Statements by Governments at the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty talks in April on nuclear testing, prior to France's decision to resume testing at Moruroa atoll. The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty was extended indefinitely in May, in spite of many countries' concern that this would give the nuclear weapon states (France, U.S., U.K., China and Russia) carte blanche to continue their nuclear weapons programmes. In spite of "solemn pledges" by the nuclear weaponsn states to exercise "utmost restraint" on testing at the NPT, China tested its 42nd nuclear bomb three days after the conference ended, and France's decision to resume testing on June 13th has been widely viewed as undermining the commitments made at the Non-Proliferation Treaty Conference.
Click on the name of the country to see their statement regarding the importance of continued moratoria on testing and a comprehensive test ban treaty at the NPT.
Argentina: "Special efforts should be made to finalise the comprehensive test ban treaty in 1995" ( Mr Di Tella, Representative of Argentina, 24 April 1995) (NPT/CONF.1995/SR.11)
Australia stated its expectations: "Negotiations on a CTBT are far advanced and are most likely to be concluded this year... We wish to see a permanent and truly comprehensive end to the testing of nuclear weapons through the conclusion this year of the CTBT negotiations in Geneva..." (Hon Gareth Evans, Minister for Foreign Affairs, 18 April, 1995)
Austria: "We expect rapid and substantial progress in the negotiations on a CTBT, and its early conclusion if possible in 1995 or 1996....We appeal to all nuclear powers to declare or maintain voluntary moratoria on nuclear weapons tests until the conclusion of a CTBT." (Ambassador Robert Marschik, Permanent Representative of Austria to the United Nations, 19 April 1995)
Belgium emphasised the importance of the moratorium in achieving a CTBT quickly: "Les moratoires sur les essais... temoignent en effet d'un nouvel etat d'esprit qui rend possible la conclusion d'un traite d'interdiction complet des essais nucleaires... Mon pays ne menagera aucun effort pour parvenir a la signature rapide d'un accord en ce sens." (Andre Mernier, Ministre Plenipotentiaire, Mission Permanente de la Belgique aupres des Nations Unies, 20 avril, 1995)
Canada: "[Canada] hoped that the nuclear-weapon states would refrain from testing during the [CTBT] negotiations. ( M. Ouellet, Minister of Foreign Affairs, 26 April 1995, NPT.CONF. 1995/SR.3)
Denmark stated: "The commitment shown by the United States with regard to banning nuclear weapons tests and the leading role taken by the U.S. in the negotiations of a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty is laudable... We have finally reached the stage of serious negotiations on a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty backed up by four moratoria on nuclear weapons testing. These negotiations must now be concluded."
Fiji stated: "An important, essential and long over-due first step... would be a voluntary and permanent cessation of all nuclear tests, no matter how small the device. In this regard, we take note of the progress being made in achieving a comprehensive test ban treaty (CTBT). At the same time, we feel very perturbed at the news reports that the current three-year moratorium on testing is likely to be discontinued by some States." (Ambassador Manasa Seniloli, Permament Representative of Fiji to the United Nations, 25 April 1995)
Finland said: "Progress is being made in the negotiations at Geneva. We would like to see the treaty ready by the end of this year." (H.E. Ms Tarja Halonen, Minister for Foreign Affiars, 19 April 1995)
Germany: "We urgently need a Comprehenisve Test Ban Treaty. Should the 1995 deadline not be feasible, in spite of encouraging progress, we must together press for it to be signed and sealed in 1996." (Dr Klaus Kinkel, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, 18 April 1995)
Ghana: "His delegation believed that, with a sincere commitment by all the parties to the disarmament objectives of the Non- Proliferation Treaty, the negotiations on a comprehenisve test- ban treaty could be concluded more quickly and it hoped that such a treaty could be condlued in the next few months with the cooperation of all parties concerned." (Mr Abdulai, April 24, 1995 NPT/CONF.1995/SR.10)
Ireland stated: "We welcome the quickening of the pace of negotiations at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. We want to see this work concluded in the near future... Public opinion in our countries will not understand or accept any impediment to the rapid conclusion of CTBT negotiations. Pending the conclusion of the CTBT, the moratoria on nuclear testing introduced by the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom and France will continue in force." (Tanaiste and Foreign Minister Dick Spring, 18 April 1995)
Italy stated: "[The CTBT negotiations] have made important progress recently... which we hope will be concluded shortly. In the meantime, we continue to welcome the moratorium on nuclear testing already decided on and implemented by most nuclear- weapons States."
Japan: "The continued suspension of nuclear tests by the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom and France is testimony of their commitment to the comprehensive ban on nuclear testing." (Mr Yohei Kono, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, April 18, 1995)
Malaysia: "Pending the conclusion of [a CTBT] the nuclear- weapon States which had instituted a moratorium on testing should maintain it and resist the temptation of resuming testing. Malaysia urged the nuclear-weapon State which did not as yet observe the moratorium to join in the voluntary restraint so as to create an atmosphere conducive to successful negotiations of that instrument." (Mr Agam, 26 April 1995, NPT/CONF.1995/SR.5)
New Zealand: "every effort must be made to conclude the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty this year....In discussing this key issue, I feel bound to express my concern that there is one nuclear-weapon state which continues to test, and another which is contemplating the resumption of testing....I call on both [China and France] not to do anything which would jeopardise the early conclusion of a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty." (Hon. Doug Graham, Minister of Disarmament and Arms Control, 20 April 1995) Speaking on behalf of the European Union at the opening of the NPT Conference , then Foreign Minister Alain Juppe called for a comprehensive test ban treaty to be concluded 'without delay'. However, during the NPT Review and Extension Conference France opposed calls for a timetable for nuclear disarmament, including conclusion of a CTBT this year.
Nigeria voiced concern: "Even the relative progress so far recorded in the Conference on Disarmament on a Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty is tentative and not irreversible." (H.E. Chief Tom Ikimi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, 18 April 1995)
Russia: "The Russian Federation was in favour of singing it [the CTBT] in 1995. It was continuing to adhere to its moratorium on nuclear tests, which had been repeatedly extended. (Minister of Foreign Affairs Kozyrev, 24 April 1995, NPT/CONF.1995/SR.11))
Slovakia: "His delegation supported the early drafting, conclusion and entry into froce of a treaty ending all nuclear explosions once and for all, without any exception and considered observance of the nuclear test-ban moratorium to be an important element in the preparation of that text." (Mr Shenk, 26 April, 1995, NPT/CONF.1995/SR.5)
Solomon Islands: "Eighty percent of our population use seawater to flavour their food... Our major industry and food source is fishing....If our seas are poisoned, gone is our most bountiful source of food and the salt which we use to flavour our food. Therefore we must be concerned about French testing in Moruroa and the very possibility of nuclear wars or explosions anywhere in the world. There is nothing short of the total and final elimination of all nuclear weapons for all time which will satisfy us that this nightmare will not one day happen.... the failure of the nuclear weapons states to agree even on a draft of a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty by the opening of this conference is deeply disturbing. It has given rise to concern that -- after this conference adjourns -- they may turn their backs on their obligation to ban all nuclear explosions for all times. Instead they might agree to what will really be a low- yield threshold treaty, allowing sizeable explosions, which would permit further development of nuclear weapons and would spur rather than inhibit proliferation. Nuclear weapons were tested on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Why are more tests needed? ... The parties should commit to prompt completion of a multilateral and truly comprehensive test ban treaty that bans all explosions for all time, without the loopholes sought by some nuclear weapon states." (Ambassador Rex Horoi, Permament Representative to the United Nations, 24 April 1995)
Sweden stated: "We urge all States... to ensure the early conclusion of a treaty. There are no longer any technical obstacles to verify a test ban treaty. What is needed now is political will. It is of vital importance to reach agreement on a treaty text before the end of this year. We appreciate the nuclear test moratorium presently upheld by all but one of the nuclear-weapon States. We expect this moratorium to continue until it can be replaced by an international treaty banning nuclear tests for ever." (Mr Jan Eliasson, Permanent Under- Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, April 20, 1995)
Switzerland: "Switzerland was disheartened by the lack of progress achieved to date [at the CTBT talks] and considered that the idea of providing exceptions to the general prohibition was incompatible with the spirit of Article VI. Whatever the motives and arrangements for such exceptions, it would leave lingering doubts over the will to ensure that nuclear tests would never again take place. (Mr Mayor, 20 April, 1995 NPT/CONF.1995/SR.7)
Uganda: "Recalling that the extension of the [Non-Proliferation] Treaty had been explicitly linked to progress towards the conclusion of a comprehenisve test-ban treaty, he called for the urgent conclusion of that treaty as a short-term goal." (Mr Kamunawire, April 25, 1995 NPT/CONF./.1995/SR.13)
U.N. Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali (Inaugral speech at the NPT Review and Extension Conference, 17 April 1995): "Progress is being made at the Conference on Disarmament toward a Comprehensve Test Ban Treaty. I urge the negotiating parties to take into account the desire of the international community for an early conclusion of the Treaty.... The most safe, sure and swift way to deal with the threat of nuclear arms is to do away with them in every regard. This should be our vision of the future. No more testing. No more production. No more sales or transfers. Reduction and destruction of all nuclear weapons and the means to make them should be humanity's great common cause."