G-8 calls on all states to sign, ratify Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
Secretary of State says there is 'no greater gift to future' than a test ban The Foreign Ministers of the eight major industrialized democracies (the G-8) and the Representative of the European Commission held a special meeting in London June 12 to consider the serious global challenge posed by the nuclear tests carried out by India and Pakistan. The G-8 statement strongly endorsed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty, underscoring earlier statements by the UN Security Council and a meeting of its Permanent Members, reaffirming the near-universal commitment to the CTBT. The G-8 Foreign Ministers Communique said of the CTBT and the need to end nuclear testing: “These tests have affected both countries’ relationships with each of us, worsened rather than improved their security environment, damaged their prospects of achieving their goals of sustainable economic development, and run contrary to global efforts towards nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament. ...		“With a view to halting the nuclear and missile arms race on the Sub-Continent, and taking note of the official statements of the Indian and Pakistani Governments that they wish to avoid such an arms race, we consider that India and Pakistan should immediately take the following steps, already endorsed by the United Nations Security Council: -- stop all further nuclear tests and adhere to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty immediately and unconditionally, thereby facilitating its early entry into force. ... “It is our firm view that the nuclear tests by India and Pakistan reinforce the importance of maintaining and strengthening the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as the cornerstone of the non-proliferation regime and as the essential foundation for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament. ... We call upon all states to sign and ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty rapidly to ensure its entry into force, and welcome the determination of the member governments of the G-8 that have not yet ratified the Treaty to do so at the earliest possible date.”

Regarding ratification of the CTBT by the United States, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright continued her efforts for Treaty ratification when she returned from London. At a commencement address in Minnesota the Secretary said, “Last year, the President submitted to the Senate a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty to ban nuclear explosive tests of any size, for any purpose, in any place, for all time. There could be no greater gift to the future.

Now, more than ever, India and Pakistan should sign that agreement. “And now, more than ever, the United States Senate should stop shilly-shallying around and approve it for America. Because if we want others to refrain from nuclear tests, and we do; others want us to promise the same; and we should. On this critical issue, at this perilous time, our leadership should be unambiguous, decisive and strong.”