CONCLUSION OF NUCLEAR TEST BAN TREATY NEGOTIATIONS

Issued by: Office of the President

The South African Government reaffirms its strong commitment to the achievement of a world free of all weapons of mass destruction.

I wish further to reiterate that, following the passage of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) text through multilateral negotiations, my Government intends to sign the Treaty at the earliest opportunity. The South African delegation to the Conference on disarmament will work actively to support the Chairman of the negotiating committee in his endeavour to resolve the difficulties which the Conference is presently considering with regard to the Treaty. South Africa urges all other countries to give their prompt support to the Treaty.

Our own country and its people would be heartened if other states showed maximum flexibility, accommodation and compromise in the consultations taking place to adopt the Treaty in the short time available before the commencement of the 51st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Issued by Office of the President 6 August 1996

Enquiries: Peter Swanepoel Department of Foreign Affairs (012) 351-0174