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01 June 1998

TEXT: IAEA 'DEEPLY REGRETS' INDIAN, PAKISTANI NUCLEAR TESTS

(Urges both countries to show "utmost restraint") (330)
Washington -- The director general of the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA), Mohamed ElBaradei, released a statement May 29 saying
he "deeply regrets the recent nuclear tests by India and Pakistan" and
urging them to exercise "the utmost restraint" and adhere to the basic
principles of non-proliferation.
ElBaradei also said he "firmly believes that global and regional
accommodation and detente rather than the acquisition of nuclear
weapons is the way to attain and enhance peace and security."
The IAEA Board of Governors will consider the matter at its June 8
meeting. IAEA is a specialized agency within the United Nations
system.
Following is the text of the announcement.
(Begin text)
IAEA PRESS RELEASE
29 May 1998
STATEMENT BY MOHAMED ELBARADEI, DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL
ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY
The Director General deeply regrets the recent nuclear tests by India
and Pakistan.
Such tests could lead to a dangerous nuclear arms race and call into
question the basic principles of non-proliferation -- developed over
the last three decades and reflected in the Non-Proliferation Treaty
(NPT) adhered to by 186 States -- namely, to freeze the number of
weapon States and move towards nuclear disarmament.
The Director General expresses the hope that both States will exercise
the utmost restraint and commit themselves to the course of action
supported by the international community: no nuclear tests; no
additional weapon States; and a concrete program to reduce and
ultimately eliminate nuclear weapons with universal adherence to the
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and a treaty prohibiting the
production of nuclear material for weapon purposes, as an
indispensable and urgent first step.
The Director General firmly believes that global and regional
accommodation and detente rather than the acquisition of nuclear
weapons is the way to attain and enhance peace and security.
The IAEA Board of Governors is to consider the matter at its meeting
commencing on 8 June.
(End text)