Lauding Indonesia as a "strong example of the positive leadership role" in the global effort to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, the president noted that the treaty is "a critical element" of the international effort to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
"And I urge all states to sign and ratify the agreement so that it can be brought into force at the earliest possible date," he said in a statement.
He said the U.S. remains "fully committed" to pursuing ratification of the treaty and will continue to engage members of the Senate on its importance to U.S. security.
"America must lead the global effort to prevent proliferation, and adoption and early entry into force of the CTBT is a vital part of that effort," he added.
Adopted by the UN General Assembly on Sept.10, 1996, the CTBT bans all nuclear explosions in all environments, for military or civilians purposes, and Indonesia becomes the 156th country to ratify it.
As it stands, the accord will enter into force 180 days after getting ratification from China, the Democratic People`s Republic of Korea, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Pakistan and the United States, nations that participated in the treaty`s negotiations between 1994 and 1996 and possessed nuclear power reactors or research reactors at the time.
Obama called for a nuclear-free world in 2009, and hosted a nuclear security summit the following year in Washington, with a view to reducing nuclear threats around the world.
(C003)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
