

MEDIA RELEASE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS ALEXANDER DOWNER FA97            28  July  2005





AUSTRALIA JOINS OTHER NATIONS IN SEEKING STRONGER ACTION TO  PREVENT NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION

I joined this week (26 July) with the Foreign Ministers of Chile, Indonesia, Norway,  Romania, South Africa and the United Kingdom in issuing a joint declaration on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.

The proliferation of nuclear weapons, including potentially to terrorists, is one of the most  pressing global issues that world leaders must address at the high-level UN summit in  September, particularly after the failure of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)  Review Conference to reach agreement in May 2005.

The declaration calls for universal adherence to the NPT, decisive action in cases of non-compliance with it, firm consequences for states that attempt to withdraw from it, and  stronger verification controls for the International Atomic Energy Agency.  It also calls for a  permanent end to nuclear testing and production of fissile material for nuclear weapons, and  recommends strict controls on access to nuclear materials worldwide.

Tuesday’s declaration demonstrates the common resolve of a diverse range of countries to  confront nuclear threats in a decisive manner.  We hope that our initiative will stimulate a  strong outcome on nuclear non-proliferation at the UN summit.



Media inquiries:  Chris Kenny (Ministerial)  0419 206 890        Nicole Guihot (Departmental) 02 6261 1555







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