Issued by: The Minister of Foreign Affairs
SOUTH AFRICA CONDEMNS FRANCE'S THIRD NUCLEAR WEAPONS TEST
The South African Government expressed its strong opposition to the nuclear test explosion which was conducted by the Government of France on the Mururoa Atoll on 5 September 1995, and the subsequent test explosion on the Fangataufa Atoll on 2 October 1995.
Despite repeated international calls on the French Government to cease its nuclear weapons test programme, a further nuclear test was nevertheless again carried out by France late on 27 October 1995 on the Mururoa Atoll. This third test has caused the South African Government considerable alarm, particularly as it follows the recent decision and announcement by France to sign the relevant Protocols to the Treaty of Rarotonga, which aims to establish the South Pacific as a nuclear weapon-free-zone.
South Africa shares international concern over the continued testing of nuclear weapons, and once again strongly urges France to terminate its nuclear testing programme. We call on the Government of France to abandon plans for any future nuclear tests and to join in a global moratorium on the testing of nuclear weapons without further delay. In addition South Africa wishes to express its appreciation to those nuclear-weapon states which have maintained their commitment to their moratoria.
The South African Government is of the view that the cessation of all nuclear testing will provide a favourable climate for the negotiations at the Conference on Disarmament to conclude a Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) no later than 1996. The conclusion of a CTBT forms an integral part of the agreement on "Principles and Objectives for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament", which was adopted by consensus at the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review and Extension Conference during April/May of this year. South Africa believes that the cessation of nuclear testing by France would serve to further illustrate France's stated commitmet to the conclusion of a CTBT to the international community.
As South Africa opposes the testing of nuclear weapons on the basis of principle, our representatives participating in the fiftieth Session of the United Nations General Assembly will continue working with other members of the United Nations towards the adoption of a resolution on nuclear testing.
ISSUED BY THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRETORIA 3 NOVEMBER 1995