UNGA VOTES FOR COOPERATION WITH PREPCOM, OTHER

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001030

SIPDIS

FOR IO, ISN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL OARC KNNP KISL
SUBJECT: UNGA VOTES FOR COOPERATION WITH PREPCOM, OTHER
ORGANIZATIONS

REF: STATE 116977


1. The UN General Assembly (UNGA) considered on November 3
its agenda item on UN cooperation with other international
organizations, and passed five resolutions by consensus and
one voted text calling for cooperation with the Preparatory
Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty
Organization (CNTBTO) (64-1-0, United States voted No).


2. UNGA passed five resolutions by consensus for cooperation
with the following organizations: Asian-African Legal
Consultative Organization (A/63/L.7),sponsored by India and
29 others; the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization
(BSEC) (A/63/L.9),sponsored by Bulgaria; the Latin American
Economic System (A/63/L.10),sponsored by Uruguay; the
Council of Europe (CoE) (A/63/L.12),sponsored by Sweden and
33 others; Eurasian Economic Community (A/63/L.13),sponsored
by Belarus. Other organizations included within the
resolutions' purview were the African Union, Association of
Southeast Asian Nations, Caribbean Community, Community of
Portuguese-Speaking Countries, the Economic Cooperation
Organization, the International Organization of la
Francophonie),the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the Arab
League, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical
Weapons (OPCW),the Organization of the Islamic Conference
(OIC),the Pacific Islands Forum, the PrepCom, and the
Southern African Development Community.


3. Cosponsoring resolutions for cooperation with BSEC and
CoE, USDel joined consensus on all resolutions except the
Swedish-sponsored resolution on the PrepCom for the CNTBTO.
Pursuant to reftel instructions, USDel called for a vote and
cast a negative ballot. The total was 64 votes for the
resolution, one vote against, and no abstentions.


4. In opening statements, delegates heard interventions from
PrepCom Executive Secretary Tibor Toth and OPCW
Director-General Rogelio Pfirter. Pfirter said the major
burden for ridding the world of chemical weapons (CW) rests
with Russia and the United States. Expressing appreciation
to both Member States for fulfilling their obligations, he
credited the United States for construction of new CW
destruction facilities and for helping other countries
eliminate their stockpiles. Pfirter additionally urged
Israel and Syria to join the OPCW and encouraged North Korea
to make a "positive move."


5. On November 4, Uganda, as chair of the OIC Group,
submitted a draft resolution specifically endorsing UN
cooperation with OIC. Uganda expects the draft to be
considered in plenary session before November 11.
Khalilzad