Five Powers Remain Committed to NPTFive powers on Monday afternoon presented their 23-point statement to the current Review Conference of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT), saying that they remain "unequivocally committed to fulfilling all of our obligations under the Treaty."Hubert de la Fortelle, French ambassador on disarmament, presented the statement to the Conference on behalf of China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. "We remain unequivocally committed to fulfilling all of our obligations under the Treaty," said the statement, which described the Treaty as "the cornerstone of the international nuclear nonproliferation regime and the essential foundation for nuclear disarmament." "We welcome the decision on indefinite extension of the Treaty adopted in 1995 by its member States," the statement said. "We reaffirm our commitment to strengthening the review process of the Treaty and to the principles and objectives for nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament." "We reiterated the need for universal adherence to the NPT and call upon all States that have not yet done so to accede to the Treaty at an early date," the statement said. "The nuclear explosion carried out by India and Pakistan in May 1998 were a cause of deep international concern." "Notwithstanding their nuclear tests, India and Pakistan do not have the status of nuclear-weapon States in accordance with NPT," the statement said. "We stress that compliance with the NPT by all member States is essential to further the comprehensive goals of the Treaty," it said. "We reiterate our unequivocal commitment to the ultimate goals of a complete elimination of nuclear weapons and a treaty and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control," the statement said. Meanwhile, the statement said, "The contribution of the five nuclear-weapon States to systematic and progressive efforts to reduce nuclear weapons globally has been and will be highlighted by each of us nationally." "Emphasizing the essential importance of cooperation, demonstrating and advancing mutual trust among ourselves, and promoting greater international security and stability, we declare that none of our nuclear weapons are targeted at any State," the statement said. "Ratification of STAT II by the Russian Federation is an important step in the efforts to reduce strategic offensive weapons and is welcome," the statement said. "Completion of START II by the United States remains a priority." "We look forward to the conclusion of START III as soon as possible while preserving and strengthening the ABM (the Anti- ballistic Missile) Treaty as a cornerstone of strategic stability and as a basis for further reductions of strategic offensive weapons," the statement said. "We welcome the creation of two new nuclear-weapon free zones since 1995 as a significant contribution to the enhancement of regional and international peace and security: Southeast Asia and Africa," the statement said. "We stress the importance of international cooperation in order to maintain the highest practicable levels of nuclear safety, " the statement said. The Conference, which kicked off on April 24, entered its second week in general debate. It is scheduled to conclude on May 19 before setting the goal for the next five years in implementing the Treaty. |
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