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MEDIA RELEASE:
MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS ALEXANDER DOWNER
FA168
15 November 2001
AUSTRALIA AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY MAINTAIN STRONG SUPPORT
FOR NUCLEAR-TEST-BAN TREATY
The terrible events of 11 September, and their aftermath, have
underlined the importance of renewed international commitment to
the cause of the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) is a central plank
of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime.
I therefore welcome this week’s affirmation in New York by
the Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the CTBT
of the international community’s strong commitment to the
Treaty. The Conference Declaration also supported the moratorium
on nuclear testing, pending entry into force of the CTBT, and called
on countries yet to sign and ratify the Treaty to do so as soon
as possible.
Australia played a significant role in the negotiation and acceptance
of the CTBT. In 1996, I led international action to bring the Treaty
to the United Nations General Assembly where it was adopted by an
overwhelming majority. I had planned to lead Australia’s delegation
to the Conference and attend the parallel verification seminar,
but was unable to do so due to the Australian election. Australia’s
Permanent Representative in New York, Mr John Dauth, led the delegation
in my absence.
The Conference, held on 11 to 13 November, welcomed good progress
in establishing the International Monitoring System (IMS), which
will verify states’ commitments to the Treaty. Australia is
playing a central role in establishing this system by hosting 20
IMS stations, the third largest number of stations of any Treaty
signatory. Australia presently has the largest number of IMS certified
stations.
Australia also co-sponsored with Canada, Sweden and VERTIC (the
Verification Research, Training and Information Centre, a London-based
international policy institute) a seminar on CTBT verification at
the UN on 12 November, to coincide with the CTBT Conference. The
seminar highlighted the strengths of the CTBT’s verification
system.
The CTBT now constitutes a powerful international standard against
further nuclear testing, with 161 signatures and 87 ratifications,
including, most recently, two regional countries, Singapore and
Nauru. But the Treaty must enter into force for its full benefit
to be realised. This requires all 44 countries with significant
civilian nuclear technology to ratify it. So far, 31 of these 44
have done so. Australia does not underestimate the obstacles to
be overcome to secure entry into force, but will work steadfastly
with other supporters of the CTBT until our goal is achieved.
Inquiries: Matt Francis (Ministerial) 02 6277 7500 or 0419 206
890
Nicole Guihot (Departmental) 02 6261 1555
777 UN Plaza - 6th Floor - New York, NY - 10017 - Ph: 212.682.1265 - Fax: 212.286.8211 - info@reachingcriticalwill.org
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