Last updated: 15:21 - October 5, 2006
Vietnam supports total disarmament, says representative to UN http://www.nhandan.com.vn/english/news/051006/domestic_vna.htm
Vietnam has consistently supported all initiatives and efforts aimed at consolidating commitments towards complete and total disarmament, which constitutes a solid guaranty for peace and security in the world, said Hoang Chi Trung, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations at the First Committee of the 61st Session of the UN General Assembly in New York on October 4.
Mr Trung expressed his concern over difficulties in the implementation of a nuclear test ban treaty and a programme of action to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, and said "the current state of disarmament affairs can only be rectified if genuine political will prevails and co-operative efforts to overcome existing difficulties and obstacles are renewed and redoubled."
Stating that weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, are a serious threat to human life, the Vietnamese representative highlighted the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
He underlined that assistance to non-nuclear-weapons states in peaceful use of nuclear energy was an important obligation under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which confirms the right of countries to access, without discrimination, to the research, production and use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes.
He also said Vietnam made a commitment to co-operate with the international community in eradicating nuclear weapons by signing and ratifying the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, and would continue to work hard with all other countries to enable the treaty to achieve universal adherence.
Agreeing that nuclear weapons free zones make significant contribution toward achieving the regional and international security, Vietnam is working closely with other ASEAN countries to ensure the Southeast Asia region free from nuclear weapons, he concluded. (VNA)
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