SECURITY COUNCIL DEPLORES NUCLEAR TESTS CONDUCTED BY PAKISTAN

Press Release
SC/6524

SECURITY COUNCIL DEPLORES NUCLEAR TESTS CONDUCTED BY PAKISTAN

The Security Council this morning strongly deplored the underground nuclear tests conducted by Pakistan on 28 May despite overwhelming international concerns and protests.

Through a statement read by its President, Njuguna M. Mahugu (Kenya), the Council reaffirmed its 14 May presidential statement (S/PRST/1998/12) on the Indian nuclear tests of 11 and 13 May, and strongly urged India and Pakistan to refrain from any further tests. Such testing was 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. 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 Pakistan, and all other States which had not yet done so, to become parties to those instruments without delay and without conditions. India and Pakistan were also encouraged to participate in the proposed negotiations for a fissile material cut-off treaty in Geneva, with a view to reaching early agreement. In addition, the Council called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to take immediate steps to reduce and remove tensions between them.

Further by the statement, the Council reaffirmed that the sources of tension in South Asia should be reduced and eliminated only through dialogue and not by the use of force or other military means. It urged India and Pakistan to resume the dialogue between them on all outstanding issues, especially matters concerning peace and security, in order to remove the tensions between them and to enhance their economic and political cooperation. The Council called upon India and Pakistan to avoid any steps or statements that could lead to further instability or impede their bilateral dialogue.

The meeting, which was called to order at 11:30 a.m., was adjourned at 11:35 a.m.

Security Council - 2 - Press Release SC/6524 3888th Meeting (AM) 29 May 1998

Presidential Statement

The text of the presidential statement, which will be issued as document S/PRST/1998/17, reads as follows:

"The Security Council strongly deplores the underground nuclear tests that Pakistan conducted on 28 May 1998, despite overwhelming international concern and calls for restraint. Reaffirming its 14 May presidential statement (S/PRST/1998/12), on the Indian nuclear tests of 11 and 13 May, the Security Council strongly urges India and Pakistan to refrain from any further tests. It is of the view that testing by India and then by Pakistan 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 reaffirms the crucial importance of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation on Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). The Council appeals to India and Pakistan, 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 and Pakistan 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.

"The Security Council calls upon all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to take immediate steps to reduce and remove tensions between them. The Council reaffirms that the sources of tension in South Asia should be reduced and eliminated only through peaceful dialogue and not by the use of force or other military means.

"The Security Council urges India and Pakistan to resume the dialogue between them on all outstanding issues, including all those that the parties have already discussed, especially matters concerning peace and security, in order to remove the tensions between them and to enhance their economic and political cooperation. The Council calls upon India and Pakistan to avoid any steps or statements that could lead to further instability or impede their bilateral dialogue.

"The Security Council will remain seized of the matter."

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