Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum
4th Annual Meeting January 15-19, 1996
Cha-am, Phetchaburi Province Thailand
The Fourth Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum,
Recognizing that a world free of nuclear weapons would enhance international peace and security;
Recalling the commitment made by all Governments at the 1995 Review and Extension Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to exercise the utmost restraint on nuclear weapons testing:
Welcoming negotiations on a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty to be concluded as soon as possible and no later than 1996 and a convention on the prohibition of the production of weapons -use fissile materials;
Convinced That the conclusion of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty is the most effective method of bringing about an end to nuclear weapons testing and that it will contribute to the prevention of the proliferation of nuclear weapons in all its aspects, and to the process of nuclear disarmament, which will enhance international peace and security;
Noting the views of many countries in the Asia Pacific region that the cessation of nuclear weapons testing would be desirable for the early conclusion of negotiations on a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty;
Also convinced that among the most decisive measures to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons and the nuclear arms race is a total ban on nuclear weapons testing and nuclear weapons;
Noting that many countries in the Asia Pacific region have concerns about the potential negative effects of nuclear weapons testing on health and the environment of the peoples in the region;
Recalling the longstanding commitment of the South Pacific countries to a region free of nuclear weapons as represented by the establishment of the South Pacific Nuclear Weapons Free Zone and the unanimous resolution passed by the Permanent Commission of the South Pacific condemning nuclear weapons testing in the South Pacific;
Noting with satisfaction the successful conclusion of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone Treaty, and supporting its implementation consistent with internationally recognized high seas freedoms of navigation and overflight, and the rights of non-signatory nations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea;
Recognizing China having signed and ratified the Protocol of the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty;
Welcoming the announcement by the Governments of the United States, the United Kingdom and France of their intention to sing the Protocols to the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty in the first half of 1996;
Taking Note of calls for the negotiation by nuclear weapons states for an agreement on non-first use of nuclear weapons as well as an international legal instrument on non-use or threat of use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states or nuclear free zones;
Noting with Approval the promotion of concerted efforts and international concrete cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy;
Noting the unilateral nuclear testing moratoria currently being observed by certain nuclear weapon states and the commitment of other nuclear weapons states to an early conclusion of a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
Resolves to:
Encourage those states with current nuclear weapons testing programs to cease such testing as soon as possible;
Urge all participating countries of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum, and in particular all nuclear weapon states, to give their strong and unequivocal support to the conclusion as soon as possible and no later than the end of 1996 of a truly comprehensive and internationally verifiable nuclear test ban treaty as an essential step towards preventing nuclear weapon proliferation and attaining the ultimate goal of total elimination of nuclear weapons;
Recommend that all nuclear weapon states support the full implementation of the Treaties establishing the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone and the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone; consistent with the internationally recognized navigation and overflight rights of non-signatory countries under existing laws and the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea;
Call upon other regions to consider the wisdom of establishing such nuclear weapons free zones in their respective areas.
Source: http://www.appf.org.pe/meeting/four/res001.htm
28 February 2002
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