BOMB-BAN MEETING

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30288, 14 November 1963, Page 17

BOMB-BAN MEETING

U.N. CaU By Africans (N.Z.P.A.-Reuter— Copyright) NEW YORK, Nov. 12. Thirteen African nations today called on the United Nations for urgent measures towards the signing by all States of a convention banning the use of nuclear and thermonuclear weapons. The draft resolution was tabled in the Main Political Committee, which is discussing various disarmament problems, by Algeria, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan, Tanganyika and the United Arab Republic. It would have the General Assembly request the 18nation Disarmament Committee, which is expected to convene in Geneva early next year, "to study urgently the question of convening a conference for the purpose of signing a convention on the prohibition of the use of nuclear and thermonuclear weapons." The committee would be asked to report back to the 1964 General Assembly session. The Assembly, in a resolution two years ago, decided to ask member governments for their views on convening such a conference. Of the 62 nations which replied. 31 were in favour of the proposal, 26 gave negative or doubtful replies. Some others were in favour of awaiting the outcome of the Geneva disarmament talks.