The South African Government has noted, with concern and disappointment, the decision by the United States Senate not to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). It believes that this development undermines the gains already achieved by the international community in nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.
The South African Government had hoped that the United States Senate would achieve bipartisan consensus to enable the United States Government to ratify this Treaty and join the international community in reinforcing both the legal force and moral authority of the CTBT.
The South African Government urges the United States Senate to reconsider its view on ratification and how it could add to the "Principles and Objectives for Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation" adopted at the 1995 Review and Extension Conference of the Treaty for the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), thereby permitting progress in the quest to rid the world of weapons of mass destruction.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
Pretoria
14 OCTOBER 1999