(98.06.02)林大使核実験ＣＤ特別本会議ｽﾃｰﾄﾒﾝﾄ

　 It is with profound regret that I asked for the floor today. Almost three weeks ago, I made a statement expressing the deep regret of the Government of Japan and the people of Japan to the tests conducted by India. Now I am obliged to do the same, but this time towards Pakistan. On May 28, the Chief Cabinet Secretary of my government made a statement concerning the recent nuclear tests by Pakistan.

　 "It is extremely deplorable that Pakistan conducted nuclear tests on 28 May despite sincere efforts by the international community including Japan, urging Pakistan to exercise restraint.

　 These tests were conducted in defiance of the efforts of the international community to achieve a world free from nuclear weapons and therefore can never be tolerated. Japan urges Pakistan to immediately cease nuclear testing and the development of nuclear weapons. It also reiterates its demand that India and Pakistan accede to the NPT and the CTBT and not commence a dangerous nuclear arms race.

　 The government of Japan has decided to take the following measures, taking into account the principles of its Official Development Assistance Charter:

1) Grant aid for new projects will be frozen, except in cases of emergency and humanitarian aid and Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects.

　 Japan is also determined to maintain strict control of the transfer to Pakistan of items and technologies related to weapons of mass destruction."

　 Following the Pakistan's further nuclear test on May 30th, the Chief Cabinet Secretary issued a statement whose main points read as follows:

　 "Japan regards most seriously the fact that Pakistan went ahead with the second testing despite strong criticism from Japan and other members of the international community of its nuclear testing on 28 May, and strongly protests these tests.

　 The repeated nuclear testing by Pakistan is the most dangerous action which heightens tensions in the region and threatens to undermine the foundations of the non-proliferation regime. Japan in no way can condone this action.

　 Japan strongly urges that Pakistan earnestly heed the voice of the international community which calls upon it to discontinue nuclear testing and the development of the nuclear weapons as well as to accede to the NPT and the CTBT."

　 Let me point out that the measures Japan has decided to take in response to the Pakistan's nuclear tests correspond with the measures taken in response to India's tests about three weeks ago.

　 We were particularly dismayed by the fact that the Pakistan's tests were conducted despite Japan's utmost efforts to convince Pakistan to exercise restraint for the cause of world peace and stability. Prime Minister Hashimoto sent his special envoy to Islamabad with a letter and directly called Prime Minister Sharif to request restraint.

　 Through these contacts, the government of Japan tried to send the Pakistani government a clear message concerning the implications of Pakistan's choices. It was with regret and pain that we learned Pakistan had made the wrong decision and that we had to impose the measures referred to earlier.

　 The international community is now facing a new and dangerous situation arising in South Asia as a result of the series of nuclear tests initiated by India and followed by Pakistan. The acts of provocation and retaliation that we have witnessed in three short weeks have undoubtedly weakened rather than strengthened the security of all states in the region and beyond.

　 The challenge with which the international community at large and the disarmament community in particular are confronted is the greatest since the nuclear non-proliferation regime was successfully instituted nearly 30 years ago.

　 Yes, the regime for which we worked so hard to create is now under strain. But our tasks remain to strengthen it by rolling back the adverse force unleashed by the recent acts of India and Pakistan. Let me emphasize that the number of States Parties to the NPT is edging towards 187 and these states are firmly behind the task of strengthening the regime. To them nuclear proliferation is simply unacceptable. But in order for this 187-nation contingent of peace to succeed, it is imperative for them to unite, particularly the five nuclear weapons States Parties who have special responsibilities under the Treaty, and they should neither be complacent nor take the NPT for granted.

　 How the 187 states respond to the challenge inherent in the nuclear non-proliferation regime itself will determine whether the Indian/Pakistani episodes develop into a real crisis or into a more consolidated nuclear non-proliferation regime.

　 It is with this awareness in mind that Japan calls upon both India and Pakistan to accede unconditionally and without delay to the NPT and to the CTBT, and to engage in negotiations to conclude a ban on the production of fissile materials.

　 At this critical juncture, I'd like to urge India and Pakistan to recognize their responsibilities as members of the international community and to reconsider their nuclear weapon programs for the sake of their people and for the people of the world.