Indonesia Promotes CTBT Universalization in SEAPFE Regions

By Azi Fitriyanti Jakarta (Antara) - Indonesia aims to promote the universalization of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) in the Southeast Asia, the Pacific and Far East (SEAPFE) regions. The efforts to promote CTBT universalization was initiated through a regional conference for nations in the SEAPFE regions in Jakarta, on May 19-20. "The promotion and efforts for achieving nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation is of paramount importance to Indonesia. We are trying to do what we can across all levels, such as the ASEAN, the states of the CTBT, and in the non-alignment movement, we are pushing for effective momentum to achieve universalization of the CTBT," stated Indonesia's Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa during his keynote speech at the opening event of the conference in Jakarta on Monday. Minister Marty underlined the two important issues of the CTBT universalization, such as momentum and building the trust among the global community. With regard to the issue of momentum, Marty explained that it is an abstract concept, but at the same time also has a political side for the government to make apparent efforts to work towards achieving the common goals of nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation. "Back in 2012, without any difficulties, Indonesia believed that by ratifying the CTBT, it could be part of the momentum in generating efforts. I do personally and sincerely believe that in the same way we can eliminate the vicious cycle of distrust and then move towards enforcing the CTBT on one another," reiterated Marty. On the trust issue, Marty emphasized that the CTBT universalization efforts required all countries to realize that the ratification of CTBT is not a merely a technical issue, but a serious security issue on how one tries to gain an understanding about its current and future state. "If we do not sense the urgency of this issue then there is a possibility of the political and security window shutting down, and we will find ourselves at the threshold of changing scenarios where technical constraints will quickly become political and security concerns," added Marty. (*)