On behalf of the Government and People of The Bahamas, it is with great pleasure that I extend to each and every one of you a very warm welcome to The Bahamas and this Work-shop.

As you are aware, this Regional workshop is being co-hosted by the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

In this context, however, I also wish to acknowledge the contribution of the Governments of Austria and Costa Rica, Co-Chairs for the Fifth Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty [17 – 18 September 2007], and, in the case of Austria, the sponsor of this Regional Work-shop.

I am sure you will also permit me to extend a very special welcome to the Executive Secretary of the CTBTO, and say how delighted we all are that he is here with us, if only for a short time. Welcome to you, Excellency.

This Work-shop is intended to build upon previous regional and sub-regional international co-operation Work-shops, held in Peru in 2000, Jamaica in 2002, Guatemala in 2005 and Mexico in 2006.

Virtually on the opposite side of the world from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and, far removed from Continents and Regions engulfed in armed conflict, it is difficult, to understand the horror and depth of human loss and suffering, as well as environmental desecration caused by atomic weapons and war.

Yet, this is the magnitude and imperative of our task as we seek again, through this Regional Work-shop, to bring the Comprehensive Nuclear Test –Ban Treaty into force, with universal compliance.

It is my hope, therefore, that this 2007 Work-shop, taking place in a Country, as well as a Region, which is a comparative haven of peace, will come to be regarded as a significant turning point in expelling, once and for all, the contradictions between national political policies, human survival, and, the threats of intensified international terrorism from the diversion of nuclear weapons and nuclear weapons technology.

The CTBT is a cornerstone of the international regime on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, and therefore, integral to its effectiveness.

We also applaud the Treaty’s objective to transform the international norm against nuclear testing-- confirmed by its 177 Signatory States of which 140 have ratified - - into binding international law through entry into force.

The commitment of The Bahamas to non-proliferation is evidenced inter alia by her succession in 1976, to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and, her ratification in 1977, of the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America (the Tlatelolco Treaty).

In the recent past, there has been a comprehensive review by an Inter-Ministry/Agency, Public Sector/Private Sector Committee of administrators, technocrats and national scientists, of international obligations under certain major international agreements against weapons of mass destruction which included the CTBT. The raison d’être of the Committee was to ensure, in the light of experience, that national implementation machinery would be in place before accepting further legally binding commitments.

As you are aware The Bahamas, signed the Comprehensive NuclearTest- Ban Treaty on 4^th February, 2005, and I trust that I will be able to deposit the Instrument of Ratification with the Secretary-General of the United Nations before the conclusion of this Work-shop.

The Bahamas would further welcome any guarantees of partnership to benefit from best practice and technical assistance to establish a National Data Centre in order to be in a position to benefit from the International Data Centre and the civil and scientific applications it distills from the Treaty’s verification technologies.

Mr. Executive Secretary, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I wish to take this opportunity to comment, briefly, on the parallel issue of the transshipment of hazardous waste through the waters of the Caribbean because of its overriding importance to our sub-Region.

This waste composed of radioactive materials raises serious concerns for human health and development, given fragile marine and island eco-systems, and, by extension, the livelihoods of many persons derived therefrom.

Thus, it bears re-stating that the important link between an effective non-proliferation regime, and the attainment of an enduring global peace and stability, cannot be over-emphasized in relation, also, to the viability of global, economic and social development.

Mr. Executive Secretary, Ladies and Gentlemen,

In closing, let me say that I have looked at your Work-shop’s Provisional Draft Agenda and find its areas for discussion, not only extremely interesting, but also very timely.

The Workshop is indeed timely as you seek to enhance understanding of the CTBT among the States of the Region; to promote its signature and ratification; to facilitate the establishment of the verification regime ; as well as, clarify the potential benefits to the Region from the civil and scientific applications of its verification technologies in the fields of seismology, hydroacoustics, infrasound and radionuclide’s.

I wish you a successful Work-shop, and, lasting, mutually beneficial relationships, as you collaborate for regional and international peace and security.