01/22 Geneva:Protesters Call for Immediate CTBT

[the.greenbase@green2.greenpeace.org]

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Original-TO:      World Press (Green2:Green2:Gnl:INET)
Original-Cc:      The Greenbase (Green2:Green2:Gnl:Main)
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                   GREENPEACE PRESS RELEASE
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>> GREENPEACE DEMONSTRATORS CALL FOR IMMEDIATE CTBT
    AS NEGOTIATIONS OPEN IN GENEVA
 
GENEVA, 22 January, 1996 (GP) Greenpeace activists held up
flags of the nuclear nations and banners along with a 5-meter-
tall mock nuclear bomb in front of the Palais de Nacion where
the United Nations Conference on Disarmament takes up
negotiations for a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) today. 
Some 50 people took part in the demonstration to demand and
end to nuclear testing and for UN delegates to agree a Test
Ban immediately.  
"The massive protests around the world against French and
Chinese nuclear testing show the public want a nuclear test
ban this year," said Greenpeace's Simon Carroll in Geneva. 
"We urge UN delegates to work diligently over the next six
months to ensure this treaty is agreed."
 
In all, the United States, Russia, France, Britain, China and
India have conducted 2,043 nuclear tests since 1945. France
and China are still testing nuclear weapons, and the threat
remains that other nations may resume nuclear tests.  There
are still over 20,000 nuclear weapons in the world today, with
new ones still being produced.
 
"Despite the end of the Cold, a nuclear arms race continues. 
The public remains concerned about nuclear weapons.  Daily we
read stories about nuclear proliferation and nuclear safety. 
A test ban treaty is needed now as next step towards nuclear
disarmament and curbing proliferation," said Carroll.
 
The number one priority for Greenpeace is to see a CTBT agreed
ready for signing in 1996.  Greenpeace said it will be
watching the negotiations closely and pushing to achieve a
zero-yield nuclear test ban treaty this year.
 
Greenpeace will hand out green Swiss Army knives to delegates
attending the CTBT negotiations during the week with the words
"NUCLEAR TESTING--CUT IT OUT" written on each.
 
Greenpeace Position on the CTBT
 
     - The CTBT needs to be ready for signing in 1996.
     - The CTBT must ban all nuclear explosions -- it must be  
       zero-yield treaty.
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Contact:
Josh Handler, Greenpeace International: +1202-319-2516
Simon Carroll, Greenpeace in Geneva: +41-22-734-3003
Andy Kuntz, Greenpeace Switzerland: +411-241-3441
Blair Palese, Greenpeace Communications: +44171-833-0600
 
Notes to Editors:
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The treaty is still preliminary.  There are four issues of
importance that need to be resolved:
 
1.  Preamble:  A commitment to nuclear disarmament and    
elimination of nuclear weapons must be contained in the
preamble. The nuclear weapons states are currently opposing
specific
references to nuclear disarmament in the preamble.
 
2.  Scope:  The treaty must ban nuclear explosions of any sort
for any purpose.  China and Russia have not formally committed
to a zero-yield treaty yet.  In addition, China is seeking to
exclude so-called "peaceful nuclear explosions" from the
treaty.  
3.  Verification:  needs to include a variety of methods,
including on-site inspection.
 
4.  Entry Into Force of the CTBT: no barriers to immediate
entry into force of the treaty should be permitted.


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