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NO. M79 Dates 1 May 1991 ?2

ZAMBIAN ACCESSION TO THE NPT WELCOMED

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Senator Gareth  Evans, today welcomed Zambia's accession to the Treaty on  the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

Senator Evans said Zambia's decision was a further step  towards the important goal of universal adherence to the  NPT.

"Zambia's accession provides further evidence that in the  wake of the Gulf War, States are taking action individually  and collectively to strengthen the international nuclear  non-proliferation regime, of which the NPT is the

cornerstone," Senator Evans said.

Accession to the NPT by a non-nuclear-weapon state involves  a binding international commitment not to develop or  otherwise acquire nuclear weapons or other nuclear  explosive devices, and allows International Atomic Energy  Agency inspection of all current or future nuclear

activities in that state.

Senator Evans said that the NPT was the most widely adhered  to arms control treaty in the world. He hoped that the  announcement by Zambia, following accession by Albania and  Mozambique last year, would prove an impetus for those few

countries which had yet to adhere to this crucial treaty.  Zambia is the 143rd State to accede to the NPT.

Australia would continue to urge NPT membership on the few  states still outside the Treaty.

"Now that another southern African state had joined the NPT  I look forward to all the remaining states in the region  doing likewise," Senator Evans said.

During his forthcoming visit to South Africa, Senator Evans  will again urge South Africa to join the Treaty.

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CANBERRA

COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY  MICAH

