63RD UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE (UNFC): DAY EIGHT, NINE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 USUN NEW YORK 001021 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CD CDG PARM PREL UNGA SUBJECT: 63RD UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE (UNFC): DAY EIGHT, NINE AND TEN OF THEMATIC DEBATE - DISARMAMENT MACHINERY This is UNFC-10 -------------- C1 Days 8, 9, and 10 10-23, 10-24 and 10-27 Thematic Debate on Disarmament Machinery -------------- ¶1. (U) Summary: The First Committee on Disarmament and International Security conducted its thematic debate on disarmament machinery on October 23, 24, and 27. This summary comprises all three days of the debate. On the first day, representatives from the following states spoke: France on behalf of the European Union (EU),Brazil on behalf of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR),Indonesia on behalf of the Nonaligned Movement (NAM),and Qatar on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). On the second day, representatives from the following states spoke: Netherlands, Venezuela, Turkey, and Norway. Representatives from the following states concluded the debate on October 27: Cuba, Malaysia, Canada, India, Chile, and Nigeria on behalf of the African Group. End Summary. -------------- 10-23, Day 8 - France on behalf of the EU, Brazil on behalf of MERCOSUR, Indonesia on behalf of the NAM, and Qatar on behalf of the GCC -------------- ¶2. (U) France on behalf of the EU: Emphasized that the Conference on Disarmament (CD) was the single forum for multilateral negotiations. The EU found encouraging the work the CD undertook in 2008, since establishing the Six Presidents (P6) platform. The EU stated that it could accept CD/1840 but added that it would have preferred a stronger emphasis on negotiation. It also stated that it hoped to see the CD enlarge. The EU expressed hope that the United Nations Disarmament Commission (UNDC) could resume its role to realize its mandate as a consultative body. ¶3. (U) Brazil on behalf of MERCOSUR: Regretted that the UNDC concluded its triennial session without results and that nine years had passed without reaching consensus. MERCOSUR stated that it was time to consider other ways to carry out the work of the UNDC. MERCOSUR called for negotiations without delay on a Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty (FMCT). It also requested that the CD initiate negotiations on a legally binding document to address the prevention of an arms race in outer space (PAROS). ¶4. (U) Indonesia on behalf of the Nonaligned Movement (NAM): Stated that it would not support any 2009 UNDC agenda items that were inconsistent with General Assembly (GA) resolution 52/492. (Comment: The resolution states that at least one UNDC topic should concern nuclear disarmament. End Comment.) The NAM added that the next cycle of the UNDC should comprise recommendations for achieving the objectives of nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation, as well as a draft declaration of the 2010s as the fourth disarmament decade. The NAM urged the CD to create an ad hoc committee on nuclear disarmament. ¶5. (U) Qatar on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council: Stated that the GCC states were coordinating to strengthen regional cooperation, including on improving border control. The GCC stated that member states had pursued measures to fulfill international and national obligations concerning nuclear disarmament, such as facilitating training for Gulf professionals and raising media awareness on implementation and verification. The GCC argued that Israel's accession to the NPT would contribute to preserving the disarmament machinery. -------------- 10-24, Day 9 - Netherlands, Venezuela, Turkey, and Norway -------------- ¶6. (U) Netherlands: Introduced a draft resolution on behalf of the extended bureau of the UNDC entitled "Report of the Disarmament Commission." The Netherlands noted that the UNDC held its organizational meeting in March and approved its general program of work (PoW) and established Group I and Group II to address achieving nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation, and pursuing CBMs in the field of conventional weapons, respectively. ¶7. (U) Venezuela: As the last president of the CD in 2008, Venezuela introduced a draft resolution entitled "Report of the Conference on Disarmament." Venezuela stated that the resolution would have the GA recognize the need to conduct multilateral negotiations with the aim of reaching agreement on issues. It added that it would also call on the CD to intensify consultations. Venezuela noted that the six chairs of 2009 were already in consultation with the current chairs. ¶8. (U) Turkey: Reiterated it believed that members of the CD should start negotiations on an FMCT. It added that the CD should undertake new initiatives, such as advancing negative security assurances (NSAs) and PAROS. Turkey stated that it strongly believed that the P6 platform had been effective and welcomed the incoming presidents' intention to use it. On expanding CD membership, it stated that it does not constitute a priority and added that it should be considered on a case-by-case basis. (Note: a reference to Greek desires for membership. End Note) ¶9. (U) Norway: Advocated suggestions to improve the UNDC's working methods, to include shorter UNDC sessions, with a focus on one or two clearly defined topics. Norway suggested that the UNDC issue a Chair's summary, rather than a negotiated document. It expressed hope that the UNDC engage in self-evaluation. Norway advocated achieving consensus on modalities and format of an SSOD-IV. To that end, it noted that it had previously provided funding. Norway lamented the inability to negotiate an FMCT and called for more progress in the CD. -------------- 10-27, Day 10 - Cuba, Malaysia, Canada, India, Chile, and Nigeria on behalf of the African Group -------------- ¶10. (U) Cuba: Reiterated the NAM's call to establish an ad hoc committee on nuclear disarmament, adding that it should be the basis to reach consensus within the CD. Also reiterated the NAM's recommendation for the next cycle of the UNDC to comprise recommendations on nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation, and a draft declaration of the 2010s as the fourth disarmament decade. It expressed hope that the latter could propel the disarmament community out of stagnation. ¶11. (U) Malaysia: Deemed the 1996 International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion on the threat of nuclear weapons a milestone in efforts to address nuclear disarmament. Malaysia stated that the message should resonate in states' actions to reinvigorate the multilateral process to pursue nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation. Malaysia introduced a draft resolution to follow up on the advisory opinion. ¶12. (U) Canada: Noted that this year marked the 30th anniversary of the first special session of the UNGA on disarmament (SSOD-I). It reiterated that the reason for a broad mandate was to revitalize the disarmament agenda. Canada stated that the Ottawa and Oslo processes represented successful alternatives. It added that it was encouraged by the progresses since 2004, to make the First Committee a forum of discussion. It stated that all states have collective ownership of the disarmament machinery and therefore hold responsibility to repair it. ¶13. (U) India: Argued that the CD should continue to conduct its work by consensus, and added that although it was unable to reach consensus in the past, its deliberations were interesting and showed a desire to cooperate. India stated that it attached importance to the UN Secretary General's (SYG) advisory board on disarmament matters and welcomed its report's call to strengthen the SYG's role in generating political will in the field. India also welcomed the opening of the UN Regional Center for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific, located in Kathmandu. ¶14. (U) Chile: Called for greater democratization within the disarmament machinery. It argued that the subsidiary bodies of the UN system were not an end to themselves, but resources that satisfied the political needs of the international community. Chile also argued that disarmament, and not the CD, was a global public good. Chile stated that the CD could be reformed and broadened to obtain transparency and legitimacy. It praised the Ottawa and Oslo processes as examples of successful disarmament measures. ¶15. (U) Nigeria on behalf of the African Group: Presented two draft resolutions, one on the UN Regional Center for Peace and Disarmament in Africa and the other on the UN disarmament fellowship, training, and advisory services. Khalilzad