MEDIA RELEASE

MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
ALEXANDER DOWNER

FA100

24 July 1998

Malaysia Signs Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty

I warmly welcome the signature by Malaysia on 23 July of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).

Malaysia's signature of the CTBT reflects the importance countries place on the security benefits provided by the Treaty, particularly in light of the challenges to the global nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regime posed by the recent nuclear tests conducted by India and Pakistan.

Malaysia's signature of the CTBT brings the number of countries which have signed that Treaty to 150. Of those signatories, 16 countries have ratified the Treaty, including Australia, which ratified on 9 July 1998.

I encourage other countries, particularly those in our region, to sign and ratify the CTBT as soon as possible so that the powerful international norm against testing which the Treaty represents is made as strong as possible.

Australia is also working hard at building up the institutional fabric of the Treaty at its headquarters in Vienna, including through development of the global verification regime and the establishment or upgrade of key monitoring facilities on Australian territory.

KUALA LUMPUR

For further information: 

Innes Willox: 04 1920 6890
Tony Melville (02) 6261 1555