STATEMENT BY MRS. HISAMI KUROKOCHI

AMBASSADOR OF JAPAN

TO THE CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT

Geneva, 1st August 1996

　

　

　 I already expressed on Monday, Japan's regret regarding the nuclear test conducted by China on that day. However, for the record of the Conference on Disarmament Plenary, I would now like to read the comment made by the spokesman of the Government of Japan, Chief Cabinet Secretary, Mr. Seiroku Kajiyama on July 29 :

　

"1. It is extremely regrettable that the People's Republic of China conducted another nuclear test today, despite the repeated requests of the international community, including Japan, for the cessation of nuclear testing, and in the midst of the energetic effort made for the completion of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) negotiations, which are now in the final stage at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.

　

2. China announced that it would observe a moratorium on nuclear testing effective from July 30. Japan earnestly hopes that China will make effort from a wider perspective for the early completion of the CTBT negotiations and for the promotion of nuclear disarmament aiming for a world free of nuclear weapons."

　

Mr. Chairman,

　

　 At this important juncture of the CTBT negotiations, allow me to reiterate Japan's position at the Plenary as well.

　 Japan has decided to accept the Chairman's text as it is, although it is not entirely satisfactory to Japan. In view of the limited time available for us, the Chairman's text seems to be the only proposal which enables us to have a treaty. Japan strongly appeals to other countries to accept this Chairman's text so that it can be opened for signature in September.