/ 30 March 1999

SA RATIFIES NUKE TEST BAN

SOUTH Africa has ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty. In a statement on Tuesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said South Africa deposited its instrument of ratification of the treaty with the United Nations secretary general on Tuesday. This follows the country’s signature of the treaty on September 24 1996, and approval by Parliament of the ratification earlier this month. South Africa was centrally involved in negotiations that led to the treaty and Foreign Affairs Director General Jackie Selebi chaired the preparatory commission of the treaty organisation.