Vol. 529 No. 1
131 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has expressed concern to the Indian authorities over the recent testing of a long range intermediate ballistic missile, having regard to the implications for stability in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2255/01]
I have raised the issue of missile proliferation with the Indian Ambassador to Ireland and expressed the Government's concern at the recent testing of an intermediate range missile. This further step in the weaponization of nuclear weapons in south Asia presages the unleashing of a nuclear arms race in the region. Such a development militates against the prospects of achieving nuclear disarmament. These prospects have been recently enhanced on foot of the new agenda initiative and the new commitment to the total elimination of their nuclear weapons secured from the five nuclear weapon states by the new agenda states at the 2000 NPT review conference.
