The Consensus for American Security, sponsored by the American Security Project, officially launched its website yesterday. The Consensus is a non-partisan group of retired military officials and national security experts who are "motivated by a sense of urgency to improve America's nuclear security, reduce the likelihood of terrorists obtaining nuclear materials, and confront the proliferation of nuclear weapons." Toward that end, the group of 33 high-level officials have united behind a few key policies to achieve a safer and more secure world.
The Consensus for American Security statement urged support for two crucial nuclear risk reduction treaties: The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
"America has the world's most modern and effective nuclear arsenal. If we permit other nations to test new weapons it would allow potentially hostile regimes to develop nuclear weapons," they write. "To prevent this and ensure American security in the 21st century, we must permanently and verifiably end the testing of new nuclear weapons by all nations."
Members of the Consensus for American Security include Former Secretary of State George Shultz, Chief Negotiator of the first START agreement Ambassador Richard Burt, Lieutenant General John Castellaw USMC (Ret), Lieutenant General Robert Gard USA (Ret), Vice Admiral Lee Gunn USN (Ret), Lieutenant General Donald Kerrick USA (Ret), Rear Admiral Rose Levitre USN (Ret), and former Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE).
The announcement is the latest wave of support for the CTBT among military, security and technical experts. For a more complete list of supporters of the CTBT, visit the Project website.