SECURITY COUNCIL DEPLORES NUCLEAR TESTS CONDUCTED BY INDIA

14 May 1998

Press Release
SC/6517

SECURITY COUNCIL DEPLORES NUCLEAR TESTS CONDUCTED BY INDIA

19980514

In Presidential Statement, Urges India to Refrain from Further Tests

The Security Council this morning deplored the three underground nuclear tests conducted by India on 11 May and the two further tests conducted on 13 May despite overwhelming international concern and protests.

Through a statement read by its President, Njuguna M. Mahugu (Kenya), the Council urged India to refrain from any further tests. Such testing was contrary to the de facto moratorium on the test of nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices, and to global nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament efforts. It also expressed its concern at the effects of that development on regional peace and stability.

The Council affirmed the crucial importance of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), and appealed to India, and all other States which had not yet done so, to become parties to those instruments without delay and without conditions. India was also encouraged to participate in the proposed negotiations for a fissile material cut-off treaty in Geneva, with a view to reaching early agreement.

It underlined that the sources of tension in South Asia should only be resolved through dialogue and not by military build-up. It urged States to exercise maximum restraint, with a view to preventing an escalation in the arms race, in particular with regard to nuclear weapons and their delivery systems, and to preserving peace in the region. It reiterated that the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction constituted a threat to international peace and security.

The meeting, which was called to order at 12:25 p.m., was adjourned at 12:27 p.m.

Presidential Statement

The text of the presidential statement, which will be issued as document S/PRST/1998/12, reads as follows:

"The Security Council strongly deplores the three underground nuclear tests that India conducted on 11 May 1998, and the two further tests conducted

Security Council - 2 - Press Release SC/6517 3881st Meeting (PM) 14 May 1998

on 13 May 1998 despite overwhelming international concern and protests. The Council strongly urges India to refrain from any further tests. It is of the view that such testing is contrary to the de facto moratorium on the testing of nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices, and to global efforts towards nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament. The Council also expresses its concern at the effects of this development on peace and stability in the region.

"The Security Council affirms the crucial importance of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). The Council appeals to India, and all other States which have not yet done so, to become parties to the NPT, and to the CTBT without delay and without conditions. The Council also encourages India to participate, in a positive spirit, in the proposed negotiations with other States for a fissile material cut-off treaty in Geneva with a view to reaching early agreement.

"With a view to preventing an escalation in the arms race, in particular with regard to nuclear weapons and their delivery systems, and to preserving peace in the region, the Security Council urges States to exercise maximum restraint. The Council underlines that the sources of tension in South Asia should only be resolved through dialogue and not by military build-up.

"The Security Council reiterates the statement by its President on 31 January 1992 (S/23500) which stated, inter alia, that the proliferation of all weapons of mass destruction constitutes a threat to international peace and security."

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