SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSES REGRET OVER ANNOUNCEMENT THAT INDIA CONDUCTED THREE UNDERGROUND NUCLEAR TESTS

Press Release
SG/SM/6555

SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSES REGRET OVER ANNOUNCEMENT THAT INDIA CONDUCTED THREE UNDERGROUND NUCLEAR TESTS

Following is a statement issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General has learned with deep regret of the announcement that India had conducted three underground nuclear tests on Monday. He wishes to note that, for quite some time now, there has been a de facto moratorium on nuclear testing. The moratorium and the successful conclusion of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) in September 1996 are seen by the international community as setting a norm with regard to nuclear non-proliferation. While noting that India is not a signatory to the CTBT, the Secretary-General is nevertheless concerned that the latest testing is inconsistent with the pattern which has been firmly endorsed by the international community. He calls on all States for maximum restraint with a view to facilitating nuclear non- proliferation and nuclear disarmament. The Secretary-General strongly supports accelerated measures of nuclear disarmament, cessation of all nuclear tests by all States and strengthening of the nuclear non-proliferation regime.

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