(96.06.26)池田外相（ＣＤ関係者招待レセプション）

　 It is a great pleasure to have this opportunity to speak to all of you, the representatives to the Conference on Disarmament here in Geneva. I am particularly grateful for your presence here despite your busy schedules during the last week of the second session of the Conference on Disarmament as the CTBT negotiations are in their final stage.

　 In the post Cold-War world, it is incumbent upon the international community to work cooperatively to build up realistic measures for nuclear disarmament on a step-by-step basis in the quest for a world free of nuclear weapons, and we have before us a historic opportunity to do so.

　 It was with this recognition, I believe, that the Review and Extension Conference of the NPT held in May last year decided on the indefinite extension of the NPT and adopted "The Principles and Objectives" which pointed to the future nuclear disarmament. Furthermore, in December 1995, the United Nations General Assembly adopted by consensus a resolution urging the countries concerned to expedite the CTBT negotiations so that it would be ready for signature by the outset of the General Assembly in September this year. Japan, for its part, has been making every effort toward the completion of the CTBT negotiations this month and the signature in September of this year.

　 However, at this moment, with only three days counting today remaining before the closing of this session which is the deadline of the completion of the negotiations, several issues still remain unsettled despite the earnest efforts of all the participating countries. It could be said that it is precisely because the treaty is so important that the task of bringing the negotiations to conclusion is so difficult. We should bear in mind, however, that we cannot let the existing momentum for completing the negotiations slip through our fingers. Should we fail to take advantage of this opportunity, not only will it render extremely difficult the conclusion of the negotiations and signing of the treaty by the end of this year, but it will also spell a major setback in our stride toward nuclear disarmament.

　 It would not be an exaggeration to say that the outcome of these negotiations is attracting the attention of not only the 61 participating countries but of all the members of the global community.

　 Recognizing the significance of the CTBT as yet another major step toward nuclear disarmament following the indefinite extension of the NPT May last year, one can never overemphasize the importance of concluding the negotiations by the end of this session.

　 Moreover, in addition to the significance of the completion of the negotiation and the signing, may I underscore the obvious : for the CTBT to be meaningful, it needs to enter into force. Once signed, the treaty's entry into force should be achieved as early as possible. Japan attaches great importance to this point.

　 I should like to take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation to Ambassador Ramaker, Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Committee, for his enduring efforts to bring these complex negotiations to a successful conclusion. I believe that what is most-required at this critical stage is the constructive and flexible attitude of all the negotiating countries toward the Chairman's proposal made the day before yesterday. I firmly believe that despite the fact that only three days remain, it is quite possible to reach an agreement before the end of this session. We must mobilize all the talent and wisdom for the negotiation; we must recognize the historic significance of the CTBT, being aware of the implication of our deeds today on the future of the entire nuclear disarmament; and we must renew our determination to bring the negotiations to conclusion by the end of this session. You can be sure that Japan will be at the forefront of such effort, doing its utmost to achieve this goal.