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Downer push for nuke testing ban

THE Federal Government has vowed to push ahead for a worldwide ban on nuclear testing.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer this week chaired an international conference in New York to put pressure on countries with nuclear capability to ratify a treaty to rid the world of nuclear weapons testing.

He said near universal support existed for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), with 176 countries signing the treaty and 125 ratifying it.

But the treaty can not enter into force unless a group of 44 countries named in the treaty have all ratified.

Those countries have nuclear capability, nuclear power reactors or are doing nuclear research.

They include the United States, China, Pakistan, Israel, Iran, India and North Korea.

A total of 41 of those 44 nations have signed, but only 33 have ratified, including nuclear powers France, Britain and Russia.

"As president of the conference, I heard a very clear message from 117 participating countries, calling on states which have not already done so to sign and ratify the treaty as soon as possible," Mr. Downer said.

"It was clear that countries, including Australia, regard the CTBT as a vital contribution to disarmament and non-proliferation, because it constrains the development and qualitative improvement of nuclear weapons.

"There is no doubt that the treaty would greatly enhance international security."

He said the conference unanimously agreed to adopt a strong declaration in support of the treaty and a set of practical measures to encourage ratification.

"Australia's support for the CTBT is unwavering," Mr. Downer said.

"We will continue to work for its entry into force and a future free of nuclear weapons testing."