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STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC FORUM,
THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON P J KEATING MP
LATEST TEST OF A NUCLEAR WEAPON BY CHINA
As current Chair of the South Pacific Forum, on behalf of my Forum colleagues I
condemn the latest test of a nuclear weapon by China.
China has once again shown disregard for international opposition to nuclear
testing by carrying out its second test since the indefinite extension of the Treaty
on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in May 1995.
China and other nuclear weapons states must come to terms with the imminent
ban on nuclear testing for all time. They must consider carefully the impact of
the changed global security situation on the role of nuclear weapons.
Forum leaders welcome the continuation by the United States of America,
Russia and the United Kingdom of their moratoriums on nuclear testing, as well
as the recent announcements by the USA and France of their commitment to a
truly comprehensive test ban treaty ( CTBT). These are a significant boost to
current negotiations for a CTBT. Forum leaders reiterate their strong support for
finalisation and signature of the Treaty in 1996.
We look to China and France to desist from further testing as the CTBT
negotiations enter this final, critical stage. The heads of government have noted
China's commitment to sign such a treaty. France has given a similar
commitment. The current nuclear testing programs of these two countries are
inconsistent with their commitment to exercise ' utmost restraint' on nuclear
testing pending the conclusion of a CTBT, and will sour the atmosphere of the
negotiations. Forum countries, along. with others, are considering a suitable resolution to be
put before the United Nations General Assembly to pressure China and France
to reconsider their testing programs. Additionally, Forum members will be
considering action in other international forums to make our opposition known
and to press the Chinese Government to stop testing.
Nuclear weapons have cast a great shadow over humanity in this past half
century. South Pacific Forum heads of government call on China to contribute to
world peace by eliminating the testing of nuclear weapons, thereby taking
another significant step on the journey to the eventual elimination of nuclear
weapons. CANBERRA 22 AUGUST 1995