Mr. Chairman,

It is my great pleasure to speak on behalf of the Vietnamese Delegation at this important conference. I wish to thank the State Parties to the Treaty for their initiative to convene this conference with a view to facilitating the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

Mr. Chairman,

Vietnam fully supports the objectives and purposes of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty, which promotes both nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation. The CTBT, even if it leaves much to be desired, remains an important measure to preserve world peace and security as it prevents the development of more advanced and more lethal types of nuclear weapons.

We are happy to note that there has been a steady increase in the number of signatory and ratifying states, that no nuclear explosion has been carried out by the Nuclear Weapon States since the Treaty was concluded, and a moratorium on nuclear tests observed. The Treaty, however, has not entered into force to become a solid legal instrument that would prevent nuclear explosions on a permanent basis. We support the commitments and concerted efforts of the international community towards achieving a universal adherence to the Treaty at an early date.

Vietnam commends the work of the PrepCom for the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) in garnering the support for the Treaty, and for the establishment of the verification regime to monitor the implementation of the Treaty. Consistent efforts are being made to build a worldwide monitoring system which will surely strengthen the effectiveness of the Treaty when it enters into force.

Mr. Chairman,

The entry into force of the CTBT depends on the ratification by the States listed in Annex 22. We share the foreboding of the international community that the delay of the entry into force of this Treaty may deepen the risk that nuclear testing would resume, thus triggering a new and more costly nuclear arms race. Under these circumstances, my delegation shares the concerns of various delegations over the changing positions by certain Nuclear Weapon States regarding the CTBT and sincerely hope that they will seriously reconsider it. In the same vein, we join all others to call on those Nuclear Weapon States, which have not ratified the Treaty to do so without any further delay.

Mr. Chairman,

On 12 September 1996 our Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cam represented Vietnam to sign the Treaty when it was open for signature at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Necessary steps are now being taken to fulfill the national requirements so that it will be ratified soon. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with several government agencies has recently organized a national workshop in Hanoi to promote further understanding of the provisions and objectives of the Treaty as well as of its necessary early ratification. In this connection, my delegation wishes to express the deep appreciation for the assistance provided by the Secretariat of the PrepCom of the CTBTO without which the workshop would not have been such a success.

In concluding, Mr. Chairman, my delegation wishes to reiterate that Vietnam supports all efforts and initiatives to work for a world free from all weapons of mass destruction, nuclear weapons in particular. In line with this principle, Vietnam will continue to work hard with all other countries to enable the CTBT to achieve universal adherence and thus making further contributions to strengthening world peace and security.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman.
 
 

Sources

• http://www.un.org/webcast/ctbt/statements/vietnamE.htm