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"I find hope in the work of long-established groups such as the Arms Control Association...[and] I find hope in younger anti-nuclear activists and the movement around the world to formally ban the bomb."

– Vincent Intondi
Professor of History, Montgomery College
July 1, 2020
Seabed Arms Control Treaty
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The Seabed Arms Control Treaty prevents nuclear weapons and international conflict from spreading to the seabed. Any exploration of the seabed would be for peaceful purposes. The Soviet Union presented a draft that called for complete demilitarization of the seabed beyond 12 miles. The United States drafted a treaty prohibiting the placement of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction on the seabed beyond three miles. The United States said complete demilitarization would not be possible as submarine systems and other technologies were vital to U.S. defense interests. In terms of verification, the United States and Soviet Union again disagreed, but decided on individual states undertaking verification using their own means.

Opened for Signature: 11 February 1971

Entry into force: 18 May 1972

Official Text: http://disarmament.un.org/treaties/t/sea_bed/text

Status and Signatories: http://disarmament.un.org/treaties/t/sea_bed