Greenpeace Update on CTBT Negotiations
from the Conference on Disarmament
8th August 1996
India made an important speech at today's Plenary meeting
of the Conference on Disarmament, reiterating their primary
concerns about the existing draft CTBT text. It was emphasized
that India would not sign the existing text and might even block
its adoption in the Conference.
Perhaps the only achievable solution to India's concerns is
to present assurances that sanctions will not be used against
India in the event that it does not sign the treaty. Failing
this, it is indeed possible that India might veto adoption of the
treaty by the Conference on Disarmament.
The Plenary meeting was also addressed by the Ukraine,
Ireland (who introduced a Declaration on behalf of the EU and a
number of related countries on the CTBT), Morocco, Egypt (who
introduced a programme of action for the elimination of nuclear
weapons on behalf of 28 out of the 29 members of the G-21),
Mexico, and South Africa.
India
Ambassador Ghose began by reiterating the concern of India
that the scope of the CTBT should end the future development of
nuclear weapons and be placed within a nuclear disarmament
process including a time-bound frame-work for the elimination of
nuclear weapons.
India stressed that, in its view, the draft Chairman's text
of 28 June did not differ significantly from the earlier
Chairman's working paper. Thus, as it had said it could not sign
the earlier working paper, therefore it could also not sign the
Chairman's draft of the end of June.
In addition, and most importantly, India drew attention to
the Entry-into-Force (EIF) provisions of the Chairman's draft.
It drew attention, in particular, to the measures incorporated
in the treaty which it sees as seeking "to enforce our signature
by means unprecedented in treaty negotiating practice". This is
a clear reference to India's stated concern that it might be
subject to unilateral or multilateral sanctions in the event that
it does not sign the treaty.
India went on to say that the EIF provisions should be
changed. It also views the resistance to a change in the EIF
provisions comes from only a small number of delegations whom,
it considers, clearly do not wish the treaty to come into force.
India still feels that the EIF article can and ought to be
modified. Indeed the Ambassador stressed that:
If, however, the present text is sought to be retained, I
am instructed to inform the Conference that India would be
reluctantly obliged to oppose such efforts.
India did stress that it did not want to prevent other
countries from exercising their sovereign right to adopt a Treaty
to which they wish to accede, but that it could accept that its
own rights could be constrained.
The Ukraine
The Ukraine endorses the Chairman's draft text despite its
manifest deficiencies, and believes that it should be adopted
without further delay.
Ireland
Ireland informed the Conference of a Declaration by the
Presidency on behalf of the European Union issued yesterday in
Dublin and Brussels. The EFTA countries members of the EEA, the
Central and Eastern European countries associated with the
European Union, and the associated countries Cyprus and Malta
aligned themselves with the Declaration.
Despite its deficiencies, the spirit of compromise must
prevail. The Declaration calls on the text of the CTBT to be
forwarded to the United Nations General Assembly without delay
and in time so that it may be opened for signature at the outset
of the 51st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA-
51).
Morocco
Morocco also expressed the view that the Chairman's text of
the end of June was not ideal, but that it had no opposition in
principle to the text. It stressed that it is essential that the
text is ready for signature at the outset of UNGA-51.
Morocco emphasized however that delegations' concerns needed
to be taken into account, and that it hoped that sufficient
flexibility to this end would be shown.
Egypt
Egypt presented on behalf of members of the 29 members of
the G-21, a document containing a "Programme of Action for the
Elimination of Nuclear Weapons" (one member of the G-21, South
Africa, did not support the statement).
The core of the proposed Programme is a recognition for a
requirement for active multilateral measures to identify,
negotiate and implement specific, step-by-step measures for the
complete elimination of nuclear weapons. It is a three phase
programme, the last phase of which continues until the year 2020
[N.B. a full copy of the Programme is available upon request].
Mexico
Mexico, as one of those that supported the 'Programme of
Action' underlined some of the motivations for the Programme.
South Africa
South Africa informed the Conference on a Joint New
Zealand/South African Communique signed this morning by Prime
Minister Bolger and President Mandela, in which a passage refers
to Disarmament and Arms Control. Both countries noted that they
will sign the CTBT at the earliest opportunity, and the need for
further arms control and disarmament measures.
South Africa also noted that it did not accept the G-21
Programme because of what it saw as linkages between the various
steps. Mexico replied that it saw no such linkages.
Simon Carroll monitors the CTBT negotiations in Geneva for
Greenpeace and may be contacted at:
Hotel des Nations -- phone +41 (22) 734.30.03, Room 303.
fax: +41 (22) 734.38.84.
Mobile phone: +41 (77) 68.33.74.
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