Statement by Foreign Minister Yohei Kono on the Refusal by the U.S. Senate to Ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)
October 14, 1999
- Despite the U.S. Administration's strenuous efforts, the U.S. Senate rejected the proposal to ratify the CTBT in its plenary session. Japan is concerned about the possible negative impacts that this rejection may have on world nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation in coming years. The situation should be deemed serious.
- On the occasion of the Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), Japan strove to ensure that this Conference would send a strong message to the international community for an early entry into force of the CTBT. Since Japan has expected U.S. leadership toward nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation throughout the world, this outcome is indeed regrettable. Japan strongly urges both the U.S. administration and the Senate to take necessary measures soon lest the CTBT, created by the international community with immense wisdom and energy, should lose its credibility and significance.
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