 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
Joint Statement by U.S. and China on South
Asia Nuclear Crisis
July 2, 1998
Introduction
Recent nuclear tests by India and Pakistan, and the resulting increase in
tension between them, are a source of deep and lasting concern to both of us.
Our shared interests in a peaceful and stable South Asia and in a strong global
nonproliferation regime have been put at risk by these tests, which we have
joined in condemning. We have agreed to continue to work closely together,
within the P-5, the Security Council and with others, to prevent an accelerating
nuclear and missile arms race in South Asia, strengthen international
nonproliferation efforts, and promote reconciliation and the peaceful resolution
of differences between India and Pakistan.
Preventing a Nuclear and Missile Race in South Asia
The P-5 Joint Communique of June 4, which was endorsed by UN Security Council
Resolution 1172, sets out clear and comprehensive objectives and a plan for
action to address the threat of South Asian nuclear and missile arms race. We
pledge our full support for the steps outlined in the Joint Communique, and
again call on India and Pakistan to stop all further nuclear tests and adhere
immediately and unconditionally to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
(CTBT), to refrain from weaponization or deployment of nuclear weapons and from
the testing or deployment of missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, and
to enter into firm commitments not to weaponize or deploy nuclear weapons or
missiles capable of delivering them.
Strengthening Global Nonproliferation Cooperation
The United States and China remain firmly committed to strong and effective
international cooperation on nuclear nonproliferation, with the Treaty on the
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as its cornerstone. We will continue
to bolster global nuclear nonproliferation efforts, and reiterate that our goal
is adherence of all countries, including India and Pakistan, to the NPT as it
stands, without any modification. States that do not adhere to the Treaty cannot
expect to be accorded the same benefits and international standing as are
accorded to NPT parties. Notwithstanding their recent nuclear tests, India and
Pakistan do not have the status of nuclear weapons states in accordance with the
NPT.
We reaffirm our determination to fulfill our commitments relating to nuclear
disarmament under Article VI of the NPT. To this end, both countries have signed
the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and do not intend to resume nuclear testing.
We call for the prompt initiation and conclusion of negotiations in the
Conference on Disarmament, on the basis of the 1995 agreed mandate, for a
multilateral treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear
weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. We urge India and Pakistan to
participate, in a positive spirit, in such negotiations with other states in the
Conference on Disarmament with a view to reaching early agreement.
We both actively support the Strengthened Safeguards System now being
implemented by the IAEA, and will promptly take steps to implement it in our
countries.
Reducing Tensions and Encouraging the Peaceful Resolution of Differences
between India and Pakistan.
We are committed to assist where possible India and Pakistan to resolve
peacefully the difficult and long-standing differences between them, including
the issue of Kashmir. We welcome the resumption of dialogue between the two
countries and encourage them to continue such dialogue, and we stand ready to
assist in the implementation of confidence-building measures between them, and
encourage the consideration of additional measures of this type.
Responsibilities of the United States and China
The United States and China have long sought friendly relations with both India
and Pakistan. We reaffirm this goal and our hope that we can jointly and
individually contribute to the achievement of a peaceful, prosperous, and secure
South Asia. As P-5 members, and as states with important relationships with the
countries of the region, we recognize our responsibility to contribute actively
to the maintenance of peace, stability and security in the region, and to do all
we can to address the root causes of tension.
We reaffirm that our respective policies are to prevent the export of
equipment, materials or technology that could in any way assist programs in
India or Pakistan for nuclear weapons or for ballistic missiles capable of
delivering such weapons, and that to this end, we will strengthen our national
export control systems.
Next Steps
Close coordination between the United States and China is essential to building
strong international support behind the goals to which we are committed in
response to nuclear testing by India and Pakistan. We will stay closely in touch
on this issue, and will work with other members of the P-5 and the Security
Council, with other Asian and Pacific countries, and with the broader
international community to forestall further instability in South Asia, achieve
a peaceful and mutually acceptable resolution of differences between India and
Pakistan, and strengthen the global nonproliferation regime.
This
material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin
Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of
International Studies and does not necessarily reflect the
opinions of and has not been independently verified by NTI or
its directors, officers, employees, agents. Copyright © 2007 by
MIIS.
