactivities promoting the early entry intoforce of the Treaty. In order to give thetrust fund a good start, and as anincentive for other possible donors,Austria pledged the amount of € 10.000to the fund which ratifying States willconsider to establish.

weapons, has gained enormous importanceand ranks high on the international agenda.The CTBT, which bans all nuclearexplosions for civil and military purposes,is an essential element on the long waytowards a nuclear-weapon free worldwhich will make this planet much saferthan it is now. The CTBT curbs thequalitative nuclear arms race, buildsconfidence and enhances internationalpeace and security. As it was highlighted ina seminar held at the margins of the 2003Article XIV Conference, the verificationsystem of the CTBT also offers numerousbenefits for civil and scientificapplications, especially in the areas ofenvironment and earth science.

Q: In your speech at the opening of the2003 Article XIV Conference you wereencouraging delegates “to work towardsa world that finally does not need anymore Conferences on Facilitating theEntry into Force of the CTBT.”

How does Austria, as the hostcountry, regard its role in supportingmoves towards entry into force of theComprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty?

A: Let me take this opportunity toreiterate that, while we followimpatiently the ratification process, wecommend the CTBTO PreparatoryCommission and the PTS for theexcellent work they are doing in

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“In my many bilateral and multilateralcontacts, I regularly raise, where feasibleand applicable, the issue of CTBT signatureand ratification. I have also instructed ourAmbassadors and other senior officials inmy Ministry to do likewise on their level.”

Biographical note

H.E. Benita Ferrero-Waldner is theFederal Minister forForeign Affairs ofAustria. Ms Ferrero-Waldner holds adoctoral degree in lawfrom the University ofSalzburg. She joined

the diplomatic service in 1984.

Besides working in variousdepartments at the Foreign Ministry inVienna, Ms Ferrero-Waldner also servedbetween 1986 and 1993 as First Secretaryat the Austrian Mission in Senegal and asCounsellor for Economic Affairs andDeputy Chief of the Austrian Mission inFrance. In 1994, she was appointed Chiefof Protocol in the Executive Office of theUnited Nations Secretary General. In May1995 she took up her assignment as StateSecretary for Foreign Affairs in theAustrian government. She has held theposition of Federal Minister for ForeignAffairs since February 2000.

“The CTBT, which bans all nuclearexplosions for civil and militarypurposes, is an essential element onthe long way towards a nuclear-weapon free world which will makethis planet much safer than it is now.”

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In addition to their primary purpose ofverifying compliance with theComprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty(CTBT), the data of the verificationtechnologies of the InternationalMonitoring System (IMS) and theproducts of the International Data Centre(IDC) have the potential to provide a

range of useful civil and scientificapplications. For example, the IMSinfrasound network can detect volcanicevents, and possibly make a contributionto air safety.

Today there are over 600 activevolcanoes in the world. The Indonesianarchipelago alone has over 100.Between 50 and 70 volcanoes are activeduring any given year and sometimesthey can erupt violently. Recentexamples include Mount Etna on Sicilyin 2001, Montserrat in the Caribbean in1995-1996, Pinatubo in the Philippinesin 1991 and Mount St Helens in theUnited States in 1980. When volcanoesexplode, tonnes of solid material can bethrown into the air. The lighter material

is transported by winds, often ingigantic ash plumes.

Volcanic ash plumes can have acatastrophic effect on the jet engines ofan airplane, causing them to malfunctionor to stall completely. Volcanic ash meltsat approximately 1100 ºC. The operating

temperature of a jetengine is muchhigher – around1400 ºC – which iswhy hot materialfuses to parts ofthe jet engine.Since 1982, a‘flame out’ causedby the ingestion ofvolcanic ash into ajet engine has

happened four times. Airlines are keenlyaware of the danger posed by volcanicash, and have to be informed of anyvolcanic activity in the world. If volcanicactivity is reported, airplanes must bererouted. This safety measure haseconomic implications and can causedelays.

Efforts are underway currently tocoordinate the reporting of volcanicactivity around the world. TheInternational Civil Aviation Organization(ICAO) of the United Nations, togetherwith the World MeteorologicalOrganization (WMO), the InternationalUnion of Geodesy and Geophysics(IUGG) and the World Organization ofVolcano Observatories (WOVO),coordinate a programme calledInternational Airways Volcanic Watch(IAVW). IAVW collects the data ofground-based measuring networks,satellite detection systems and in-flightair reports and it provides the necessarywarnings to aircrafts.

How can infrasound help in thedetection of volcanic eruptions? When a

volcano explodes, it causes very lowfrequency infrasonic waves. These soundwaves can propagate over thousands ofkilometres. The explosions of Mt. Etnain July 2001, for example, were recordedin Europe at the IMS infrasound array IS26 in Germany, in France near Flers andat an experimental infrasound array inthe Netherlands at a distance of 1700kilometres from Mt. Etna. The Dutcharray recorded almost 1000 detectionsfrom Etna in less than a day. Infrasoundarrays of the IMS network and alsonational institutions could, in principle,contribute significantly to the work ofIAVW. The ICAO has already requestedthe CTBTO to study the possibilities ofusing the IMS infrasound network forthe detection of volcanic events.

The detection and identification ofnuclear explosions is not that muchdifferent from the detection of volcanic

Can CTBT infrasound technology assist civil aviation? by Dr Hein Haak

Perspectives

“Volcanic ash plumes can havea catastrophic effect on the jetengines of an airplane,causing them to malfunctionor to stall completely.”

EXPLOSION, MOUNT ETNA (ITALY), JULY 2001

“When a volcano explodes,it causes very lowfrequency infrasonicwaves. These soundwaves can propagate overthousands of kilometres.”

ASH PLUME CAUSED BY ERUPTION OF MOUNT ETNA(ITALY), 24 JULY 2001, 9:52 GMT

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explosions. Volcanic explosions mayoccur in a series of quite small events,and they occur naturally at the surfaceof the earth. Other than this, there arestrong similarities between the twotypes of explosive sources. Both alsoproduce seismic and hydroacoustic

signals which can be used in synergywith the infrasound measurements todetect explosions.

As well as locating infrasonicevents it is also important that signals canbe recognized and attributed to specific

sources. Infrasound analysis is still in itsinfancy and the number of infrasoundexperts around the world is limited. Atthe moment, only a few phenomena are

easily identified, such as the infrasoundfrom interacting ocean waves, orinfrasound that is caused by strong windspassing mountain ridges. With respect toexplosive sources, identification is lesscertain. To distinguish between anexploding meteorite, a volcanic explosion

or a nuclear explosion is still anunresolved problem. This problembecomes even more difficult to solve ifthe signals are small. In the learningphase of infrasound analysis othertechniques are needed to make positivesource identification.

What does this mean forthe detection capability ofvolcanic events by the IMSinfrasound network? Furtherresearch and testing is neededto understand fully thepotentials and limitations ofmonitoring volcanoes withinfrasound. However, insynergy with IMS and IDCdata from the seismic andhydroacoustic network,infrasound is likely to become

a viable technology to detect and locatevolcanic events.

Biographical note

Hein Haak heads theDivision ofSeismology at theRoyal NetherlandsMeteorologicalInstitute. In 1987 hejoined the Group ofScientific Expertsthat laid out the

scientific basis for the CTBT. As aseismologist, he became also interestedin the related field of infrasound, also ofprime importance to the CTBT. In thedecisive final year of the CTBTnegotiations in Geneva, he served on theteam that assisted the Dutch chairleading the negotiations. Since 1997 hehas supported the work of the CTBTOPreparatory Commission as a Friend ofthe Chair of Working Group B.

“Further research andtesting is needed tounderstand fully thepotentials and limitationsof monitoring volcanoeswith infrasound.”

“Infrasound analysis is still in its infancyand the number of infrasound expertsaround the world is limited. At the moment,only a few phenomena are easily identified,such as the infrasound from interactingocean waves, or infrasound that is causedby strong winds passing mountain ridges.”

DETAIL OF AN INFRASOUND ARRAY

An O&M coordination groupwas created to establish commonO&M procedures and to promote ahorizontal flow of information withinthe PTS. It reports to the Director ofthe IMS Division. The coordination ofO&M includes activities such as thedevelopment of databases to manageinformation related to station O&M;coordination of the implementation ofthe model O&M contracts; thedocumentation of O&M procedures;the training of station operators andthe development of logistical plans forthe long-term sustainment of thenetwork. To achieve this, O&Mcoordination is supported by thetechnical expertise of the IMS andInternational Data Centre Divisions,and representatives from theIMS station status

Considerable progress hasbeen made in establishingand certifying IMS stationsin the past six months. Thenumber of certifiedfacilities meeting alltechnical specifications hasincreased from 57 to 68,including two radionuclidelaboratories. Site surveyshave been completed for293 stations out of the 337IMS facilities. Altogether90 stations have alreadybeen established orsubstantially meetspecifications, and 52additional stations areunder construction or incontract negotiation.Nearly 60 IMS stations arecurrently funded foroperation andmaintenance, either fortesting and evaluation priorto certification or for post-certification activities. Some

85 facilities are currently sending data tothe International Data Centre in Vienna,where the data is processed and releasedto Member States for final analysis.

With approximately 50% of theInternational Monitoring Systemnetwork of four verification technologiesnow constructed, the ProvisionalTechnical Secretariat (PTS) isincreasingly focusing on the operationand maintenance (O&M) of the IMSnetwork. O&M will become thedominant part of the IMS programmeonce the stations are fully established.

Verification highlights

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The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-BanTreaty (CTBT) includes a definition ofa global verification regime to monitorcompliance with the Treaty.Establishing this regime, which must becapable of detecting nuclear explosionsunderground, in water and in theatmosphere, is the main activity of thePreparatory Commission for theCTBTO. The verification regime mustbe operational at the Treaty’s entry intoforce. The regime consists of anInternational Monitoring System (IMS)supported by an International DataCentre (IDC), consultation andclarification, on-site inspections (OSI)and confidence-building measures.

IMS station operationand maintenance

THE GRAPH DISPLAYS DATA AVAILABILITY (DA) FOR CERTIFIED STATIONS THAT HAVE STARTED OPERATIONS. DA IS A KEY PERFORMANCEINDICATOR (KPI) THAT REPRESENTS THE AMOUNT OF DATA RECEIVED AT THE INTERNATIONAL DATA CENTRE IN VIENNA. ON THIS GRAPH, DA ISEXPRESSED IN PERCENTAGES PER MONTH DIVIDED IN FOUR GROUPS (98% IS THE TARGET KPI SET BY THE PREPARATORY COMMISSION)

continued on page 16

Effective logistics are one of the keyingredients for a successful on-siteinspection which will clarify whether ornot a nuclear test explosion has takenplace.

The 2002 On-Site Inspection FieldExperiment (FE02) in Kazakhstaninvolved a number of operationalactivities such as overflight, passiveseismometry, environmental sampling,visual observation, map-making andestablishing a base camp. Theseactivities, and the hundreds of‘actionable’ lessons that emerged fromFE02, would not have been possiblewithout intensive prior logisticalpreparation.

Among the necessary arrangementswas the travel of 27 inspectors from 18different cities around the world to either

Over the past twelve months, the GlobalCommunications Section of the IDC hasconducted a series of pilot tests to evaluatethe suitability of Virtual Private Network

(VPN) technologies for the transport ofIMS data. The challenge was to find a

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New approaches in GCI: Connecting remotestations to the IDC via private network circuits

Logistics are crucial to the effectiveness of an on-site inspection

technology that had the same reach as thecurrent satellite-based network and was ascompetitive in terms of cost and reliability.The Internet has been used as a medium toestablish a VPN to the ProvisionalTechnical Secretariat in locations withreliable Internet connectivity and wheresatellite-based services are unavailable dueto either technical or commercialconstraints.

Ten VPN connections using theInternet have been deployed so far.Special care has been taken to ensure fullintegration with the existing GlobalCommunications Infrastructureinformation systems. The results of thepilot scheme to date have been verypromising – in many cases theavailability of the VPN services exceeds

the Point of Entry in Almaty, Kazakhstan,or to Vienna and then to Almaty. Morethan two tonnes of medical,decontamination and inspection

equipment had to be shipped from Viennato Almaty and shepherded throughcustoms. Two tonnes of potable water andbatteries (for portable seismometers) were

purchased in Almaty to avoid costly airfreight charges. In addition, in-countrytransportation needed to be arranged,including a 24 hour, 1200 km train andbus trip from Almaty to the remote BaseCamp, six hours of helicopter time foroverflight, and numerous vehicles tosupport in-field inspection activities.Accommodation, food service, laundry,etc. were contracted with a nearby coalmining company.

Although FE02 operations wereconducted according to the Treaty’sstringent timelines, the logistics wereprepared in advance. FE02 provided arealistic laboratory in which theProvisional Technical Secretariat (PTS)could test and improve its logisticspreparations for an eventual real OSI –when the PTS will have only six days toarrange such crucial services.

MORE THAN TWO TONNES OF INSPECTION EQUIPMENTWERE SHIPPED FOR FE02

that of traditional GCI technology.Deployment costs have also been lower.Future plans for VPN services include theintegration of other remote office facilitieswith the Computer Infrastructure section.

Data sent via VPN is encrypted at avery high standard and future securityprojects are envisaged to enhance thesecurity of VPN services connected to thePTS. Further VPN development is plannedover the next twelve months in areaswhere traditional satellite-basedtechnologies cannot be deployed.

GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORK

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Testing high volume airsamplers under severeenvironmental conditions

Of the four verification technologiesused by the International MonitoringSystem, it is the radionuclide monitoringtechnology that provides definite proofthat an event was of a nuclear origin.The radionuclide component of the IMSconsists of 80 radionuclide particulatestations, 40 co-located noble gas stationsand 16 radionuclide laboratories.

The operating principle of aradionuclide particulate station isstraightforward. A large amount of airis passed through an air sampler – atleast 500 m³/h over a period of 24hours – and the particulate matter iscollected on a filter. The filter is thenmeasured with a high purity germaniumdetector to produce a gamma-rayspectrum. This allows the analysis ofairborne radioactivity.

To ensure global coverage, some ofthe IMS radionuclide stations are locatedin very remote areas, where climaticconditions will have a considerable effecton operation. In particular, stations

located at high latitudes (the arctic andsub-arctic regions and Antarctica) mayface a number of problems which coulddisrupt operation or damage the samplingsystem. For example, ice crystals mayenter into the air sampling system duringsnowfall, in particular in conditions ofdrifting snow. Fog droplets may alsoenter the system and freeze inside thesampler. The air intake may clog up dueto ice riming, high winds, or prevailingmedium high winds.

To develop solutions to theseproblems, the Preparatory Commissionis carrying out a number of studies onthe behaviour of air samplers undersevere, polar conditions. In 2002, amodified air sampler was tested in aclimatic wind tunnel in Vienna, Austria,with the aim of identifyingenvironmental conditions leading to iceriming on the air inlet and thesubsequent clogging of the system, or tothe entry of snow and ice particles intothe system (Fig 1).

However, environmentalparameters can be controlled within awind tunnel, allowing somewhatpredictable results, which is not the caseunder natural conditions. To testperformance in these conditions, the

same air sampler utilised for the windtunnel test has been installed atSonnblick, around 50 km south ofSalzburg, Austria, at an altitude of 3000m(Fig. 2). A series of tests are being

carried out between March 2003 andMay 2004. As was done in the windtunnel tests, different inletconfigurations are being tested as well.The goal of the tests is to developimplementable technical solutions tominimise the consequences of adverseweather conditions. But it will bepossible to install air samplers which arelikely to meet operational requirementsat environmentally difficult polarstations only once the results of thestudy are available.

Verification science

The network of the InternationalMonitoring System with its associatedcommunications infrastructure and theInternational Data Centre was designedby a Group of Scientific Experts at theConference on Disarmament in Genevato be fully capable of monitoringcompliance with the Treaty. Newresearch and improved communicationstechnology continuously strengthens andrefines the detection capabilities of theIMS. This column introduces some ofthe latest developments in the field ofverification science.

FIGURE 1: ICE RIMING DURING THE WIND TUNNEL TESTS INVIENNA (AUSTRIA)

FIGURE 2: ICE RIMING UNDER NATURAL ENVIRONMENTALCONDITIONS AT SONNBLICK (AUSTRIA)

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Potential civil and scientific applications

The International Monitoring System usesseismic, hydroacoustic, infrasound andradionuclide monitoring technologiescapable of detecting evidence of nuclearexplosions underground, in water and inthe atmosphere in order to monitorcompliance with the ComprehensiveNuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. Theseverification technologies, together withthe data, technologies and products of theInternational Data Centre, have potentialcivil and scientific applications which canprovide significant benefits to States andthe international scientific community.

The CTBT radionuclidenetwork: Detectingradiological events froma canvas of radionuclides

be extracted from a background canvasof other radionuclides. These are also ofinterest for society and for our scientificknowledge. They provide informationon humankind’s exposure to naturalradioactivity in different environmentson the globe, they can be used as tracersto validate atmospheric transportmodels and they can be used to studyeffects of cosmic radiation. Dust, pollenand insects on the filters can furtherprovide a historic archive for a numberof scientific studies.

In the 1950s, 60s, and 70s theglobal atmosphere always carriedinformation on the atmospheric testingof nuclear weapons. One reason wasthat large nuclear explosions injectedradioactive residues into thestratosphere, which in turn passed itdown – in chunks delayed by years – tothe troposphere we live in. The lastatmospheric nuclear test was carried outin 1980 and by 1986 the stratosphericreservoir was nearly empty of anynuclides from this atmospheric test era.

While national institutions have inthe past investigated radionuclidescaptured by small aerosol particles, newdevelopments in noble gas (xenon)detection spearheaded by France, Russia,Sweden and the United States incooperation with the ProvisionalTechnical Secretariat will establish atechnology, which, together with theparticulate systems in the globalnetwork, will provide a unique detectioncapability. Automated and highlysensitive noble gas surveillancetechnology is actually a CTBT drivendevelopment that will surely also be ofinterest for other parts of society.

The establishment of the CTBTradionuclide network of 80 stations and16 laboratories can be regarded as thedevelopment of a ‘machine’,comparable in scope to the

construction of a giant new particleaccelerator for groundbreaking physicsexperiments, or some other enormousglobal project. Once established, theCTBT radionuclide network will havean unprecedented reach in terms ofglobal and temporal coverage.

The radionuclide content inambient air – the air that we breatheevery day – is dominated by naturallyoccurring nuclides, be it radondaughters or cosmogenically producednuclides like beryllium-7. CTBT-relevant radionuclides must therefore

A SPECTRUM FROM THE CTBT RADIONUCLIDE NETWORK IN LATE 2002 WHICH SHOWS THREE ANTHROPOGENIC RADIONUCLIDES WHICH WERE MOST LIKELYPRODUCED FOR MEDICAL APPLICATIONS. THE UNMARKED PEAKS ARE NATURAL – FROM RADON DAUGHTERS AND FROM RADIONUCLIDES PRODUCED IN THEATMOSPHERE OR IN THE DETECTOR BY COSMIC RADIATION. THESE NATURAL SIGNALS APPEAR IN ALL SPECTRA AND CONSTITUTE THE ‘FOREST’ WITHINWHICH WE LOOK FOR NUCLEAR TEST EXPLOSIONS

EQUIPMENT FOR FULLY AUTOMATIC SAMPLING AND ANALYSISOF AIRBORNE RADIONUCLIDES, CTBT RADIONUCLIDE STATIONSEP 63 IN STOCKHOLM (SWEDEN)

P U B L I S H E D B Y:

Public InformationPreparatory Commission for theComprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO)

Vienna International Centre, P.O. Box 12001400 Vienna, Austria

T +43 1 26030 6200F +43 1 26030 5823E info@ctbto.orgI www.ctbto.org

© 2003 CTBTO Preparatory CommissionCTBTO SPECTRUM - ISSN: 1680-533X

DI S C L A I M E R:The boundaries and presentation of material on maps donot imply the expression of any opinion on the part of theProvisional Technical Secretariat of the PreparatoryCommission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-BanTreaty Organization concerning the legal status of anycountry, territory, city or area or its authorities, orconcerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Printed in Austria, December 2003

Calendar of Meetings 2004

Preparatory Commission:22nd Session 22 - 25 June 200423rd Session 15 - 19 November 2004

Working Group A:25th Session 7 - 11 June 200426th Session 4 - 8 October 2004

Working Group B:22nd Session 9 - 27 February 200423rd Session I 24 May - 4 June 200423rd Session II 30 August - 10 Sept. 2004

Advisory Group:22nd Session I 19 - 23 April 200422nd Session II 17 - 21 May 200423rd Session 13 - 17 September 2004

Yoshio Fukao, a Japaneseseismologist, underlined theadvantages of linking global andregional networks in the field ofseismic tomography, a technique oftaking pictures of the earth’s interiorusing seismic waves. Among otherexamples, he demonstrated the effectof atmospheric and oceanic loading,and seasonal variations thereof, on theearth’s free oscillations. “Weanticipate a great contribution of theCTBT network to understand the

phenomena involving the atmosphere,ocean and solid earth,” he said.

Around 150 representatives ofStates, non-governmentalorganizations and the mediaparticipated in the seminar.

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Operation and maintenance...

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Seminar on CTBT...

Evaluation, Procurement, Financialand Legal Services Sections. O&Mcoordination consists of fivefunctional areas: Operations,Engineering, Planning, ContractManagement and Training. Operationsis responsible for the development andimplementation of commonoperational procedures, monitoring ofstation performance and evaluatingoperational, logistical andmaintenance problems. Engineeringand Planning develops an integratednetwork database to store and manageinformation relevant to IMS andGlobal Communications Infrastructure(GCI) station configurationmanagement. The ContractManagement group is in charge ofmanaging O&M contract

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implementation and finally, theTraining Coordinator defines trainingprogrammes and oversees trainingworkshops for station and siteoperators.

Except for the auxiliary seismicstations, which are operated withnational funds, the PTS is expected topay for the O&M once a station iscertified. Operation and maintenanceusually starts a few months before thestation is certified, under testing andevaluation, to demonstrate that thestation is performing well. Certificationis therefore an important step for thehost country, as a local technicalinstitution will be engaged undercontract with the PTS to operate andmaintain the station.