Verification Research: Canada's Verification Research Program

48 pages. Wraps. Illustrations (some in color). Maps. Publications. Verification Brochure No. 3. Why Is Verification Important? The ability to verify treaty compliance gives meaning to international arms control and disarmament treaties. An effective verification mechanism enhances the purpose and goals of the treaty because it ensures that treaty requirements are actually implemented by each member state. Effective verification can also serve as an incentive for countries to sign and ratify treaties, and may deter members from cheating or simply partially fulfilling treaty obligations. Ideally, verification takes place in a timely manner before the violation of a treaty becomes a threat to the national security of other treaty members. How Does Verification Work? Verification efforts can be carried out in several different ways by single states or collectively. In case of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), an organization called the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) , headquartered in Austria, is mandated with the creation of a global verification system. The CTBTO relies on remote monitoring through seismic technologies.…