IAEA PR on Recent Nuclear Tests

[Mike Grissom <mikeg@SLAC.Stanford.EDU>]

Radsafers,

A second press release from the IAEA (unusually heavy press
release traffic from them) regarding the latest round of
nuclear tests (India and Pakistan):

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IAEA PRESS RELEASE
29 May 1998
PR 98/5

Statement by Mohamed ElBaradei, Director General
of the International Atomic Energy Agency

The Director General deeply regrets the recent nuclear tests
by India and Pakistan.

Such tests could lead to a dangerous nuclear arms race and
call into question the basic principles of
non-proliferation - developed over the last three decades
and reflected in the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) adhered
to by 186 States - namely to freeze the number of weapon
States and move towards nuclear disarmament.

The Director General expresses the hope that both States
will exercise the utmost restraint and commit themselves to
the course of action supported by the international
community: no nuclear tests; no additional weapon States;
and a concrete programme to reduce and ultimately eliminate
nuclear weapons with universal adherance to the
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and a treaty
prohibiting the production of nuclear material for weapon
purposes, as an indespensable and urgent first step.

The Director General firmly believes that global and
regional accomodation and détente rather than the
acquisition of nuclear weapons is the way to attain and
enhance peace and security.

The IAEA Board of Governors is to consider the matter at
its meeting commencing on 8 June.

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The above may be viewed on the Web at URL:

http://www.iaea.or.at/worldatom/inforesource/pressrelease/prn0598.html