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Important advance for nuclear test ban
Launch of a North Korean missile in 2009
© picture alliance / dpa
Launch of a North Korean missile in 2009
Launch of a North Korean missile in 2009
© picture alliance / dpa
Indonesia’s Parliament has ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, an international convention to ban nuclear weapon tests. Foreign Minister Westerwelle welcomed the decision as a further advance that “will help pave the way for the Treaty to finally enter into force”.
According to Westerwelle, the approval of the Treaty by Indonesia’s Parliament shows that “all over the world the importance of nuclear disarmament and arms control is increasingly recognized.” He very much hoped other countries would soon follow Indonesia’s example, the German Foreign Minister added.
The Federal Government is campaigning for a universal ban on nuclear weapon tests. That is indeed the goal of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, commonly known by its English acronym CTBT. The CTBT prohibits nuclear test explosions of any kind and provides for a verification regime in this connection. It is therefore a key component of the whole nuclear disarmament and non‑proliferation system and a crucial complement to the Treaty on the Non‑Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
Further ratifications needed
US atomic bomb test in 1952
© picture-alliance / akg-images
US atomic bomb test in 1952
US atomic bomb test in 1952
© picture-alliance / akg-images
Germany acceded to the CTBT in 1998. In connection with Indonesia’s ratification of the CTBT, Foreign Minister Westerwelle emphasized that the German Government would continue to press the need for the Treaty to enter into force.
This has been held up because eight countries have failed to ratify to date. These are: China, Egypt, Iran, Israel and the United States as well as India, Pakistan and North Korea. The three latter countries have not even signed the CTBT.
The Vienna-based Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) has been established to implement the Treaty. Pending the Treaty’s entry into force, the Organization has the status of a so‑called Preparatory Commission. With annual funding in the order of seven million euro, the German Government is the third largest contributor to the CTBTO.
Last updated 06.12.2011