STATEMENT BY H.E. MR. YOSHITOMO TANAKA,

AMBASSADOR OF JAPAN TO THE CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT

29th July 1993

Geneva

　

Mr. President,

　

　 Since my delegation is taking the floor for the first time under your presidency, let me, at the outset, congratulate you on your assumption of the presidency of the Conference on Disarmament and assure you of our full cooperation.

　

Mr. President,

　

　 Japan regards the nuclear test ban issue as one of the major priorities of nuclear disarmament.

　

　 Therefore, I feel much honoured to be chairing the Ad Hoc Committee on a Nuclear Test Ban, and pleased with the progress the Committee is making, thanks to the active cooperation rendered by the delegations.

　

　 I have taken the floor today to register Japan's appreciation of the decision made by President Clinton of the United States of America to extend its moratorium on nuclear testing at least through September of next year, as long as no other nation tests.

　

　 The Japanese Government has already announced that it welcomes the U.S. decision, which contributes to strengthening the international trend toward a comprehensive test ban, and has stated that Japan strongly expects that all other nuclear weapon states will also exercise self-restraint in nuclear testing.

　

　 In this context, we welcome the decision by France and the Russian Federation to renew their commitments to the moratoria and their support for a CTB. Indeed we appreciate various initiatives which led to the extended moratoria of today, and would welcome any further positive decisions to be made by other nuclear weapon states.

　

Mr. President,

　

As it is Japan's long-standing objective to achieve a comprehensive test ban, the Japanese delegation which is currently in the chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on a Nuclear Test Ban is prepared to make every effort, with the cooperation of our colleagues here, for the Conference on Disarmament to make a timely and important contribution to the accomplishment of a comprehensive test ban.

　

　 For the purpose of facilitating this process, Japan is planning to host a workshop on NTB verification towards March 1994.

　

　 Furthermore, I, speaking in my national capacity, should like to propose that the Conference on Disarmament should now consider giving a negotiating mandate to the Ad Hoc Committee on a Nuclear Test Ban in a timely manner.

　

　 Thank you, Mr. President.