TEST BAN DELEGATES FAIL TO MEET DEADLINE, BUT SUCCESS IS WITHIN REACH:

Agreement on CTBT must come when talks resume on July 29.

GENEVA, June 28th, 1996:

Greenpeace greeted the presentation of a final text for the Comprehensive nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) today with guarded enthusiasm.

"We are disappointed that due to the obstinance of a few countries the test ban delegates have failed to agree a nuclear test ban by the end of this part of the Conference on Disarmament," Greenpeace Disarmament Campaigner Josh Handler said.

"But it is a success that Chairman Ramaker delivered the final text today. The negotiations are now finished. The delegates have one last job to do - a decision to sign the treaty must be made when talks resume on July 29, so it can be ready for signing at the 51st UN General Assembly in September."

"The pressure is now really on the key problem countries: the UK, Russia and China," said Handler. "They must now prove that they do really want a CTBT."

The UK, Russia, China and Pakistan are insisting on a formula for Entry into Force that calls for specific acceptance of the treaty by the five nuclear weapons states AND the three threshold states -- India, Pakistan, and Israel -- before it can take effect.

However, India has made it clear that it would not subscribe to a treaty that singled-out India's signing as a precondition of the treaty entering into force.

"Greenpeace urges India to join a test ban treaty, but we don't want a treaty that can be held hostage to one nation's unwillingness to sign," said Handler. "It is essential that the UK, Russia, China and Pakistan show flexibility on this point."

"To rid the world forever of nuclear testing will be a great victory but a CTBT will not free the world of the threat of nuclear weapons. After getting the CTBT, the nuclear weapons states, particularly Russia and the United States, must take steps to reduce and eliminate their nuclear arsenals." Mr Handler said.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Simon Carroll in Geneva on mobile +41.79.213.70.67 or +41.21.728.52.25;

Josh Handler in Amsterdam on mobile +31.653.41.79.46.