63RD UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE (UNFC): DAY FOUR AND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 USUN NEW YORK 001018 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CD CDG KN PARM PREL UNGA SUBJECT: 63RD UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE (UNFC): DAY FOUR AND FIVE OF THEMATIC DEBATE - OTHER WMDS AND OUTER SPACE This is UNFC-6 -------------- C1 Days 4 and 5 10-17 and 10-20 Thematic Debate on Other Weapons of Mass Destruction and Outer Space - Summary -------------- ¶1. (U) Summary: The First Committee on Disarmament and International Security conducted its thematic debate on other weapons of mass destruction on October 17. The Chair of the Panel of Governmental Experts on the issue of missiles in all its aspects and the Chair of the 2008 Meeting of States Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention opened the debate. Representatives from the following states spoke: France on behalf of the European Union, Brazil on behalf of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) and Associate States, Indonesia on behalf of the Nonaligned Movement (NAM),Norway, Lithuania, Belarus, Australia, Cuba, Republic of Korea (ROK), and Hungary. ¶2. (U) The Committee conducted its thematic debate on the disarmament aspects of outer space on October 20. Representatives from the following states spoke: Russia, Belarus, United States, Cuba, China, Republic of Korea (ROK), Sri Lanka, Canada, and Egypt. Russia spoke in a right of reply, stating that contrary to the U.S. remark that Russia and China refused to agree to a neutral resolution on transparency and confidence building measures (TCBMs),it had worked toward that end. Russia suggested that the United States, and in particular its draft resolution on compliance, hindered efforts to seek neutral agreements. End Summary. -------------- 10-17, Day 4 - Panel of Governmental Experts on the issue of Missiles in all its aspects, Chair of the 2008 Meeting of States Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention and representatives from the following states: France on behalf of the EU, Brazil on behalf of MERCOSUR and Associate States, Indonesia on behalf of the NAM, Norway, Lithuania, Belarus, Australia, Cuba, Republic of Korea (ROK),and Hungary. -------------- ¶3. (U) Chairperson of the Panel of Governmental Experts on the issue of missiles in all its aspects, Santiago Irazabal Mourao of Brazil, stated that the potential for missiles to carry WMD was a significant political and military issue. He added that the diversity in international interests on the issue challenged efforts to address it in multilateral fora. He stated that the issues on which they agreed, such as the ;problem of the increase in cruise missile use, required further discussion. ¶4. (U) Chairperson of the 2008 Meeting of States Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC),Georgi Avramchev of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, said that the meeting resulted in broad agreements, including an inter-sessional work program to help implement the BWC. He stated that it also established a BWC Implementation Support Unit (ISU). He added that seven states parties had joined the BWC and two more might accede before the end of the year. ¶5. (U) France on behalf of the EU: Called on states to reexamine the possibility of withdrawing reservations from the 1925 Geneva Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare. It expressed support for the ISU but added that additional dialogue was needed for optimum implementation of the BWC. The EU highlighted the Chemical Weapons Convention's (CWC's) verification regime and the need for preparation with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). The EU expressed concern about the increase in mid-range missile testing over the past year, mentioning Iran in particular. It noted the 62nd UN General Assembly U.S.-Russian statement that the issue of the elimination of short- and medium-range surface-to-surface missiles be discussed and highlighted France's proposal to open negotiations on a treaty addressing that issue. On the prevention of an arms race in outer space (PAROS),the EU stated that it was working on a draft code of conduct. ¶6. (U) Brazil on behalf of MERCOSUR and Associated States: Urged the seven states that had not adhered to the CWC, to do so. It called for greater interaction among states parties toward CWC implementation. MERCOSUR called on possessor states to destroy their chemical weapon arsenals. It reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the BWC. MERCOSUR also stated that it hoped the December Meeting of States Parties to the BWC would take into account the work of the Governmental Group of Experts (GGE). ¶7. (U) Indonesia on behalf of the NAM: Called on states that have declared chemical weapons to intensify their efforts to meet their final extended deadline of April 2012 to destroy chemical weapons, in accordance with the CWC. The NAM urged the international community to focus efforts on providing support to victims suffering from the effects of exposure to chemical weapons. It noted the adoption of several Security Council resolutions and highlighted the need to ensure compliance with the UN Charter and existing multilateral treaties on WMD. ¶8. (U) Norway: Called on states to accede to the CWC and BWC. Norway underlined the importance of the BWC inter-sessional program of work. It highlighted its participation in a chemical weapon destruction cooperation program with Russia, as a contribution to the Group of Eight (G8) Global Partnership. It welcomed the OPCW program for Africa. Norway urged states to adhere to the Hague Code of Conduct (HCOC). It expressed support for the Conference on Disarmament's (CD's) work to address PAROS. ¶9. (U) Lithuania: Focused on issues associated with chemical weapons and munitions dumped at sea. It added that more than 40 states signaled that sea dumping of such items affected them. Lithuania noted that more than 50,000 tons of chemical munitions had been dumped in various seas. It highlighted its hosting of a September 2008 international seminar on the issue and called for more dialogue. ¶10. (U) Belarus: Introduced a draft resolution on the prohibition of the development and manufacture of new types of WMD and new systems of such weapons. Belarus stated that it had been adopted since 1990 on a triennial basis and aimed to establish a procedure that would make it possible for the CD to monitor the development and manufacture of new types of WMD weapons. ¶11. (U) Australia: It welcomed the CWC Second Review Conference but stated that it regretted a lack of discussion on challenges facing the CWC. Australia congratulated the three states (Zambia, Madagascar, and the United Arab Emirates) that ratified or acceded to the BWC. It noted its organization of a May 2007 biosafety workshop for Southeast Asian technical experts. Australia urged the eight Pacific states to join the BWC. It referred to the HCOC as a means to prevent missile proliferation and stated that it was working to broaden awareness of the Code. Australia also noted that it would chair the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) from 2008 to 2009 and would seek to advance its work to "defeat" WMD delivery system systems. ¶12. (U) Cuba: Stated that the CWC Second Review Conference demonstrated a "balanced way" to address states parties' positions and concerns. Cuba stated that the OPCW's most important task would be the total destruction of chemical arsenals. It deemed "useful" the follow-up mechanism from the Sixth Review Conference of the BWC but added that there was a need for negotiating and adopting a legally binding verification protocol. Cuba stated that a number of groups' initiatives, including the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI),have never been multilaterally negotiated, and therefore, weakened the role of the UN. ¶13. (U) Republic of Korea: It commended the 2006 BWC Review Conference for providing a solid base to further pursue endeavors. The first inter-sessional work program, the ROK continued, demonstrated the will to strengthen Convention implementation. It noted it would host the second session of the inter-sessional work program on two themes: biosafety and biosecurity; and oversight, education, awareness raising and code of conduct. The ROK stated its desire to build further momentum at the 2011 Seventh Review Conference by implementing the intersessional work program. ¶14. (U) Hungary: Stated that it would submit a draft resolution entitled "Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction." Hungary stated that the text was based on resolutions adopted in recent years and had been updated to reflect new developments. It expressed hope for its adoption by consensus. Hungary also congratulated the UAE, Zambia, and Madagascar for acceding or ratifying the BWC. -------------- 10/20, Day 5 - Russia, Belarus, United States, Cuba, China, Republic of Korea (ROK),Sri Lanka, Canada, and Egypt -------------- ¶15. (U) Russia: Called on the international community to conclude an arrangement for the prevention of an arms race in outer space (PAROS). Russia stated that, in February 2008, in conjunction with China, it had tabled a treaty intended to fill in gaps in international space law and prohibit weapons in space. It added that the United States expressed ideas on substance. It proposed that states join the Russian initiative to not be the first state to place weapons of any kind in outer space. Russia expressed support for an EU draft code of conduct on space activities. Russia stated that it would table a draft resolution on transparency and confidence building measures (CBMs) in outer space. ¶16. (U) Belarus: Expressed support for full compliance with and further development of space law. Belarus welcomed the Russian-Chinese draft treaty on PAROS. "As supporters of preventive approaches," it stated that the international community should take all measures for PAROS. It also stated that it supported a moratorium on placing weapons in space. ¶17. (U) Cuba: Stated that existing legal instruments, such as the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, played a successful part in regulating space activity. It added that PAROS had been a universal goal but that existing agreements had not eliminated the dangers of outer space militarization. It proposed establishing an ad hoc committee in the CD to address that issue. Cuba expressed support for the Russian-Chinese draft treaty. It reiterated that it does not believe in the use of nuclear energy in outer space. Cuba underlined the NAM's concern about anti-ballistic missile (ABM) defense systems and stated that they had the potential to start an arms race. Cuba stated that transparency and CBMs could play an important part in developing a treaty banning the use of weapons in outer space. ¶18. (U) China: Stated that it could not accept the unwarranted allegations and charges that the United States has made against it regarding its January 2007 outer space test. China stated that the Chinese Foreign Minister had already "expanded in detail" about that test. China emphasized that such tests were not directed toward any particular state and did not violate any international law provision. China asserted that certain states considered it a domain to establish dominance, as well as to advance missile defense programs. China highlighted the need for the Treaty on the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space, the Threat or Use of Force against Outer Space Objects (PPWT) to bar non-WMD from space. It also stated that TCBMs were not a substitute for a new legal instrument in space. ¶19. (U) Republic of Korea: Stated that it is worrisome that artificial barriers to military and civilian activities in outer space were eroding. The ROK expressed support for the draft Russian-Chinese treaty as a basis to explore the abstract concepts and nature of outer space. The ROK reminded member states of the importance of protecting weapon ground control stations. It noted its cooperation with the Russian space agency on space flight. ¶20. (U) Sri Lanka: As in the past, Sri Lanka, with Egypt, introduced the draft resolution, with technical updates, on PAROS. Sri Lanka expressed concern about the potential threat of dual use technology. It called on states with space capabilities to contribute to PAROS. Sri Lanka urged the CD to establish an ad hoc committee with a mandate to carry out negotiations. It expressed support for the PPWT as a constructive initiative. ¶21. (U) Canada: Commended Presidents of the CD and other member states for their efforts to create a program of work but regretted that they were unable to succeed. It stated that it looked forward to discussions on a PAROS treaty. Canada welcomed delegations' contributions in discussions, including the Russian-Chinese draft, on what a negotiated treaty could look like. ¶22. (U) Egypt: Also introduced, with Sri Lanka, the draft resolution on PAROS. It added that the resolution advocated strict compliance with existing agreements. Egypt also urged the CD to establish as early as possible during its 2009 session an ad hoc committee on PAROS, to include discussion of the Russian-Chinese draft treaty. ¶23. (U) Right of Reply: Russia: Responded to the U.S. statement in which it stated that China and Russia "refuse to agree to a neutral TCBM resolution unencumbered by restraints and limitations." Russia argued that it tried to conduct such work in 2007. Russia stated that such treaties needed to be neutral and encumbered, and that to the contrary, it was the United States that planned to table a resolution (on compliance). It added that it continued to be open to discussions with the United States and others on the work of the CD. Khalilzad