Namibia blasts North Korean nuke test

THE Namibian Government has called on North Korea and other countries not yet signatories to international treaties on nuclear weapons to ‘do so without further delay’.

South Korean and US troops went on higher alert yesterday after North Korea threatened to attack its southern neighbour and Washington said it would defend its ally. ‘With regard to the recent reported nuclear testing by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would like to state that Namibia has been consistent in condemning not only the use or testing of nuclear weapons, but also the production, stockpiling, development and transfer of such weapons,’ the Ministry said in a press statement Thursday. ‘We call on those countries that are not yet signatories to the international treaties to do so without further delay. We also call for a total nuclear disarmament without any discrimination. This would guarantee the safety and security of our planet from any devastating effects from nuclear weapons,’ the Ministry said, also hinting at the US government.Namibia is a state party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NNPT), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. The US government has to date not signed the NNPT. Namibia has also signed the African Nuclear Free Zone (Pelindaba) Treaty. ‘It is therefore a clear indication of Namibia’s commitment to the international principles and obligations under these treaties,’ according to the statement. ‘In this regard, Namibia supports the use of nuclear materials, science and technology for various peaceful purposes, especially in the context of social and economic development,’ the Foreign Ministry said.