Bangkok, October 28, 1999 -- In the closing of her presentation at the ESCAP convened Intergovernmental Asia-Pacific Meeting to review the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action in Bangkok, Fiji Minister for Women, Lavenia Padarath urged all member-states present to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). To do so would ensure "genuine and nuclear disarmament," she emphasised.
"The signature and ratification of the CTBT, particularly from the Asia Pacific region, would be a testament of the region's support for nuclear disarmament," she said.
Urging ESCAP member-countries to focus on matters that threaten the very existence and lives of the peoples of the region, Padarath referred particularly to the shipment of radioactive materials, the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and the need to free the region from nuclear atmospheric and underground testing.
Presenting the 'Pacific Statement', issued after the sub-regional meet attended by 30 participants from the Pacific region in June 1999, the minister stressed the importance of addressing the issue of "the transportation of nuclear waste through Pacific waters, non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and..." - in a call to the colonial powers in the region -- the right to " ...self-determination of colonised people in the Pacific."
The Pacific nations have called on all countries to sign and ratify the CTBT in the name of "genuine and nuclear disarmament". The future of the Pacific people is inextricably linked to maintaining a safe and healthy environment, the statement emphasises.
Padarath reminded those present that the Pacific region is one part of the ESCAP region where a large number of nuclear tests take place.
"If these tests continue unchecked, the future of the Pacific region will be destroyed," she said.
Issues of women and the environment in the Beijing Platform for Action receives little attention, though environment issues affect women worldwide. Abuse of the environment has adverse effects on women in particular, she emphasised.
As the committee drafting the resolutions arising from the Intergovernmental meet brgins its exercise, it will be interesting to see whether the Pacific Statement will be taken into consideration. Fiji and Tonga are both on the committee.
The final draft of the resolutions will be presented at the ESCAP-organised press conference at the close of the meeting on 29 October.
* The Women's Media team for the High-level Intergovernmental Meeting to Review the Beijing Platform for Action in Asia and the Pacific is composed of Mavic Cabrera-Balleza, Lorna Israel, Isis International-Manila; Suchita Vemuri, Women's Features Service; Babita Basnet, Sancharika Samuha-Nepal ; Adelle Khan, Fiji Women's Crisis Centre; Ung Vanna, Khmer Women's Voice Centre; Lim Siu Ching, All Women's Action Society-Malaysia; Fatmawati Salapuddin, Bangsa Moro Women and Development Foundation-Philippines; Rina Jimenez-David, Philippines; Chitraporn Vanaspong, Thailand. The women's media team is supported by UNIFEM.
