Global Security Newswire

The Indonesian House of Representatives could ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty next week after one legislative panel backed the pact on Wednesday, according to news reports (see GSN, May 5, 2010).

The Antara news agency reported that action could occur on Tuesday.

"The ratification of the treaty is expected not only to emphasize Indonesia's stance on the use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes but also to inspire other countries, especially nuclear-weapon states, to also ratify the treaty," said Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, vice chairman of House Commission 1, which deals with foreign policy and associated issues (Antara, Nov. 30).

The commission approved ratification legislation on Wednesday, the Jakarta Post reported.

Indonesia is one of 44 "Annex 2" states that must gain legislative approval for the global prohibition on nuclear test blasts before it can enter into force. It is also on the list of nine holdouts from the group that also includes China, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan and the United States (see GSN, Oct. 21).

Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa suggested Indonesian ratification of the test ban treaty could serve as a lever in the government's efforts to persuade the five nuclear powers to accede to the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty. The accord bans the manufacturing, storage, transfer or use of nuclear weapons in the region (see GSN, Nov. 16).

“Now the government can make use of the CTBT as a multilateral forum in order establish a nuclear-free area,” Natalegawa said on Wednesday (Jakarta Post, Dec. 1).