GUIDANCE ON PROMOTING DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE

UNCLAS STATE 121392 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL UNGA PARM ECON SUBJECT: GUIDANCE ON PROMOTING DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE REDUCTION AND PREVENTION OF ARMED VIOLENCE REF: ENAV - NICHOLS EMAIL 11/10/2008 12:43 PM ¶1. (U) Following is guidance on the draft resolution entitled, "Promoting Development through the Reduction and Prevention of Armed Violence," which is being considered under Agenda item 107 of the 63rd session of the UNGA. Guidance is for the November 17 plenary meeting. ¶2. (SBU) In addressing this draft resolution "Promoting Development through the Reduction and Prevention of Armed Violence," agenda item 107, USUN should: If permitted, provide an explanation of position (EOP) before the resolution is adopted by consensus. The EOP should note that although the U.S. does not intend to break consensus, it does not support the draft resolution because of concerns about the Geneva Declaration, which it has not endorsed. Alternatively, USUN could present an EOP expressing its disassociation from consensus after the adoption of the resolution by consensus. USUN may wish to draw on points in para 4. ¶3. (SBU) If a vote is called by another delegation, USUN is instructed to "abstain" and make a brief explanation of vote. Stress disagreement with the Geneva Declaration and the fact that the U.S. has not endorsed the Declaration. USUN may wish to draw on points from para 4. ¶4. (SBU) USUN may wish to draw on the following points when making its intervention. Begin talking points: --The United States fully supports implementation of the UN Program of Action to Prevent, Combat, and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (POA) and offers many assistance programs in this regard. --In addition to our own export control activities, we assist other states in fully implementing the POA in areas such as export controls, brokering regulations, destruction of excess weapons and stockpile security. --The United States also places a high priority on promoting human rights, countering the causes of conflict and supporting post-conflict initiatives. --However, the United States does not believe additional legally binding instruments on SA/LW or associated issues, as called for by the Geneva Declaration, are required to make an impact on these issues, which are important to us all, nor are such legally binding instruments likely to be successful in accomplishing their desired goals. The United States prefers to focus on concrete actions that address the underlying problems, rather than expending limited resources on negotiating additional instruments. --The POA,s strength is in its implementation by participating states, not in additional associated legally binding instruments. --While the United States supports working in partnership with other stakeholders in reducing armed violence and illicit weapons proliferation, we can not support the Geneva Declaration in whole and therefore cannot support this resolution. End talking Points. RICE