THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release January 21, 1994

           Argentina and Chile Bring the Latin American
               Nuclear-Weapons Free Zone into Force

The United States congratulates the governments and Congresses of Argentina and Chile for bringing into force the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean, also know as the Treaty of Tlatelolco. This important action will strengthen the security of countries throughout the Western Hemisphere and reinforce the worldwide nonproliferation regime. It is the latest in a series of major contributions by Argentina and Chile to the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

The United States strongly supports the Treaty of Tlatelolco which, for more than a quarter of a century, has been a critical building block of peace and stability throughout Latin America. We seek its full entry into force for all the states of Latin America. The governments of Argentina and Chile have shown courage and vision in bringing that goal nearer to fruition. We urge the remaining non-parties to do the same at the earliest opportunity.

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