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Japan welcomes US

call for nuclear test ban

TOKYO: Japan welcomed on Saturday Washington's call for a total ban on nuclear arms tests, saying that it corresponded with Tokyo's policy on testing.

"It has been Japan's policy to call for a total ban on nuclear tests ... (and we) wholeheartedly welcome the U.S. decision," Japan's Foreign Ministry spokesman said in a written statement.

The statement was released after President Bill Clinton's announcement on Friday seeking an end to all nuclear testing, a major shift cautiously supported by the Pentagon and one the president hoped could produce an international accord next year.

Japan said it hoped Clinton's statement would accelerate moves to reach an early agreement for a worldwide Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). The CTBT is due to be negotiated next year.

AUSTRALIA WARMLY HAILS

CANBERRA: Australia, embroiled in a bitter row with France over Paris' plan to resume nuclear testing in the Pacific, on Saturday hailed as a major policy breakthrough a U.S. call to ban all nuclear tests next year.

"I warmly welcome President Clinton's commitment to a zero threshold test ban treaty," Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans said.

Clinton on Friday called for a total ban on all nuclear testing as part of a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

"This is the second major nuclear policy breakthrough in a week and gives strong grounds for confidence that we will have a genuinely comprehensive test ban treaty in place next year," Evans said in a statement.

Evans was referring to France's announcement that it would end nuclear testing after it completes the testing of about eight nuclear weapons at Mururoa Atoll in French Polynesia, scheduled to begin next month.

On Thursday, France agreed in Geneva to sign a test ban treaty but said its decision to conduct the Muruora tests was "irrevocable".

Australians had reason to be pleased that progress was being made, Evans said.

"Australia has been actively and strongly lobbying on this issue and we are very pleased with the progress being made," he said.-Reuter