DPR Korea Announced Nuclear Test

CTBT States Signatories Meet To Consider DPRK Announced Nuclear Test

Vienna, Austria, 26 May 2009

The Chairman of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), Ambassador Peter Shannon of Australia, convened a meeting of States Signatories of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) earlier today. The meeting was convened in connection with the announcement by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) that it had conducted an underground nuclear test on 25 May. Ambassador Shannon made the following observations after the meeting:

“At a meeting of States Signatories of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) on 26 May 2009, States Signatories conveyed a clear message of condemnation of the claimed nuclear test by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). Such a test would contravene United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718 and the norm enshrined in the CTBT.

States Signatories appreciated the quick response of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) and the demonstrated effectiveness of the International Monitoring System (IMS). States Signatories noted the progress in the development of the verification regime, in particular, the increase in the number of IMS monitoring facilities since 2006, when the DPRK first conducted a nuclear test.

The DPRK’s action underscored the importance of the Treaty’s early entry into force and the desirability of a robust verification regime.

States Signatories urged the DPRK to adhere to its international obligations and to sign and ratify the CTBT as soon as possible.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media