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In response to a question regarding the recent seismic event in Russia during the regular DoD briefing on Aug. 28, 1997, the spokesman, Capt. Mike Doubleday, USN, incorrectly said: "If the seismic event was actually a low-level nuclear test event, then the Russians would be violating the object and the purpose of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty."

The Department believes a low-level nuclear test would be a breach of the Russian moratorium that has been in place for at least five years, but not a violation of the CTBT since it has not yet entered into force. Beyond that, we do not believe it useful to make a legal determination. We have not yet reached any conclusions on the nature of the seismic event.