Statement of the Ambassador of France Mr. Hubert de la Fortelle to the Conference on Disarmament 14/6/01

There is a French proverb that says, if I needed one it would be that one. Well sir, I think I have really put myself forward this morning. I wish to draw the delegations' attention to the speech made by the President of the Republic, Mr. Jacques Chirac, to the Institute of High Studies on the 8th of June this year. It really sets out the French thinking on security policy and how to have control over weapons and achieve disarmament. As for the work of the Conference the President said, and I quote re: translation,' I do not disguise my concern when I see the stalemate that has been going on for several years in the work of the Conference on Disarmament. Negotiating a treaty to prohibit the production of fissile materials that was decided on in 1995 has still not begun and the entry into force of the treaty on a full and complete ban on nuclear testing has not yet been ratified.'

We can see this on the internet site both in French and in English translation.