NEWS RELEASES
AXWORTHY EXPRESSES CANADA'S DISAPPOINTMENTWITH INDIA'S POSITION ON THE CTBT
August 15, 1996 No. 141
AXWORTHY EXPRESSES CANADA'S DISAPPOINTMENT
WITH INDIA'S POSITION ON THE CTBT
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today expressed regret that India has
decided to block final agreement on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)
negotiations now taking place at the Conference on Disarmament (CD) in Geneva.
"We are deeply disappointed that India has decided to block the treaty in the CD.
Although Canada wanted more reference to disarmament and a treaty that would enter
into force quickly, we believe it is the best compromise that could be achieved.
This treaty will bring the permanent end to nuclear testing that the world has
been seeking for 40 years."
India objects to the current text and has insisted that it will not sign the
treaty as it currently stands. Recently, however, India has taken the additional
step of blocking consensus in the CD, and in doing so has prevented the treaty
from being forwarded to the United Nations General Assembly for formal approval.
"Canada has a long-standing commitment to nuclear disarmament," said Mr.
Axworthy. "Further progress on this issue starts with the CTBT, and we will
continue to devote every effort to see it through to a successful conclusion."
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Catherine Lappe
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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