28 May 1998
TEXT: BRITAIN'S COOK CONDEMNS PAKISTAN NUCLEAR TESTS
("Increasingly urgent" that India, Pakistan adhere to NPT, CTBT) (360)
Luxembourg -- British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, in Luxembourg for
the NATO foreign ministers meeting May 28, condemned the Pakistani
nuclear tests which took place earlier in the day.
"It is increasingly urgent that both India and Pakistan adhere
unconditionally to the (Nuclear) non-proliferation Treaty and the
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and enter into negotiation on a global
treaty to stop the production of fissile material for nuclear
weapons," he said.
Following is the text of Cook's statement:
(Begin text)
NATO Statement by UK MFA Cook, Luxemburg, 28 May 1998
Foreign Ministers Meeting
Luxembourg
May 1998
STATEMENT
By UK Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook
We are dismayed by the nuclear tests which have been carried out by
Pakistan. We condemn this action which runs counter to the will
expressed by 149 signatories to the CTBT (Comprehensive Test Ban
Treaty) to cease nuclear testing, and the efforts to strengthen the
global non-proliferation regime. It accentuates our grave concern
about the increased risk of nuclear and missile proliferation in South
Asia, and of escalation tension in that region.
It is increasingly urgent that both India and Pakistan adhere
unconditionally to the non-proliferation Treaty and the Comprehensive
Test Ban Treaty and enter into negotiation on a global treaty to stop
the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons.
We urge Pakistan, along with India and other states in the region, to
refrain from further tests and the development of nuclear weapons or
ballistics missiles. We urge Pakistan and India to engage in a
dialogue which addresses the root causes of the tension between them,
and try to build confidence, rather than seek confrontation.
On behalf of the EU and the UK, the British High Commissioner in
Islamabad has been instructed to convey our strong protest immediately
to the Government of Pakistan. As EU Presidency, we will urgently
consult our European and other international partners on these
disturbing developments. I have asked the NATO Secretary General to
make clear the shared concern which all Alliance partners expressed on
hearing today's grave news.
(End text)
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