For Immediate Release
26 May 2009

 

Statement of the Pugwash Executive Committee
The DPRK Nuclear Test
26 May 2009

 

           

The Executive Committee of the Pugwash Council expresses  its concern that another nuclear test has been carried out after a lengthy moratorium.

The nuclear test by the DPRK comes at a time when a more positive atmosphere has developed  in recent months for making substantial progress on nuclear disarmament and  non-proliferation.  There is a  strong global trend towards the entry into force of the CTBT which has been reversed.

Looking forward to the 2010 NPT Review  Conference, Pugwash believes that dialogue at every level (multilateral and  bilateral) will be needed to sustain this momentum.  In Northeast  Asia, the need is clear for a resumption of the Six-Party Talks leading to a peace treaty between the conflicting  parties and the spelling out of adequate security guarantees for all the States  in the region.  

More broadly, concrete action is needed by the nuclear  weapons states toward substantial nuclear disarmament, while the non-nuclear  weapons states have a similarly important role to play in strengthening the  nuclear non-proliferation regime.  Without a concerted effort by the entire international community,  demonstrating that nuclear weapons do not increase the security of any country,  we run the risk that nuclear weapons may one day be used, with horrific consequences.

 

 

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More for more information, contact:

            Dr. Jeffrey Boutwell, Executive Director
            Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs
            1111 19^th St., NW, # 1200
            Washington, DC 20036
            Phone: 202-478-3440; email: pugwashdc@aol.com