MaximsNewsNetwork: HILLARY CLINTON: NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION CTBT @ UN

MaximsNewsNetwork: 24 September 2009 - UNTV - United Nations: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton tells a high-level gathering to facilitate the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) that "we're happy to be back working with you". She vowed to work towards US ratification of the treaty, which was signed by former US President Bill Clinton thirteen years ago today.

A ministerial conference at UN headquarters in New York today (24 September) pressed nine countries which have yet to ratify the global pact outlawing all nuclear explosions worldwide to do so.
At the opening of a two-day conference to promote the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), Academy Award-winning actor and United Nations Messenger of Peace Michael Douglas called on leaders who have begun speaking out in favor of a world free of nuclear weapons to rally together to make these aspirations a reality.

The conference, co-chaired by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and Moroccan Foreign Minister Taieb Fassi-Fihri, proceeded to adopt a declaration urging the remaining states to ratify the nuclear test ban treaty, which the UN Secretary-General has characterized as the fundamental building block for ridding the world of nuclear weapons.
To date, CTBT has 181 signatories and the number of ratifications has reached 150, thanks to yesterdays action by Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Speaking to reporters after the opening of the conference, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noted that to enter into force, ratifications by nine countries are needed: China, Egypt, Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK), India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Pakistan and the United States.
Conference co-chair Taieb Fassi-Fihri said that he was very satisfied with developments over the last two years, and that work would continue to convince countries to join the CTBT.
Todays event, the sixth such conference to facilitate the CTBTs entry into force, marked the first time in a decade that the United States has participated.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told foreign ministers gathered at the meeting that her country believed the CTBT was an integral part of the non-proliferation and arms control agenda, and that President Barack Obama would work to seek the advice and consent of the United States Senate to ratify the treaty, though she acknowledged this would not be easy. He would also work to secure ratification by others.
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• Hillary Clinton
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• Michael Douglas
• Bernard Kouchner
• Taieb Fassi-Fihri