UN chief calls for treaty ratification

cctv.com 09-23-2005 16:35

UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, has urged eleven countries to ratify a nuclear test ban treaty, initiated almost a decade ago. Annan made his latest appeal on day two of a UN conference in New York on Thursday.

Delegates from France, Russia and New Zealand echoed the Secretary-General's request to the countries who have not yet signed up to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. It can only take effect after ratification by all the 44 countries that possess nuclear research and power reactors. So far, only 33 countries out of the 44 have ratified the treaty. The Chinese representative at the conference hinted that Beijing would soon add its signature. The treaty's implementation will be put to delegates on Friday.

Editor:Chen Zhuo  Source:CCTV.com