Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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07USUNNEWYORK179 | 2007-03-06 18:47:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | USUN New York |
1. BEGIN SUMMARY: Representatives of the Department for Disarmament Affairs, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the World Customs Organization briefed the Security Council in a public meeting on February 23, concerning cooperation between the UN and international organizations in promoting implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 1540 (2004) and 1673 (2006). Following the briefings, all Council members, Germany (on behalf of the European Union), Cuba, Belarus (on behalf of the Cooperative Security Treaty Organization), Norway, Israel, Australia, El Salvador, Pakistan, Argentina, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Guatemala, Uruguay, Bangladesh, Brazil, Viet Nam, New Zealand (on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum), and Iran spoke. Slovak PermRep and 1540 Committee Chairman Burian then read a statement that, among other things, reiterated the Council's determination to enhance its cooperation with international organizations to help promote implementation of resolution 1540 (S/PRST/2007/4). A transcript of the meeting has been sent to IO/PSC and ISN/CPI and can be found at www.un.org/Depts/dhl/resguide/scact2007.htm. END SUMMARY. -------------------------- U.S. Statement -------------------------- 2. Ambassador Sanders delivered the U.S. statement (ref A), adding additional points expressing concern about Iran's nuclear program. Amb. Sanders said the IAEA's report that the Council received on February 22 makes clear that Iran has not complied with resolution 1737 (2006), highlighting Iran's continued defiance of the international community. The IAEA's report describes Iran's failure to cooperate fully with the IAEA's investigation, which is unacceptable, she said. As resolution 1737 indicates, the Council should be prepared to take additional appropriate measures to communicate to the Iranian regime that its non-compliance is unacceptable and to persuade it to cooperate, Amb. Sanders added. She then highlighted U.S. experiences in implementing resolution 1540, including the issuance of E.O. 13382 concerning proliferation financing, and described U.S. assistance to build states' capacity to implement the resolution. She also encouraged the Council to urge states that may need help in meeting their obligations under the resolution to seek assistance from the IAEA and the OPCW. -------------------------- Common Themes -------------------------- 3. Common themes in other statements included the importance of resolution 1540 in efforts to counter the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs); the need for technical assistance and outreach; and the call for better coordination among the 1540 Committee, the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), the 1267 Committee, and their experts' groups to minimize duplicative reporting requests and alleviate reporting fatigue. The UK and Israel echoed U.S. concerns about Iran, noting Iran's failure to meet its obligations under resolution 1737 (2006). Notably, OPCW Director General Regelio Pfirter strongly condemned the use of chlorine gas by Iraqi insurgents and urged governments - particularly in the Middle East - to join him in stating clearly that the use of poison gas is unacceptable. 4. Several delegations also praised U.S.-sponsored outreach events on 1540, such as the ASEAN Regional Forum workshop in February and last November's OSCE/FSC session. Argentina, Pakistan, and Brazil criticized the Committee's process for USUN NEW Y 00000179 002.2 OF 002 renewing the contracts of its experts as unfair and lacking transparency. Without using names, Brazil speculated that the Committee had extended Russian expert Victor Slipchenko and U.S. expert Richard Cupitt for longer than the three other experts because they come from P-5 member states. -------------------------- South Africa Critiques 1540 -------------------------- 5. South Africa delivered a provocative statement criticizing aspects of resolution 1540 and reiterating the G-77 argument that disarmament and non-proliferation are equally important. (Note: Cuba, Iran, Indonesia, and Pakistan echoed South Africa's comments on disarmament.) It complained that "no credible efforts" have been made to close the gap in the international regimes addressing disarmament and non-proliferation since the resolution's introduction and that, instead, the Council extended the 1540 Committee's mandate in 2006. South Africa said the threat of WMDs and their delivery systems can only be addressed "in a balanced and comprehensive manner" through the existing multilateral treaty regimes and suggested that, in adopting resolution 1540, the Council had assumed legislative and treaty-making powers beyond its authority. It also criticized 1540's reporting request, saying reporting obligations should be differentiated by each state's capabilities. Finally, South Africa urged the 1540 Committee, the CTC, the 1267 Committee, and their experts to address overlaps in their functions and reporting requests to avoid duplication, ultimately resulting in joint visits to states. -------------------------- Iran Defiant, Defends Record -------------------------- 6. Iran criticized resolutions 1540 and 1673, called for the total elimination of nuclear weapons, and accused the United States, the UK, and Israel of mounting "baseless allegations" concerning its nuclear program. Asserting that it implements resolutions 1540 and 1673, Iran then questioned the resolution's compatibility with the UN Charter and international disarmament instruments. The resolutions should not be interpreted or implemented to conflicts with, or alter, the rights and obligations set forth in instruments such as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Chemical Weapons Convention, and the Biological Toxin Weapons Convention, Iran argued, espousing its "inalienable right" under the NPT to pursue and develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. Iran also called the IAEA's inspections in Iran "the most robust inspection of any Member State," saying the IAEA has "repeatedly reaffirmed that it 'has not seen any diversion of nuclear material to nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices' in Iran's peaceful nuclear program." WOLFF |