Daily News
October 05, 1999 India will not participate in the UN Review Conference on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) beginning in Vienna tomorrow. It will discuss ways to facilitate the coming into force of the CTBT. According to the Foreign Secretary, Mr. K. Raghunath, India has not been invited to attend the Conference as it has not signed the treaty. Only those countries which have just signed it will be present as observers. But, India was informed by the United Nations that even those countries, who have not signed the treaty can be present. Out of 44 countries, India, Pakistan and North Korea have not ratified the treaty, which is mandatory for it to come into effect. An External Affairs Ministry spokesman has clarified that there is no change in India's stand on the CTBT that there should be a positive environment as New Delhi tries to get a consensus within the country for signing it. Answering queries on a statement on the CTBT by the National Security Advisor, Mr. Brajesh Mishra, the spokesman said that he only restated New Delhi 's position.
Afternoon Transmission