    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [March 22, 1996]
    [Page 489]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 489]]

    Joint Statement by France, the United Kingdom, and the United States on
    the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty
    March 22, 1996

        The governments of the French Republic, the United Kingdom of Great
    Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States of America will sign
    on Monday, March 25, 1996 the three additional protocols to the South
    Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty, which is also known as the Treaty of
    Rarotonga.
        Last year's NPT Review and Extension Conference agreed that
    internationally recognized nuclear weapon free zones, based on
    arrangements freely arrived at among the states of the region concerned,
    enhance international peace and security. The Conference also agreed
    that the cooperation of all the nuclear weapon states and their respect
    and support for the relevant protocols is necessary for the maximum
    effectiveness of such zones and the relevant protocols.
        Our decision to sign the protocols to the Treaty of Rarotonga
    demonstrates our clear support for a nuclear weapon free zone in the
    South Pacific.
        It is also an important further milestone in demonstrating our
    commitment to nuclear nonproliferation.
        It underlines our wish to see a permanent end to nuclear testing
    throughout the world. It will give a further boost to the negotiations
    for a comprehensive test ban treaty, which we believe should be
    completed in the first half of 1996.

    Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this statement.