63RD UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE (UNFC): DAY SEVEN OF

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 001022

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

This is UNFC-8

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C1 Day 7 10-22 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. This cable
covers the final day of thematic debate on conventional
weapons, October 22. The following states spoke on October
22: Gabon, China, Ecuador, Germany, Canada, Senegal, Kenya,
Netherlands, Paraguay, Zambia, Togo, Mexico, Ireland, Iran,
and Libya. End Summary.

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10/22, Day 7 - Gabon, China, Ecuador, Germany, Canada,
Senegal, Kenya, Netherlands, Paraguay, Zambia, Togo, Mexico,
Ireland, Iran, and Libya
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2. (U) Gabon: Praised the 2001 UN PoA on SA/LW and the
adoption of an instrument on tracing and marking. It
appealed to member states to assist developing states to
implement the PoA. Gabon stated that the BMS3 final document
bolstered the PoA but that it still contained issues that
would need periodic review.


3. (U) China: Reiterated its commitment to addressing the
issue of cluster munitions and noted its assistance to Asian
and African mine clearance projects. China added that it
hosted a mine clearance course for personnel from Sudan and
provided financial assistance to other states, including Peru
and Ecuador. China stated that arms trade is a complicated
issue and that states should address the issue in a
step-by-step manner within the UN framework and based on the
report from the GGE on an ATT. It noted for the first time
that it had submitted its military expenditures (for 2007) to
the UN reporting instrument.


4. (U) Ecuador: Called on states to support the International
Tracing Instrument (ITI) to deal with illicit trade in SA/LW
and to identify lawful trade to allow states to acquire arms
for self-defense. Ecuador stated that it requested an
eight-year extension to meet its mine clearance deadline
under the Ottawa Convention. It also stated that it would
host a conference on the CMC to address the humanitarian
impact of cluster munitions.


5. (U) Germany: Introduced two draft resolutions, one on
problems arising from the accumulation of conventional
ammunition stockpiles and surplus, and the other on
consolidation of peace through practical disarmament
measures. Regarding the former, Germany stated that the GGE
on that issue had provided guidance to move forward. On the
latter, Germany expressed hope that states would adopt it
without a vote.


6. (U) Senegal: Stated that an ATT should cover the seven
categories of arms listed in the UN Register. Senegal argued
that elaborating such a treaty would realize General Assembly
resolution 61/89 (2006). It stated that the ITI and
instrument on illicit brokering should become legally
binding. Senegal noted that the Ottawa Convention had broad
support from member states and urged other states to accede
to it. It also called on states to continue technical and
financial assistance in support of de-mining and victim
assistance.


7. (U) Kenya: Praised the Regional Center in Nairobi for
SA/LW to harmonize states' work. It expressed appreciation
for states supporting the United Kingdom's resolution on an
ATT. Kenya highlighted its hosting of an African regional
meeting last September and highlighted the outcome document.
The document, it continued, called for an ATT that would
encompass all conventional weapons.


8. (U) Netherlands: Introduced the draft resolution on
transparency in armaments, which it traditionally submits,
and stated that it would contribute to confidence and
security building. (NOTE: The 1991 transparency in armaments
resolution established the UN Register on Conventional Arms.
END NOTE). In the capacity of President of the 2007 First
Conference of the High Contracting Parties to the CCW
Protocol V, it highlighted that states parties would
establish a forum to facilitate coordination and cooperation
on implementation issues, a database on explosive remnants
for requests and needs assessments, and a national reporting
mechanism on implementation measures taken.


9. (U) Paraguay: Highlighted that it had made advances on the
national level in tracking SA/LW and added that civil society
played a major role in educating people on improper use of
SA/LW. Regarding an ATT, Paraguay stated that it supported a
treaty and urged states to use the GGE report recommendations
as guidance. It noted that it was a co-sponsor of the draft
resolution proposing an ATT open-ended working group.


10. (U) Zambia: Stated that it had undertaken measures to
implement the UN PoA on SA/LW, such as establishing a focal
point for implementation, involving civil society to deal
with the issue, and establishing a Fire Arms Act to regulate
SA/LW trade. Zambia advocated expanding the scope of SA/LW
to include man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS).


11. (U) Togo: Facilitated two national workshops in
September, one on SA/LW and the other on managing
conventional weapons stockpiles. It expressed support for
establishing an ATT open-ended working group. Togo welcomed
the updating and use of the UN Register and advocated
establishing a register for Africa.


12. (U) Mexico: On efforts to address illicit trade in SA/LW,
Mexico stated that it had seized approximately 37,000
firearms and almost 2,000 grenades in the last two years. It
argued that states' efforts to combat SA/LW would be limited
until international progress was made. Mexico lamented that
a lack of controls in certain states had led to diverting
arms to black markets and strengthening organized crime. It
reiterated that it preferred starting negotiations on an ATT.


13. (U) Ireland: Highlighted its hosting of the Oslo Process
negotiations in Dublin and noted that since the UN Secretary
General was the depository for the CMC, a resolution
implementing the SYG's responsibilities needed to be adopted.
Ireland emphasized that the proposal did not have any
implications for the regular budget since costs would be
borne by CMC parties.


14. (U) Iran: Stated that there was no urgent need to address
arms transfers since the UN Register covers that issue. It
lamented that there were few measures to track transfer of
aircraft, missiles or tanks. Iran noted that between 60 and
90 percent of deaths were due to small arms. Iran stated
that member states should aim to implement the UN PoA on
SA/LW, rather than pursuing a separate track. Iran bemoaned
that the BMS3 outcome document fell far short of the UN
standards, such as transparency and inclusiveness. Iran also
complained that millions of dollars in "high-tech" weapons
were sent to the "Zionist regime."


15. (U) Libya: On mines, it expressed concern that
international mechanisms have not addressed the issue in a
balanced way (i.e., they exclude the perspective of victim
states). It added that the unbalanced approach toward
addressing anti-personnel mines placed an embargo on weaker
states, precluding them from protecting their borders. Libya
added that member states also needed to address
rehabilitation of victims and the protection of the
environment. It argued that unless member states took those
issues into account, some may choose to abstain on related
draft resolutions.
Khalilzad