Written Statement ofthe Government of NewZeafand URïTTEN STATEàENTBY THE GOVERNMENTOF NEW ZEALAND
ON THE REOUEST FOR AN ADVISORY OPINION ONTHE
~GALITY OF-THE USE BY A STATE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS
IN ARMED CONFLICT
The New Zealand Government wishesto respond to the Order of
the International Court of Justiceof 13 September 1993,
establishing the date by which submissionsshould be received
on the request for an advisory opinion contained in World
Health Assembly Resolution 46.40, transmitted to the Court by
the Director-Generalof the World HealthOrganisation on
3 September 1993.
The New Zealand Government regardsthe issues raised by the
request of the World Health Organisation for an advisory
opinion as of the utmost seriousness. Were the Court to
consider the substance of the matter, political and security
considerations extending beyonà che confines of the question
would be involved.
One of those considerations would be te effect that a Court
opinion might have -.on fundamencal aspeccs of current
disarmament efforts, ~ncluding in parYiciilarthe maintenance
and strengtheninq of the nuclear non-2rolifera:ion reqime and
the current nuclear test ban neqotiations.
In view of this the Court's decision whezher or not CO exercise
its discretion to consider the quescion püt to it will be a
matter for the most careful judgment.
As a strong and active supporter of the disarmament process,
Goverment wishes to preserve the option of conveying further
views should the Court decide to exercise its discretion by
proceeding to consider the subsience of Zhe question put by the
World Health Organisation.
Written Statement of the Government of New Zealand