Test ban now more urgent, says Mr Kirk

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33540, 22 May 1974, Page 1

Test ban now more urgent, says Mr Kirk

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 21.

The underground nuclear explosion in India raised even more urgently the need for an international agreement to end all nuclear testing, the Prime Minister (Mr Kirk) said today.

He was commenting on the test last Saturday by the Indian Atomic Energy Commission.

Mr Kirk said that New Zealand could understand India’s desire for the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and respected the scientific and technological resources which had enabled India to develop a nuclear-energy programme.

He noted reports that the Indian Prime Minister (Mrs Gandhi) had said that the explosion was for peaceful purposes, and that India remained strongly opposed to the manufacture <jf nuclear weapons. “I know from my discussions with Mrs Gandhi that she believes very firmly in this, as we do in New Zealand, and I am glad that she has reiterated this,” said Mr Kirk.

Letter sent “Nonetheless, the test explosion raises several points of concern to New Zealand. I have written to Mrs Gandhi to raise these with her.

“Such an action, however ca. "ully defined its purpose, runs counter to the nonproliferation treaty, and can only encourage other countries with similar capabilities. “The more such explosions by countries outside the regime and safeguards devised by the international community, the greater the risk that some will be for weapons purposes. “Each test will move us further from the aims of the non-proliferation treaty, which remains vitally important to the control of nuclear weapons. The world will not be made safer by more nuclear explosions.”

India’s friends must also be concerned that the test explosions should not impair pr >si ects for a genuine reconciliation on the subcontinent, said Mr Kirk. These prospects were more promising than they had been for many years.

Formal commitment

He had therefore asked Mrs Gandhi that her Government consider making a formal commitment not to manufacture nuclear weapons, pending the achievement of a comprehensive test-ban treaty.

Mr Kirk said such a commitment would allay misgivings that were bound to be widely felt, and would give a clear lead to other nations in a similar position. “India has in the past helped point the way on issues of global concern, especially disarmament, and I know that it is within India’s traditions to do so again,” Mr Kirk said.