RATIFICATION OF COMPREHENSIVE NUCLEAR TEST BAN TREATY

VATICAN CITY, JUL 19, 2001 (VIS) - Archbishop Renato R. Martino, apostolic nuncio and permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, deposited the Holy See's Instrument of Ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

The Treaty was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on September 10, 1996, and was signed by the Holy See on September 24 of the same year.

In presenting the Instrument of Ratification, Archbishop Martino reiterated the Holy See's firm conviction that "nuclear weapons are incompatible with the peace we seek for the 21st Century." He also expressed Vatican support for ending illicit traffic in small arms, and reaffirmed support for the Convention on the Total Elimination of Land Mines, the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Biological Weapons Treaty.

The apostolic nuncio repeated what was said when the Holy See signed the Treaty: "The Holy See is convinced that in the sphere of nuclear weapons, the banning of tests and of the further development of these weapons, disarmament and non-proliferation are closely linked and must be achieved as quickly as possible under effective international controls."

"The Holy See," he continued, "by this ratification, seeks to advance the genuine promotion of a culture of peace based upon the primacy of law and of respect for human life."

Archbishop Martino concluded emphasizing that "the Holy See encourages the whole International Community, which is aware of the various challenges standing in the way of nuclear disarmament, to intensify its efforts to ensure the implementation of the said Treaty."

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