INDEPENDENT NEWS

US biological weapons stand a serious setback

Published: Thu 26 Jul 2001 01:08 PM
26 July 2001
Media Statement
US biological weapons stand a serious setback
Disarmament and Arms Control Minister Matt Robson today described the United States' decision to walk away from talks to strengthen the Biological Weapons Convention as troubling and a serious setback to the control and eradication of biological weapons.
"The ban on biological weapons needs strengthening. We need systems in place that give the international community more confidence that countries are not hiding biological weapons programmes, says Matt Robson.
"But to strengthen the ban globally requires collective action, and this latest move by the US to walk away from collective action over a significant disarmament issue is troubling.
"After over six years of talks, negotiation had focused on a single text presented by the chairman, Tibor Toth of Hungary, which provided a strong basis for a Protocol to establish a workable verification regime.
"We are dismayed at the US decision to step away from the negotiation, citing national security and commercial confidentiality as reasons for rejecting the verification regime.
"The US decision is undoubtedly a major set-back to the control and eradication of biological weapons.
"New Zealand will be talking with like-minded nations to see if a way forward can be found and to urge the US to remain engaged in the process."
ENDS

Next in New Zealand politics

Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
By: New Zealand Government
Parliamentary Network Breached By The PRC
By: New Zealand Government
GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan
By: New Zealand Government
Tax Cuts Now Even More Irresponsible
By: New Zealand Labour Party
New Zealand Provides Further Humanitarian Support To Gaza And The West Bank
By: New Zealand Government
High Court Judge Appointed
By: New Zealand Government
View as: DESKTOP | MOBILE © Scoop Media