Statement by Ambassador Affonso
Celso de Ouro-Preto, Chairman
of theCTBTO PrepCom (Indian tests)

On 14 May 1998, the Chairman of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO PrepCom) convened an urgent meeting of the States signatories to the CTBT to discuss the five nuclear tests conducted by India on 11 and 13 May 1998. Reproduced below is the statement of the Chairman, Ambassador Affonso Celso de Ouro-Preto. "After extensive consultations with States Signatories of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), the Chairman of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization expresses deep concern and regret at the Indian decision to explode nuclear devices which was in defiance of a global trend towards banning nuclear testing. The Chairman after extensive consultation with States Signatories continues to call upon India to join without delay the Treaty, which can only be signed without conditions. The Chairman also based on the consultations which were held calls on all States for maximum restraint and to refrain from nuclear tests with the view to facilitate non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and nuclear disarmament. He further calls on all non-signatory States to join the CTBT. The Treaty has been signed by 149 States and ratified by 13, including two nuclear-weapon States, which shows the strong commitment of the international community to rid the world of any kind of nuclear explosive testing."

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