Iowa State Daily Editorial Board: Tim Davis, Jamey Hansen, Tim Frerking, Chris Mende and Keesia Wirt.

After two years of negotiating and revising, the Comprehensive Testing Ban Treaty (CTBT) is almost ready to be finalized.

China and Russia have conceded a few of their requirements, and the time is right for signing. The United States and the other declared nuclear powers (England, France, Russia and China) have called on Israel, Pakistan, and India — countries thought to have nuclear weapons or the technology to produce them —ÿto also sign the treaty. India is now the only hold-out.

India has refused to sign the CTBT until there is a clause for disarming the existing nuclear powers. India’s reasoning for not signing the Comprehensive Testing Ban Treaty (CTBT) is admirable, but, unfortunately, not practical.

The CTBT is one of many steps to reducing or eliminating the world’s nuclear weapons. In effect, it would prevent countries from developing any new nuclear bombs.

It is said that the CTBT will prevent a new qualitive arms race and should maintain the nuclear status quo. The status quo is a long way from disarmament, but it is a start.

There are other treaties and agreements in the works for ridding the world of nuclear weapons; the CTBT is only one. But it is very important. And even more important is getting it signed this year.

It is possible that Russia might change leadership sometime this year. Who knows what a new Russian president would say about the treaty? Don’t forget, the U.S. is also having an election. New presidents come with new ideas.

Another treaty called the Non Proliferation Treaty calls on the CTBT to be signed in ’96. If it doesn’t, the NPT may falter as well.

The time for signing is now. Holding out for a disarmament clause — something that will takes years of negotiating — jeapordizes the entire process. India needs to realize the situation and sign the treaty.

But perhaps there’s something to consider about India’s hold-out: how can we seek true disarmament when the nations’ holding nuclear weapons refuse to disarm?