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08USUNNEWYORK965
2008-10-22 22:04:00
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63RD UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE (UNFC): DAY ONE AND TWO

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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 USUN NEW YORK 000965 

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CDG KN PARM PREL UNGA CD
SUBJECT: 63RD UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE (UNFC): DAY ONE AND TWO
OF GENERAL DEBATE

This is UNFC-1

---------------------
C1 Days 1 and 2 (10-6 and 10-7) General Debate Summary
---------------------

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 USUN NEW YORK 000965

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CDG KN PARM PREL UNGA CD
SUBJECT: 63RD UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE (UNFC): DAY ONE AND TWO
OF GENERAL DEBATE

This is UNFC-1

--------------
C1 Days 1 and 2 (10-6 and 10-7) General Debate Summary
--------------


1. (U) Summary: The First Committee on International Security
and Nuclear
Disarmament conducted its general debate from October 6 to
October 14.
This summary comprises statements from Days 1 and 2 (October
6 and 7) of
the debate. The following spoke on Day 1: Sergio Duarte,
High
Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Mexico on behalf of
the Rio Group,
Indonesia on behalf of the Nonaligned Movement, Nigeria on
behalf of the
African Group, France on behalf of the European Union, South
Africa on
behalf of the New Agenda Coalition, Brazil, China, Mexico,
Columbia, Jamaica,
Australia, and Bangladesh. Syria spoke in a right of reply
to address
the EU remark stating that Syria was developing an undeclared
nuclear reactor.
The following states spoke on Day 2: Burma on behalf of
ASEAN, Indonesia,
Switzerland, Japan, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Bulgaria,
Ukraine, Nigeria,
United Arab Emirates, Canada, and the Holy See. Iran spoke
in a right
of reply to EU remarks alleging Iran's non-compliance with
Security Council
resolutions. Georgia and Russia spoke in rights of reply
about their
respective actions in the Caucuses, each accusing the other
of disseminating
false information. End Summary.

--------------
10-6, Day 1 - Mexico (Rio Group),Indonesia (Nonaligned
Movement),Nigeria
(Africa Group),South Africa (New Agenda Coalition),Brazil,
China, Mexico,
Colombia, Jamaica, Australia, Bangladesh, Syria (Right of
Reply)
--------------


2. (U) Mexico on behalf of the Rio Group: The Rio Group
called for the
elimination of nuclear material, military nuclear programs,
and chemical
and biological weapons. It expressed support for
establishing nuclear
weapon free zones (NWFZ) and urged states to accede to the
Nuclear
Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT),the Comprehensive Test Ban
Treaty (CTBT),
and the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW).
The Rio Group
remained concerned about an arms race in outer space and the
need to reduce
trafficking of small arms and light weapons (SA/LW). It
encouraged
"denuclearizing the Korean peninsula." The Rio Group

reaffirmed developing
states' rights to participate in the research, production,
and use of nuclear
energy for peaceful purposes.

3. (SBU) Indonesia on behalf of the Non-aligned Movement
(NAM): The NAM
encouraged states to resolve current impasses in disarmament
and deemed
"multilateralism" the core principal of their efforts. The
NAM underlined
concern over the "lack of progress" by nuclear weapons states
(NWS) on NPT
implementation. The NAM stated its position in support of
the non-use of
force or the threat of the use of force against the
territorial integrity of
any state. It supported developing states' rights to engage
in research,
production, and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
It called on
the United States and Russia to reduce their nuclear arsenals
under the 2002
Moscow Treaty and for Israel to accede to the NPT. It
further requested
that the Conference on Disarmament (CD) establish an ad hoc
committee on
nuclear disarmament and for all parties to work toward a
successful 2010 NPT
review. Regarding the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC),it
reaffirmed the
need for states to meet destruction deadlines, stating: "more
than 60% of
stockpiles still remained to be destroyed." The NAM also
asked states
responsible for leaving explosive remnants of war outside of
their
territories to assist in their removal. (Comment: The UK
Representative
observed that the statement was "very traditional." End
Comment)


4. (U) Nigeria on behalf of The African Group: The Group
stated that
multilateralism would expedite achievement of most goals.
The Group called
on NWS to stop the qualitative improvement, development,
production, and
stockpiling of nuclear warheads and their delivery systems.
(NOTE: This
is almost identical to last year's statement. END NOTE.)
The Group stated
its position on the non-use of force or the threat of the use
of force
against the territorial integrity of any state. It called
for "universal
adherence" to the CTBT. The Group argued for the
implementation of the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Code of Practice on
the
International Transboundary Movement of Radioactive Waste to
enhance
protection of states from radioactive waste dumping. As
with the previous
two groups, it reaffirmed developing states' rights to use
nuclear energy
for peaceful purposes.


5. (U) France on behalf of the European Union: The EU urged
international
organizations, regime, and treaties to play their role in
fostering
international security. The EU stated that international
security has
been compromised by the proliferation of WMD, means of
delivery, and
access to those by non-state actors. The EU reaffirmed its
support for
all measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring WMD and the
means to
deliver it. It also expressed concern about the
proliferation of
ballistic missiles of increasing range. The EU called for
strengthening
disarmament and nonproliferation agreements, banning the
production of
fissile material for nuclear weapons, strengthening
verification measures,
and ratifying the CTBT. It urged all states to sign and
bring into force
all agreements, including the Chemical Weapons Convention
(CWC) and the
NPT, which it deemed "the cornerstone of the global nuclear
nonproliferation regime." The EU deplored Iran's refusal to
suspend
uranium enrichment. It stated its support for the Six Party
Talks but
expressed concern over the Democratic People's Republic of
Korea's (DPRK)
decision to restart its reactor in Yongbyon. (Note: This was
before the
recent U.S.-DPRK Agreement on Denuclearization Verification
Measures.
End Note) The EU also expressed concern regarding the IAEA
Director
General's 4/25 remarks on Syria having an undeclared nuclear
reactor.
The EU also called for further U.S.-Russian discussions on
developing a
legally binding post-Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START)
arrangement,
and the inclusion of tactical nuclear weapons in states'
general arms
control and disarmament priorities. The EU said that it is
considering
contributing to an IAEA fuel bank. It also urged states to
restrain from
taking action to undermine the prevention of an arms race in
outer space.


6. (U) South Africa on behalf of the New Agenda Coalition
(NAC): The NAC
stated that as long as states possess nuclear weapons, others
would want
to acquire them. It also expressed concern about nuclear
weapons falling
into the hands of non-state actors. The NAC deemed the NPT
"the
cornerstone of nuclear disarmament" and therefore, called for
a
strengthening of the review process of the Treaty, among
other things.
It called on states to implement all commitments undertaken
at the 1995
and 2000 NPT reviews. The NAC urged the DPRK to denuclearize
peacefully
and to rescind its withdrawal from the NPT. It encouraged
India, Israel,
and Pakistan, to accede to the NPT as "non-nuclear weapon
states" (NNWSs).
The NAC also called for taking further steps for de-alerting
of nuclear
weapons. It requested the granting of legally binding
security assurances
to the NNWS parties to the NPT, arguing it "would fulfill an
undertaking
to those states that have voluntarily given up the nuclear
weapon option
by becoming parties to the Treaty." The NAC expressed
support for
treaties banning the production of fissile material for
nuclear weapons
or other nuclear explosive weapons, and reiterated support
for the CTBT to
enter into force.


7. (U) Brazil: Acknowledged the P5 statement made at the
second NPT
Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) meeting, which stated that
the P5 are
renewing their commitment to fulfilling Article VI of the
NPT. Brazil
welcomed the adoption of the joint ministerial statement on
the CTBT, and
called on states to ratify the Treaty. Brazil stated that,
with New
Zealand, it would submit a resolution on the CTBT. It
expressed support
for the UN Program of Action (PoA) on SA/LW, as well as
consultations on
an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). Brazil reiterated its commitment
to overcoming
the deadlock impairing the disarmament machinery.


8. (U) China: Stated in particular the need to address the
following:
reducing nuclear arsenals, prevention of an arms race in
outer space
(PAROS),and resolving disputes concerning WMD proliferation.
China stated
that it is the only one of the five NWSs that has committed
to no-first-use
of nuclear weapons and non-use of nuclear weapons against
NNWS or NWFZs.
It promoted early entry into force of the CTBT and welcomed
progress made
toward addressing SA/LW issues. It maintained that the
denuclearization of
the Korean Peninsula and a peaceful resolution of the Iranian
nuclear issue
were necessary.


9. (U) Mexico: Called on NWS to destroy their nuclear
arsenals. It also
advocated establishing NWFZs. Mexico urged adopting the
Cluster Munitions
Convention (CMC) and encouraged collection and destruction of
cluster
munitions. It called on states that use cluster munitions to
participate
in the collection and elimination of them. Mexico advocated
implementing
controls to prevent the illicit trade of SA/LW and stated
that it would
promote a legally binding instrument on arms trade.


10. (U) Colombia: Stated that SA/LW trade creates a serious
problem; and called
on states to establish controls. It praised the UN PoA on
SA/LW, as well as
the Third Biennial Meeting of States. Columbia called on
CTBT Annex 2 states
to ratify the Treaty. It expressed support for the
Government Group of Experts
(GGE) on ATT but had hoped for a more ambitious result. It
highlighted its
efforts to negotiate a Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty (FMCT).


11. (U) Jamaica: Called on states to realize a successful
2010 NPT review.
Jamaica encouraged denuclearization of the DPRK. It
advocated establishing
NWFZs, in particular in the Middle East. Jamaica welcomed
the CMC. It
also expressed support for efforts to curb illicit trade of
SA/LW, including
the UN PoA on SA/LW and the Third Biennial Meeting of States.


12. (U) Australia: Called for FMCT negotiations without
preconditions.
Australia highlighted its establishment of an international
commission
on nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament. It praised the
CMC, the UN
PoA on SA/LW, and states efforts to implement the Mine Ban
Convention.
It stated it was encouraged by the bipartisan and realistic
case for
disarmament as set forward by U.S. statesmen Henry Kissinger,
Sam Nunn,
William Perry and George Shultz.


13. (U) Bangladesh: Expressed support for preparations for
the 2010 NPT Review
Conference and the CTBT, and encouraged Annex 2 states to
ratify it.
Bangladesh urged states to eliminate land mine use and
expressed support for
the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons's
(OPCW) efforts to
eliminate chemical weapons. It advocated states' right to
peaceful use of
nuclear energy and called India, Pakistan, and Israel to
disarm. Bangladesh
reiterated the need for PAROS, an ATT, and a FMCT.


14. (U) Right of Reply:

Syria: Replied to the EU statement, which referred to Syria
having an
undeclared nuclear reactor. Syria highlighted the IAEA
Director General's
September 28 statement in which he said Syria cooperated with
the agency
and enabled its inspectors to visit the site and surrounding
areas. Syria
reiterated its call for a NWFZ in the Middle East. It also
accused France
of being responsible for the Israeli nuclear dossier, which
it alleged
destabilized the Middle East.

--------------
10-7, Day 2 - Burma, Indonesia, Switzerland, Japan, Pakistan,
Russia, Bulgaria,
Ukraine, Nigeria, UAE, Canada, Vatican, Iran (Right of
Reply),
Georgia (Right of Reply)
--------------


15. (U) Burma spoke on behalf of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations
(ASEAN): ASEAN expressed support for the September 2007 Final
Declaration
resulting from the Vienna Conference on Facilitating the EIF
of the CTBT.
It called on the remaining states needed for entry into force
to ratify
the Treaty. ASEAN highlighted the tabling in 2007 of the
first resolution
on the Treaty on the South East Asia Nuclear Weapons Free
Zone (SEANWFZ)
and called on NWS to accede to the SEANWFZ protocol. It
regretted that
the 2005 NPT Review Conference did not yield a substantive
result and called
for improved preparations for the 2010 NPT Review Conference.
ASEAN
encouraged states to ratify the CWC and the Biological
Weapons Convention
(BWC),and noted that 156 states had ratified the Ottawa Mine
Ban Treaty.


16. (U) Indonesia: Stated that the international situation
remains uncertain
and is worsening due to the financial crisis. It lamented
the lack of
progress made by the CD and the 2005 NPT Review, and called
for productive
preparation for the 2010 Review. Indonesia praised the
February 2008 Oslo
conference on nuclear disarmament as well as the May 2008
adoption of the
CMC in Dublin. It regretted the Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG)
decision to
grant an unconditional waiver on nuclear export guidelines to
a non-NPT
state (India). It called for states to start negotiations on
the FMCT and
criticized the United States for pursuing an FMCT without
verification.
Indonesia encouraged IAEA involvement in the monitoring and
verification of
U.S. and Russian destruction of nuclear warheads. It also
called on states
to work toward an ATT.


17. (U) Switzerland: Regretted the impasse in the CD but
praised the May 2008
NPT PrepCom meeting and the adoption of the CMC. Switzerland
highlighted as
a priority de-alerting of nuclear forces. It expressed
concern over the NSG
decision to no longer demand the application of full-scope
safeguards as a
condition for nuclear cooperation with India. Switzerland
also bemoaned Iran's
lack of cooperation with the IAEA as well as the DPRK's
decision to resume
uranium enrichment. It encouraged states to comply with the
CWC. As Mine Ban
Treaty President, it will focus on stockpile destruction and
mine clearance.
It welcomed the substantive document from the Third Biennial
Conference
on SA/LW and the GGE report on an ATT.


18. (U) Japan: Stated that uncertainties in some areas seem
to be growing,
noting that nuclear issues relating to Iran and the DPRK
remain unresolved.
As the Group of Eight (G8) President, Japan praised the
inclusion of the
first ever text on nuclear nonproliferation in the G8 Leaders
Declaration
at the G8 Summit in July. It also highlighted its decision
to chair, with
Australia, the International Commission on Nuclear
Non-Proliferation and
Disarmament (ICNND). Japan welcomed the BMS III outcome as
well as the
adoption of the Convention on Cluster Munitions. It
encouraged states
to ratify the CTBT, start negotiations on a FMCT, discuss
further an ATT,
and create a legally binding successor framework to START.
Japan also
called on India to observe its commitments under the recent
NSG decision.


19. (U) Pakistan: Lamented an erosion of arms control and
disarmament, a
reversal of non-proliferation policies of key powers, and a
weakening of
United Nations disarmament institutions. Pakistan criticized
the deployment
of Anti Ballistic Missile (ABM) systems, stating that it
perpetuated
tensions. It also argued that "discriminatory and
shortsighted policies
for access to nuclear technology, for narrow gains" have
undermined the
nonproliferation regime. Pakistan called for states to start
talks on the
FMCT and criticized "some attempts" to pursue it without
verification. It
also urged states to discuss the issue of existing and future
fissile material
stockpiles. Pakistan announced its March 2007 establishment
of the Strategic
Export Control Division (SECDIV) as well as the
implementation of a National
Nuclear Security Action Plan. It conveyed that its energy
needs will exceed
8000 MW by 2030 and reiterated that all its civilian nuclear
reactors were
under IAEA safeguards.


20. (U) Russian Federation: Referred to Georgia's actions
against South Ossetia
as an example of the deficiencies in the European security
architecture.
Russia further criticized the "reckless enlargement of NATO"
and the
"establishment of military bases," including ABM systems near
Russia. It
highlighted the new European security treaty the Russian
Federation presented
during the UN General Assembly General Debate. Russia noted
that it was
working with the United States to create an agreement to
succeed START. It
further criticized plans to deploy a global missile defense,
arguing that it
"creates conditions for launching a disarming nuclear-missile
strike."
Russia stated that U.S. plans to deploy "missile defense
bases" in the Czech
Republic and Poland will have a negative impact. On PAROS,
Russia called for
progress on its February 2008 draft treaty presented to the
CD. It urged
states to ratify the CTBT. Russia stated that the IAEA
Additional Protocol,
which it signed in 2007, should become a universally accepted
standard. It
supported work on the CWC and BWC. Russia stated that the
GGE decision on
an ATT could contribute substantially to identify "the main
problems and
identify how to solve them." However, it added that "that
kind of elaborate
work" is necessary before it makes any decision on "new
arrangements" on
arms transfers.


21. (U) Bulgaria: Stated that the entry into force of the
CTBT is indispensable
and underscored the importance of the CCW. Bulgaria
highlighted its
participation in the GGE on cluster munitions in the CCW and
its work on
cluster munitions, in particular the co-hosting of a regional
conference on
that issue. It advocated the implementation of the UN PoA on
SA/LW and the
adoption of an ATT.


22. (U) Ukraine: Called for wider adherence to and more
effective
implementation of the CWC and BWC. Ukraine stated its
support for NPT
implementation, NWFZs, and states' right to peaceful use of
nuclear energy.
It welcomed the outcome of the second session of the 2010 NPT
review PrepCom.
Ukraine advocated more action on countering SA/LW,
negotiating an ATT, and
universalizing the CTBT. It stated that it was ready see the
entry into force
of the CCW.


23. (U) Nigeria: Praised the CTBT and Mine Ban Convention
negotiations, as well
as NPT extension. It lamented the failures of the 2005 NPT
review and UN PoA
on SA/LW, the impasse at the CD, and ambivalence toward a
FMCT. Nigeria urged
NWS to accord negative security assurances (NSAs) to NNWS.
It highlighted its
support for NWFZs and reaffirmed its commitment to the UN PoA
on SA/LW. It
noted its accession to the UN Protocol against Illicit
Manufacturing of and
Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and
Ammunition.


24. (U) United Arab Emirates: Called for launching
international security
cooperation based on international law and the UN Charter.
The UAE
reiterated its support for the 2010 NPT review and urged
states to pursue
goals based on the rule of law and multilateralism. The UAE
called for states
to eliminate "military arsenal(s)" and to sign/ratify the
CTBT. It asked all
parties working to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue to be
flexible and called
on the international community to pressure Israel to accede
to the NPT.


25. (U) Canada: Welcomed the CMC and hoped that it would
facilitate a new CCW
protocol on cluster munitions. It noted the inability of
some states to
comply with the Mine Ban Conventions Articles 4 and 5.
Canada expressed hope
for a successful 2010 NPT review and offered to act as a
bridge-builder
between NWS and NNWS. It praised its efforts to prevent
terrorists from
acquiring WMD. Canada commended the outcome of the Third
Biennial Meeting of
States, and Canada expressed support for an ATT. It
regretted the DPRK's
halting of Yongbyon dismantlement and Iran's failure to
comply with
international obligations. It complained of "a small handful
of countries"
that "blocked" a FMCT.


26. (U) Vatican: Praised the CMC, called for NPT compliance,
and urged the
entry into force of the CTBT. The Holy See expressed
support for a fourth
special session of the General Assembly on disarmament. It
complained of
the uncertainty regarding the CD's program of work and the
possibility of
an ATT.

Rights of Reply:


27. (U) Iran: Addressed the EU statement, which equated
Security Council
statements with those of the international community. Iran
stated that
the NAM statement, which expressed support for the peaceful
use of nuclear
energy, was a more accurate representation of the opinion of
the
international community. It argued that enrichment
suspension was illegal
and in contravention of the NPT. Iran said that France had
stated that it
had not replied to IAEA questions, when it in fact had
resolved
"all outstanding issues."


28. (U) Georgia (followed by Russia): Addressed Russia's
remarks, accusing
Georgia of implementing a policy of "territorial expansions."
Georgia defended
its actions in South Ossetia, stating that 150,000 Georgians
were displaced
and that the remaining residents were vulnerable. It added
that ethnic
cleansing had occurred and accused Russia of using cluster
bombs. Russia
responded stating that it was tired of "vilification, fiction
and lies about
the terrible events that have occurred." Georgia replied a
final time,
stating that Russia had provided false information and called
it out for not
responding to Georgia's offer to participate in an "impartial
investigation."
Khalilzad