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

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 14 USUN NEW YORK 001019

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CD CDG PARM PREL UNGA
SUBJECT: 63RD UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE (UNFC): DAY FIVE AND SIX
OF THEMATIC DEBATE - CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS

This is UNFC-7

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C1 Days 5 and 6 10-20 and 10-21 of Thematic Debate on
Conventional Weapons - Summary
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1. (U) Summary: The First Committee on Disarmament and
International Security conducted its thematic debate on
conventional weapons from October 20 to 22. On October 20,
the Chairperson of the Governmental Group of Experts (GGE) on
an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) opened the debate.
Representatives from the following states then spoke: France
on behalf of the European Union (EU),Brazil on behalf of the
Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) and Associated States,
Indonesia on behalf of the Nonaligned Movement (NAM),
Barbados on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM),
Haiti on behalf of the Central American Integration System
(SICA) and Mexico, and Denmark.


2. (U) During the morning of October 21, the Chairperson of
the Third Biennial Meeting of States (BMS3) on small arms and
light weapons (SA/LW) opened the debate. Representatives
from the following states then spoke: Ireland, Chile, Japan,
South Africa, Pakistan, Jordan, Argentina, Jamaica, Mali,
Kazakhstan, Norway, Fiji, Finland, and New Zealand.


3. (U) During the afternoon session of October 21, the
Chairperson of the Governmental Group of Experts (GGE) on
conventional ammunition stockpiles in surplus opened the
debate. Representatives from the following states then
spoke: Russia, Lithuania, Trinidad and Tobago, United States,
Sweden, Australia, Cuba, Indonesia, Mozambique, Thailand,
Turkey, Republic of Korea (ROK),Canada, Cote d'Ivoire,
Uruguay, Israel, United Kingdom, Tanzania, and Burkina Faso
on behalf of the Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS). In a right of reply, Syria responded to Israel's
statement that it supplied arms to Hezbollah. Syria argued
that Israel continued to violate the Lebanese border and had
brought terrorism to the Middle East.

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10-20, Day 5 - Chair of the GGE ATT, France on behalf of the
EU, Brazil on behalf of MERCOSUR and Associated States,
Indonesia on behalf of the NAM, Barbados on behalf of
CARICOM, Haiti on behalf of SICA and Mexico, and Denmark.

4. (U) The Chairperson of the GGE on an ATT, Roberto Garcia
Moritan of Argentina, highlighted the instruments the GGE
considered important for an ATT, namely the guidelines
adopted in 1996 by the Conference on Disarmament (CD) and the
2001 UN Program of Action (PoA) on SA/LW. The GGE considered
the feasibility of an ATT from different perspectives. It
added that the GGE was the first opportunity that the UN had
to analyze the possibility of such an instrument. The GGE
urged states to adopt national systems and domestic controls
that apply strict standards but added that international
agreements would be necessary to implement them.


5. (U) Egypt stated that it believed an ATT might be a very
useful initiative. It advocated continued discussion with
the "authors," including the United Kingdom, on the issue.
It expressed hope that the language remained close to that of
the GGE. Russia also spoke, stating that it believed the
question of arms trade regulation was very complicated and
called for further, balanced steps to be taken. It also
stated that achieving consensus should remain a priority.


6. (U) France on behalf of the EU: Called on states to commit
national legislation to address illicit trade of SA/LW. The
EU expressed support for the Third Biennial Meeting of
States' (BMS3) efforts in implementing the action program.
It regretted, due to the attitude of one delegation (Iran),
that the BMS3 report had to be adopted by a vote. The EU
called on states to implement fully the UN PoA on SA/LW. It
deemed the 2007 GGE report on SA/LW "substantial" and added
that states should adopt its conclusions. The EU reiterated
support for an ATT, as well as the need to establish a UN
working group on that issue. The EU expressed support for
expanding, by categories, the Register of Conventional Arms
to include purchase information, production and national
allocations, as well as SA/LW as a separate category.

7. (U) Brazil on behalf of MERCOSUR and Associated States:
Stated that transparency and confidence building measures
(TCBMs) were an important way to boost world security. It
reiterated its support, since the 59th UN General Assembly
(GA),for the Argentinean resolution on confidence building
measures (CBMs) in the conventional weapons field. MERCOSUR
called for a follow-up mechanism on the UN PoA on SA/LW. It
welcomed Palau's signing of the Ottawa Convention. MERCOSUR
noted the GGE report on an ATT and added that there was
growing support to establish standards to regulate arms
trade.


8. (U) Indonesia on behalf of the NAM: Called on states to
provide assistance to strengthen the implementation of the UN
PoA on SA/LW and advocated its early and full implementation.
The NAM also expressed support for the full implementation
of the international marking and tracing instruments. The
NAM urged states to provide assistance to land mine clearance
operations, victim rehabilitation, and access to technology,
among other things. It noted both the Cluster Munitions
Convention (CMC) and the Convention on Certain Conventional
Weapons (CCW) but did not explicitly express support for
either.


9. (U) Barbados on behalf of CARICOM: CARICOM called for
greater transparency in arms trade and expressed support for
strong arms trade regulation in that regard. CARICOM
reiterated its commitment to implementing the 2001 UN PoA on
SA/LW. It lamented an increase in drug trafficking and crime
in the region, noting the closure in Barbados of the regional
UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). It added that
reopening the office would signify a recommitment to
combating those issues.


10. (U) Honduras on behalf of SICA and Mexico: SICA expressed
support for the UN PoA on SA/LW, as well as for the BMS3. It
highlighted its July 2007 Biennial Meeting outcome document
advocating the need for a follow-up mechanism on the UN PoA
on SA/LW. It also expressed support for the UK resolution
proposing establishing a group to discuss the issue, and
eventually, to create an ATT. SICA urged the donor community
to provide technological and financial support to finalize
de-mining tests and victim assistance. (NOTE: Member States
include Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras,
Nicaragua, and Panama. END NOTE.)

11. (U) Denmark: Stated that it supported the ATT initiative
and added that an absence of arms trade regulation continued
to contribute to conflict and terrorism. Denmark emphasized
that it supported the adoption of an ATT within the UN
system, while respecting states' rights to possess weapons.
Denmark called on states to prevent arms transfers that could
contribute to violations of humanitarian law. It welcomed
the work and recommendations of the GGE on that issue and
called for establishing an open-ended working group.

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10/21, Day 6 - Chair of the BMS3 on SA/LW, Ireland, Chile,
Japan, South Africa, Pakistan, Jordan, Argentina, Jamaica,
Mali, Kazakhstan, Norway, Fiji, Finland, New Zealand, Chair
of the GGE on conventional ammunition stockpiles in surplus,
Russia, Lithuania, Trinidad and Tobago, United States,
Sweden, Australia, Cuba, Indonesia, Mozambique, Thailand,
Turkey, Republic of Korea (ROK),Canada, Cote d'Ivoire,
Uruguay, Israel, United Kingdom, Tanzania, and Burkina Faso
on behalf of ECOWAS
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12. (U) The Chairperson of the BMS3 on SA/LW, Dalius Cekuolis
of Lithuania, stated that states agreed on the importance of
regional approaches (e.g., meetings) on PoA implementation.
He also called for establishing the United Nations Office for
Disarmament Affairs' (UNODA) PoA Implementation Support
System and the United Nations Institute for Disarmament
Research's (UNIDIR) database to enhance information exchange
and build national capacities. He highlighted the need for
national reporting, better use of civil society expertise,
and bridging the New York and Geneva disarmament communities.



13. (U) He stated that states agreed to implement
recommendations of the GGE on illicit brokering and to use
end-user certification/verification to address that issue.
On stockpile management and surplus disposal, he stated that
states agreed to focus on enhanced cooperation and compile
lessons learned. Concerning the International Tracing
Instrument (ITI),he stressed the need for record keeping.


14. (U) Ireland: Reviewed the main provisions of the CMC,
referring states to the following web site:
http://www.clustermunitionsdublin.ie/conventi on.asp. It
praised the consensus adoption of the CMC. Ireland quoted UN
Secretary General (SYG) Ban Ki-moon, stating that the UN is
ready to assist states to implement the Convention. It urged
its rapid entry into force.


15. (U) Chile: Praised the Oslo process for having concluded
with the CMC's adoption. Chile added that it supported the
regional conferences on cluster munitions and mentioned the
upcoming conference in Quito, Ecuador, to take place before
the CMC signing in December. It also praised progress toward
pursuing an ATT, noting that it had co-sponsored the
resolution establishing an open-ended working group on that
issue.


16. (U) Japan: Highlighted the adoption of the BMS3 report
and stated that the PoA Implementation Support System would
be very helpful, noting that it had donated $48,000 to the
1998 United Nations Coordinating Action on Small Arms
database. Japan advocated the need to establish
international standards, highlighted its participation in the
GGE meeting on an ATT, and noted its co-sponsorship of the UK
resolution proposing further discussion of that issue. Japan
stated that it had been working to universalize the Ottawa
Convention and added that it had donated $51 million to
contribute to victim assistance.


17. (U) South Africa: South Africa welcomed the BMS3 outcome
and called on states to implement fully the UN PoA on SA/LW.
South Africa stated that the Mine Ban Convention conference
in November would entail requests for extension to clearance
deadlines and called on states planning to request extensions
to redouble their de-mining efforts.


18. (U) Pakistan: Recalled that the first UNGA Special
Session on Disarmament (SSOD-I) Final Document deemed global
military expenditure a waste of resources and lamented the
continued existence of such expenses. Pakistan stated that
there was a need to address trade in SA/LW but added that it
should not divert focus from the impact of trade in combat
aircraft, aircraft carriers, airborne and early warning and
control systems, missile defense, etc. It advocated the
Treaty on Convention of Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) as a
model for pursuing military security agreements in other
regions. Pakistan suggested that the UN Office for
Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) could register arms information
and added that that could serve as an early warning system.


19. (U) Jordan: Introduced a draft resolution on the Ottawa
Convention, noted that Australia and Switzerland were
cosponsors, and stated that it included only procedural and
technical changes. Jordan called on the international
community to provide more resources for mine clearance and
victim assistance. It stated that it had destroyed all of
its anti-personnel mine stockpiles in 2003 and hoped to meet
its treaty obligations by 2009.


20. (U) Argentina: Introduced a draft resolution on an ATT.
Argentina emphasized that the resolution recognized UN
Charter Article 51 concerning states' rights to individual or
collective self-defense in the event of armed attack, as well
as states' rights to buy and sell weapons for defense needs.


21. (U) Jamaica: Stated that it implemented measures (e.g.,
a police anti-trafficking unit) over the past four years,
with the assistance of U.S., UK, and French officials, to
assist in combating drugs and crime. Jamaica called on the
developed states to assist developing states with
implementing the UN PoA on SA/LW. It expressed support for
an ATT and advocated that it address the export, import, and
transit of all conventional arms, including components,
ammunition, and technology for their manufacture.


22. (U) Mali: Stated that it set-up a framework for
transboundary cooperation to exchange intelligence on
criminal groups. Mali added that it would soon host a
conference in Bamako at which states can reaffirm their
commitment to establishing peace and security in the region
and to discuss the common problems they are facing (e.g.
terrorism, drug trafficking, etc.).


23. (U) Kazakhstan: Highlighted that it has provided
information to the UN Register of Conventional Arms since

1992. Kazakhstan noted that it introduced a new law on
export control last February. Kazakhstan stated that its
Parliament was finalizing the ratification process of the CCW
and added that while it was not a signatory of Protocol II;
it would comply with its provisions after its entry into
force. Kazakhstan also noted that it hosted a joint UN-EU
regional seminar on promoting CCW universality in Central
Asia last September.

24. (U) Norway: Welcomed the adoption of the CMC and
cautioned that cluster munitions could easily reach the
magnitude of the land mine problem. Norway added that it
would work with other states parties on CMC implementation
and universalization. It advocated that mine clearance
deadline extension requests should be well documented.
Norway reconfirmed its support for the UN PoA on SA/LW and
stated that it has provided financial support for its
implementation.


25. (U) Switzerland: On an ATT, it stated that the
appropriate next step was to establish an open-ended working
group. Switzerland called on states to submit information to
the UN Register of Conventional Arms and noted that the
number of states providing information on imports and exports
of light weapons has increased. Switzerland noted the Ottawa
Convention resolution, as well as challenges associated with
meeting mine clearance and stockpile destruction deadlines.


26. (U) Austria: Noted a project on the "Elaboration of a
Legal Instrument for the Control of Small Arms and Light
Weapons in Central Africa," as well as the development and
administration of training courses on stockpile management in
Africa and the Balkans. On cluster munitions, Austria stated
that it adopted a law banning their use. Austria highlighted
its financing of projects (1.6 million Euros) relating to
anti-personnel mines in Africa and southeastern Europe.

27. (U) Colombia: Expressed support for the BMS3 and noted it
implemented measures on the issue within the framework of the
International Tracing Instrument (ITI). Colombia called on
states to honor their commitments pursuant to Security
Council resolution 1540. It praised the GGE on an ATT and
reiterated that it should reflect, under UN Charter Article
51, states' rights to individual or collective self-defense
in the event of armed attack, and to buy and sell weapons for
defense needs.


28. (U) Nigeria: It lamented rising military expenditures in
light of increasing global poverty and highlighted the 1978
SSOD-I calling for a reduction in military spending. Nigeria
noted the report of the GGE on an ATT and the BMS3 report to
consider a PoA on SA/LW. Nigeria quoted former U.S.
President Eisenhower: "Every gun that is made, every warship
launched, every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a
theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are
cold and are not clothed." It added that those words
remained true today.


29. (U) Belarus: Established a system of state control on
trade, use, and destruction of SA/LW. Belarus also stated
that under the auspices of the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE),it is implementing a project on
SA/LW storage. Regarding meeting its Ottawa Convention
obligations, it lamented that it still faces the challenge of
disposing of more than 3 million PFM1 mines and called on the
international community for assistance.


30. (U) Fiji: Welcomed the establishment of an open-ended
working group on an ATT. It urged member states for
increased transparency and confidence building measures
(CBMs) on registering conventional arms and reporting
military expenditures. Fiji stated the need for a follow-up
mechanism on the UN PoA on SA/LW, and in particular, the
acquisition of SA/LW by non-state actors.


31. (U) Finland: Stated that the adoption of the BMS3
outcome document was a sign of progress and welcomed the
recommendations of the GGE. It expressed support for the
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convention
on small arms and hoped it would soon enter into force.
Finland stated that it expressed support for an ATT and for
the GGE consensus report on that issue.


32. (U) New Zealand: Stated that it would sign the CMC in
December. On the CCW, it stated that it continued to have
reservations regarding the current approach being taken in
the GGE on cluster munitions. It reiterated its "strong"
support for an ATT. New Zealand called on states parties of
the Ottawa Convention to provide assistance to states that
would have difficulty meeting deadlines.

33. (U) The Chairperson of the GGE on conventional ammunition
stockpiles in surplus, Michael Hasenau of Germany, warned of
the threats that poorly managed stockpile management pose,
such as compromising peacekeeping operations. He also spoke
on how to attain successful stockpile management, such as the
use of physical security systems to discourage loss or
diversion. He stated that the GGE recommended the
implementation of training to develop "national skill" for
stockpile management and added that those measures could be
undertaken at the local, regional, and international levels.
He said that the GGE believed that the international
stockpile management guidelines would be useful to facilitate
international cooperation. In addition, the GGE urged states
to pursue legislation governing stockpile management.


34. (U) Russia: Stated that the 2001 small arms and light
weapons (SA/LW) UN program of action (PoA) report failed to
address important issues, such as the need for end-user
certificates. Russia advocated halting production of SA/LW
on the basis of expired licenses, checking storage of those
weapons, tightening control on their re-export, and
introducing a ban on SA/LW to non-state end-users. Russia
criticized the GGE for not addressing whether an arms trade
treaty (ATT) was practically feasible. It agreed with the
GGE's recommendation that it address the issue gradually.
Russia argued that the "appropriate European mechanisms,"
such as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe (OSCE),were malfunctioning. It expressed intent to
develop the UN Conventional Arms Register, however, it added
that the Caucuses crisis called into question the
practicality of such a measure.


35. (U) Lithuania: As the President-designate of the Second
Conference of the High Contracting Parties to the Convention
on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) Protocol V, it stated
that the July Meeting of Experts had implemented a firm but
flexible framework for international cooperation. Lithuania
stated that it would present the meeting's recommendations at
the Conference in November. It added that establishing an
Implementation Support Unit would secure continuity and
stability of states' support.


36. (U) Trinidad and Tobago: Commended the GGE on ATT for
exploring a comprehensive legally binding treaty to regulate
arms. Trinidad and Tobago stated that the GGE's report
served as a sound basis for future efforts to address the
issue. It called for an ATT consistent with the UN Charter
and international human rights and humanitarian law.


37. (U) Sweden: Introduced a draft resolution on the CCW.
Sweden reviewed the purpose of the CCW and stated that it was
a tool to respond to humanitarian crisis. Sweden noted U.S.
ratification of CCW protocols and the amendment to Article 1.


38. (U) Australia: Australia stated that it would make
further contributions to the United Nations Mine Action
Service (UNMAS) clearance of cluster munitions in Lebanon.
It reiterated its support for an ATT and welcomed the report
of the GGE on an ATT. Australia called on states to ensure
that their national measures (e.g., internal controls) were
of the highest possible standards.


39. (U) Cuba: Reiterated its support for the UN PoA on SA/LW
and advocated states' rights to manufacture, import, and
possess SA/LW in accordance with UN Charter Article 51. It
noted that the report of the GGE on an ATT highlighted the
need for step-by-step consideration. Cuba argued that for
almost five decades a military superpower (the United States)
had subjugated it to a policy of hostility and aggression.
For that reason, Cuba argued, it was impossible for it to be
a state party to the Ottawa Convention, as it needed such
weapons to preserve its territorial integrity.


40. (U) Indonesia: Welcomed the Third Biennial Meeting of
States (BMS3) outcome and stated that it would continue to
facilitate meetings in its region. Indonesia expressed
support for an ATT, provided that it respected states' rights
outlined in UN Charter Article 51. It added that it
supported establishing an open-ended working group on an ATT.
Indonesia noted that it had fulfilled phase one of its
Ottawa Convention obligations last February. It highlighted
that it co-hosted a workshop on the Convention's
implementation and universalization in Bali.


41. (U) Mozambique: It stated that it had done its best to
clear land mines but that constraints on financial resources
remained a burden. As a result, Mozambique noted that it
submitted a request to extend the mine clearance deadline to

2014. It added that it recently approved a national Mine
Plan of Action for 2008 to 2012, aiming to eradicate mines
and return people to their homes.


42. (U) Thailand: It stated that it cleared approximately 63
percent of the total mine-suspected areas and added that this
year it set aside approximately $41 million to that end.
Thailand noted the early October deaths of two Thai Army
Rangers that occurred when they stepped on anti-personnel
mines during a routine patrol. It stated that it suspected
the mines were of foreign origin.


43. (U) Turkey: Expressed support for the BMS3 and
highlighted its recommendation to establish a follow-up
mechanism to the PoA. It noted the international
organizations' visit to the Turkish Munitions Disposal
Facility and the Rehabilitation and Health Care Center for
Mine Victims. As of September 30, Turkey stated that it
needed to destroy 1,980,109 anti-personnel mines, while
underscoring that it had already destroyed the fuses of all
those stockpiled.

44. (U) India: Stated that it would contribute significantly
to the Fourth Biennial Meeting of States. India added that
it would continue to pursue a ban on anti-personnel mines
that addresses states' legitimate defense requirements. It
reiterated its proposal for a dialogue to consider a new and
strengthened format of the CCW. India also stated that it
hoped for productive discussions in the November GGE meeting
on cluster munitions in Geneva.


45. (U) Republic of Korea: Noted that it joined CCW Protocol
V which entered into force for the ROK in July 2008. It
added that it contributed to GGE discussions on cluster
munitions. It welcomed the report of BMS3 to consider the UN
PoA on SA/LW. It added that the report would serve as a
valuable guide to point the way forward for implementation of
the PoA and the International Tracing Instrument (ITI).


46. (U) Canada: Expressed support for the BMS3 outcome, the
GGE report on an ATT, and the draft resolution calling for an
open-ended working group on ATT. It also welcomed the ROK's
draft resolution on illicit brokering. Canada called on High
Contracting Parties to the CCW to participate in the final
week of negotiations on cluster munitions. It noted that it
provided $50 million to "mine action."


47. (U) Cote D'Ivoire: Noted the 2006 creation of an ECOWAS
convention that stipulated control over SA/LW production.
Cote D'Ivoire stated that it would heartily welcome an ATT.
It added that the ECOWAS convention could serve as a guide to
the international community as it contained many principles
of an international ATT. Cote D'Ivoire warned that if the
international community did not address illicit trade in
SA/LW, it would continue to preclude sub-Saharan Africa from
achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).


48. (U) Uruguay: Stated that it had a set of laws related to
the production, import, export, transit, and re-transfer of
SA/LW. Uruguay noted that it had destroyed 35,000 illegal
weapons between 1998 and 2008. It highlighted that it
organized a national seminar to discuss a new arms law that
concluded with a commitment from all Uruguayan parties to
submit it as soon as possible. Uruguay reaffirmed that it
would sign the Cluster Munitions Convention (CMC) in
December.


49. (U) Israel: Warned that Hezbollah, supported by Iran, has
armed itself since 2006, and that Hamas is following closely
in its footsteps. Israel lamented the transfer of arms from
Iran and Syria to Hezbollah, and called on the international
community to address the transfer of arms to terrorists. It
highlighted its export control system, which it stated met
standards set by the international supplier's regime. Israel
expressed support for the BMS3 outcome but regretted that a
consensus could not be reached due to Iran's protest. It
added that Iran was the biggest supplier of arms to
terrorists in the region.


50. (U) United Kingdom: Stated that it had already taken
practical steps to implement the CMC and reiterated its
support for the Ottawa Convention. It regretted that member
states could not adopt by consensus the UN PoA on SA/LW but
added that those that rejected it did so because of the
process and not the content. The United Kingdom reaffirmed
support for an ATT, noting that some states were questioning
the need for such a treaty. However, it emphasized that
"the time for an arms trade treaty is long overdue."


51. (U) Tanzania: Warned that illicit trade in SA/LW has
affected the entire African continent and could "suck in" the
developed world. Tanzania highlighted the link between
development and security, noting the current financial
crisis. It lamented that Security Council resolution 1653
(2006) had not accomplished its goal of disarming the Great
Lakes region.


52. (U) Burkina Faso on behalf of ECOWAS: Stated that the
effects of the illicit trade in SA/LW in West Africa were
evident and highlighted the ECOWAS convention established to
address that issue. ECOWAS advocated pursuing a legally
binding treaty to regulate arms trade, which it argued would
reduce conflict and promote human rights and democracy.

53. (U) Right of Reply: Syria: In response to Israel's
statement that Syria facilitates arms trade to Hezbollah,
Syria stated that the border commission and Lebanese
officials denied that there were arms transfers. Syria
accused Israel of violating the border and of dropping more
than a million cluster munitions in Lebanon. Syria also
argued that Israel had brought terrorism to the Middle East.
Khalilzad