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Created
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08USUNNEWYORK996
2008-10-31 21:19:00
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USUN New York
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63RD UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE (UNFC): DAY ONE, TWO AND

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FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUCNDSC/DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE COLLECTIVE
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UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000996 

SIPDIS

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

This is UNFC-5

---------------------------------------------
C1 Days 1, 2 and 3 10-14, 10-15 and 10-16
Thematic Debate on Nuclear Weapons - Summary
---------------------------------------------

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000996

SIPDIS

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

This is UNFC-5

--------------
C1 Days 1, 2 and 3 10-14, 10-15 and 10-16
Thematic Debate on Nuclear Weapons - Summary
--------------


1. (U) Summary: The First Committee on Disarmament and
International Security conducted its thematic debate on
nuclear weapons from October 14 to 16. This summary
comprises statements from all three days (October 14, 15 and
16) of the debate. On Day 1, representatives from the
following states spoke: France on behalf of the EU, Lebanon
on behalf of the Arab Group, Brazil on behalf of the Southern
Common Market (MERCOSUR),Indonesia on behalf of the
Nonaligned Movement (NAM),Kyrgyzstan on behalf of Central
Asia, Canada, and South Africa. In a right of reply, Syria
responded to France's statement on behalf of the EU referring
to Syria's construction of an undeclared nuclear reactor,
stating that it adhered to the Nuclear Nonproliferation
Treaty (NPT) and the IAEA. On Day 2, representatives from
the following international organizations opened the debate,
followed by additional statements by states' representatives:
United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA),
Conference on Disarmament (CD),Organization for the
Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW),Preparatory
Commission of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty
Organization (CTBTO),International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA),Australia, Chile, Norway, Pakistan, Japan, Austria,
Russia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Cuba, and Kuwait. In a right
of reply, Syria responded to Australia's statement on Syria's
undeclared nuclear reactor, defending its record of
compliance and stating that Australia ignored the threat of
Israel's nuclear weapons. On Day 3, representatives from the
following states spoke: South Africa on behalf of the New
Agenda Coalition (NAC),United Kingdom, Mongolia, United
States, China, United Arab Emirates, Mexico, Turkey,
Bangladesh, Burma, Republic of Korea (ROK),Algeria,
Kazakhstan, Egypt, Qatar, India, Switzerland, and the
Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

--------------
10/14, Day 1 - France on behalf of the EU,
Lebanon on behalf of the Arab Group,
Brazil on behalf of (MERCOSUR),Indonesia
on behalf of the NAM, Kyrgyzstan on behalf

of Central Asia, Canada, and South Africa
--------------


2. (U) France on behalf of the EU: Called for strengthening
disarmament and nonproliferation treaties and agreements by
negotiating new treaties, such as the Fissile Material Cutoff
Treaty (FMCT). It stated that the 2010 NPT Review Conference
should include measures to discourage states from withdrawing
from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT). The EU urged
the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and the Zangger Commission
to share with states their experiences with export controls


with non-nuclear weapons states (NNWS) to help address
increasing trade in nuclear-related items. It stated it
supported further progress on U.S.-Russian efforts to
establish a post-START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty)
arrangement and reduce nuclear weapon stockpiles.


3. (U) Lebanon on behalf of the Arab Group: Stated that
establishing a Middle East nuclear weapons free zone (NWFZ)
was of the utmost importance. The Group added that Israel's
non-adherence to the NPT was a deterrent to ridding the
region of nuclear weapons. It called on all states to comply
with the NPT, emphasizing that all Arab Group states abide by
it.


4. (U) Brazil on behalf of MERCOSUR: Argued that the
indefinite extension of the NPT did not entail the indefinite
possession of nuclear weapons by nuclear weapon states (NWS).
MERCOSUR called on states that have not yet signed or
ratified the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) to do so.
It also called on states to sign or ratify the treaties
establishing NWFZs.


5. (U) Indonesia on behalf of the NAM: Expressed concern
about NWS' resistance to eliminating nuclear arsenals and
about certain strategic defense doctrines, such as the NATO
Alliance Strategic Concept. The NAM stated in particular
that the United States improved existing nuclear weapons and
envisaged new weapons as part of its nuclear posture review.
The NAM alleged that these actions contravened security
assurances by the United States. The NAM called on the
United States and Russia to further reduce nuclear arsenals
and added that reductions in deployments and operational
status were not substitutes. The NAM also said that it was
concerned about the deployment of anti-ballistic missile
(ABM) defense systems.


6. (U) Kyrgyzstan on behalf of Central Asia: Stated that an
important part of the Central Asian NWFZ (CANWFZ) was for NWS
to provide security assurances to NNWS. The Central Asia
Group praised the CANWFZ as a breakthrough in the stalemate
in disarmament discussions. The Group added that parliaments
of several governments had moved "forward toward supporting"
the CANWFZ.


7. (U) Canada: Highlighted what it deemed successes in arms
control and disarmament. Canada mentioned the United
Kingdom's plans to reduce its strategic arsenal and develop,
with Norway, a project to determine how an agreement to
eliminate nuclear weapons could be verified. Canada also
mentioned that the United States' dismantling efforts were
ahead of schedule. It welcomed the five new CTBT
"ratifiers:" the Bahamas, Barbados, Malaysia, Burundi, and
Colombia. It noted North Korea's readmission of inspectors
and recommencement of disablement.


8. (U) South Africa: Argued that negative security assurances
(NSAs) from NWS were a key element of the NPT. South Africa


also advocated for early entry into force of the CTBT. It
expressed disappointment with the CD's inability to begin
negotiations on a Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty (FMCT).


9. (U) Rights of Reply:

Syria (followed by France): Addressed France's statement on
behalf of the EU in which it referenced France's October 6
remark stating that Syria maintained an undeclared nuclear
reactor. Syria noted that it adhered to the NPT and the
IAEA, and mentioned a September 2008 IAEA letter highlighting
Syria's compliance. France responded, stating that the EU
hoped that Syria would continue cooperating with the IAEA.

--------------
10/15, Day 2 - United Nations Office
for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA),
Conference on Disarmament (CD),
Organization for the Prohibition of
Chemical Weapons (OPCW),Preparatory
Commission of the Comprehensive
Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO),
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),
Australia, Chile, Norway, Pakistan, Japan,
Austria, Russia, New Zealand, Indonesia,
Cuba, and Kuwait
--------------


10. (U) Opening Remarks: UNODA (Sergio Duarte, United Nations
High Representative for Disarmament Affairs) characterized
the state of disarmament and arms control as "unstable."
UNODA stated that a lack of any multilateral legal
obligations in certain fields, e.g. missiles, created
challenges for related legal regimes, such as the NPT and
CTBT. The CD's Deputy Secretary General, Tim Caughley,
stated that it had come closer to a program of work. It
considered its main development of 2008 to be the proposal by
the six presidents to address the Conference's agenda
priorities. The OPCW's Director General, Ambassador Rogelio
Pfirter, stated as of September 2008 that it had verified the
destruction of 41.25 percent of declared Category 1 chemical
weapon stockpiles, 51.8 percent of declared Category 2
chemical weapon stockpiles, and 100 percent of declared
Category 3 chemical weapon stockpiles. The CTBTO Prepcom's
Executive Secretary, Tibor Toth, reported that it now had 180
members and nearly 70 percent of the International Monitoring
System had been certified. On verification, he noted its
participation in Kazakhstan's integrated field exercise. The
IAEA's Representative of the Director General, Gustavo
Zlauvinen, stated that 30 NPT NNWS had not yet entered into
force comprehensive safeguards agreements and more than 100
states had not yet acceded to the Additional Protocols. It
added that it evaluated more than 160 states and applied
safeguards to more than 950 nuclear facilities and
installations.


11. (U) Australia: It welcomed the nuclear warhead reductions


that the United States and Russia carried out and added that
further cuts beyond the "Moscow Treaty" would be necessary.
Australia lamented that nine Annex 2 states had yet to ratify
the CTBT. It expressed support for the recent U.S.-DPRK
agreement and noted the U.S. removal of the DPRK from the
U.S. State Sponsors of Terrorism list.


12. (U) Chile: It highlighted the importance of the
Kissinger, Shultz, Nunn, and Perry Wall Street Journal
articles that Chile stated recognized the need to move toward
disarmament. Chile called on states to move toward entry
into force of the CTBT and to take additional steps to
"elaborate" on the FMCT.


13. (U) Norway: Norway underscored the February 2008 Oslo
recommendations, including the need to move toward
establishing non-discriminatory fuel cycle arrangements in
cooperation with the IAEA. It also welcomed the
Australian-Japanese high-level commission on disarmament and
nonproliferation.


14. (U) Pakistan: Called on states to enable the CD to
address its agenda items, including prevention of an arms
race in outer space (PAROS),as well as a verifiable FMCT.
It urged NWS to provide NSAs to NNWS. Pakistan stated that
it opposed unfair restrictions on states' rights to use
nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.


15. (U) Japan: It stated that the Group of Eight (G8)
Leaders' Declaration, for the first time, called on states to
reduce nuclear weapon stockpiles. Japan praised France for
having done so, and encouraged the United States and Russia
to implement the Moscow Treaty and negotiate a successor to
the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START). Japan noted the
recent U.S.-DPRK agreement and reaffirmed its commitment to
the Six Party negotiations.


16. (U) Austria: Austria, in a slightly veiled reference to
the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation Initiative, lamented
the NSG's decision regarding an export control exemption for
a non-NPT member state. It argued that the exemption called
into question whether the international community accorded
the Treaty the same priority it did 10 years ago. Austria
advocated advancing "multilateralization" of the nuclear fuel
cycle, and as a first step, creating an international fuel
reserve under IAEA auspices.


17. (U) Russia: Stated that it had been negotiating with the
current U.S. Administration for over three years to create an
accord to replace START. Russia called on states, mentioning
in particular the nine Annex 2 states, to sign or ratify the
CTBT. It expressed support for the CANWFZ and SEANWFZ.
Russia deemed "fundamental" NWS' granting of NSAs to NNWS,
and added that it had provided such assurances to over 100
states.


18. (U) New Zealand: Reiterated that its focus would remain


on the NPT and advocated states' pursuit of confidence
building measures (CBMs),such as systematized nuclear
accounting and nuclear weapons de-alerting. It stated it
would again propose a resolution on de-alerting. New Zealand
re-confirmed its commitment to the Proliferation Security
Initiative (PSI). It noted that last year it joined the
Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism.


19. (U) Indonesia: Indonesia called on NWS to move away from
rhetoric and take steps toward disarmament, adding that
interim measures such as nuclear weapons de-alerting would be
necessary. It argued that nuclear cooperation between NPT
parties and non-parties will undermine the Treaty.


20. (U) Cuba: Stated that of the approximately 32,300 nuclear
weapons in existence, over 12,000 were ready for immediate
use, and argued that it was an incentive for proliferation.
Cuba emphasized the importance of the International Court of
Justice's (ICJ's) 1996 opinion on the obligation to pursue in
good faith and to bring to a conclusion negotiations leading
to disarmament. Cuba reiterated it considered nuclear
weapons "illegal" and "immoral."


21. (U) Kuwait: Expressed support for a Middle East NWFZ and
called on Israel to accede to the NPT. Kuwait stated that
current scope of global and regional challenges made it
adhere more to international instruments and relevant
disarmament agreements.


22. (U) Right of Reply:

Syria: Responded to Australia's statement in which it accused
Syria of constructing an undeclared nuclear reactor. Syria
chastised Australia for ignoring the threat of Israel's
nuclear weapons, its continued violation of international
law, and aggression against Syria. Syria stated that
Australia should have commended Syria for its compliance and
condemned Israel for its refusal to join the NPT.

-------------- --------------
10/16, Day 3 - South Africa on behalf of the New Agenda
Coalition (NAC),United Kingdom, Mongolia, United States,
China, United Arab Emirates, Mexico, Turkey, Bangladesh,
Burma, Republic of Korea (ROK),Algeria, Kazakhstan,
Egypt, Qatar, India, Switzerland, and the Democratic
People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)
-------------- --------------


23. (U) South Africa on behalf of the NAC: Introduced the
NAC's draft resolution on nuclear disarmament and
nonproliferation. The NAC stated that it would accelerate
implementation of nuclear disarmament agreements stemming
from the 1995 and 2005 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT)
Review Conferences (RevCons).


24. (U) United Kingdom: Stated that it made substantial
progress toward fulfilling NPT Article VI obligations, adding


that it had dismantled maritime nuclear capability and the WE
177 nuclear bomb and terminated nuclear Lance missiles and
artillery roles. The United Kingdom highlighted that it was
the only NWS to reduce its deterrent capability to a single
nuclear weapon system. It added that it reduced its nuclear
warhead stockpile to fewer than 160, as well as the
operability status of its remaining weapons. Regarding its
Trident submarine in particular, the United Kingdom stated
that it was at several days "notice to fire." To explore
further nuclear disarmament measures, including challenges to
technical verification, the United Kingdom noted that it had
discussed hosting a P-5 (United States, United Kingdom,
France, Russia and China) conference. It welcomed the
U.S.-Russian announcement to work on a successor to the
Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START).


25. (U) Mongolia: Focused on the importance of states'
cooperation with the IAEA to make more effective and bolster
the safeguards system, as well as strengthen the IAEA's legal
authority. Mongolia also addressed the promotion of NWFZs,
stating that two of the five had yet to enter into force.
Mongolia called for a study on existing NWFZs, addressing,
for example, what role they have played and how they can
build confidence. It stated that it was establishing a
single-state NWFZ and had presented, in 2007, a trilateral
treaty to its neighbors to define and institutionalize that
status. It added that it would table a draft resolution of a
"procedural nature" on that issue.


26. (U) China: Reiterated its commitment to no first use of
nuclear weapons or non-use of nuclear weapons against NNWS or
NWFZs. China advocated early entry into force and
ratification of the CTBT, adding that it would honor its
commitment to a moratorium on nuclear tests. China called on
the "two states (United States and Russia) with the largest
nuclear arsenals" to reduce them further. China also urged
states to repatriate weapons they had positioned elsewhere
(Note: The United States is the only state that has nuclear
weapons stationed outside of its borders. End Note).


27. (U) United Arab Emirates: Advocated a Middle East NWFZ
and called on Israel to comply with the NPT RevCon's 1995
Middle East resolution, as well as the relevant UN
resolutions. It also urged Iran to continue cooperating with
the IAEA and the international community to dispel doubts
about its nuclear program.


28. (U) Mexico: Stated that states cannot select "a la carte"
which commitments to honor and which to disregard, and added
that it rejected discriminatory application of the NPT.
Mexico also stated that some states are giving priority to
nonproliferation over disarmament and warned that unless they
corrected that imbalance, paralysis of the disarmament
machinery would continue. It stated that the Agency for the
Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the
Caribbean (OPANAL) would hold a second meeting in May to
strengthen cooperation among states parties to NWFZ Treaties.




29. (U) Turkey: Stated that early entry into force of the
CTBT was essential, called on Annex 2 states to sign or
ratify it, and welcomed Iraq's signing. Turkey stated that
it would continue to contribute to the IAEA's work during its
Board of Governors tenure. It also stated that it supported
in principle a Middle East NWFZ. Turkey expressed support
for the Conference on Disarmament's (CD's) efforts to realize
Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty (FMCT) negotiations. It
expressed appreciation for NPT states parties' efforts to
reduce their nuclear stockpiles. Turkey welcomed the recent
U.S.-DPRK agreement on verification measures.


30. (U) Bangladesh: Argued for building upon the 13 practical
steps that the 2000 NPT RevCon adopted. Bangladesh
highlighted it was the first South Asian state to sign and
ratify the CTBT and added that it had also concluded IAEA
safeguard agreements. It appealed to the Annex 2 states to
sign or ratify the CTBT. Bangladesh reiterated its support
for NWFZs in South Asia and the Middle East.


31. (U) Burma: Called on states to implement the 13 practical
steps and introduced a draft resolution to that effect,
entitled Nuclear Disarmament. Burma stated that it had the
support of all Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
states, many NAM states, as well as others. Burma emphasized
the importance of the ICJ's 1996 opinion on states'
obligation to pursue in good faith and to bring to a
conclusion negotiations leading to disarmament.


32. (U) Republic of Korea: Stated that a gap existed between
NWS and NNWS and called on states to implement NPT Article
VI. The ROK acknowledged U.S. and Russian nuclear arsenal
reductions and welcomed France and the UK's unilateral
measures to do the same. Regarding the North Korea nuclear
issue, the ROK praised the U.S. action to remove the DPRK
from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list and hoped that such
measures would move forward the Six Party negotiations.


33. (U) Algeria: Reiterated that NNWS have the right to
legally binding guarantees of the non-use or threat of use of
nuclear weapons from NWS. Algeria advocated the creation of
NWFZs to strengthen the nonproliferation regime and
disarmament efforts.


34. (U) Kazakhstan: Stated that the September 2008
Semipalatinsk on-site inspection field exercise to detect
nuclear tests demonstrated its commitment to disarmament and
nonproliferation. Kazakhstan added that the Preparatory
Commission of the CTBTO used the site for a project and added
that it had become a "neutral strip" for resolving sensitive
issues. It noted that it had become a party to the
International Center for Uranium Enrichment, which it hoped
would facilitate international cooperation on a shared
nuclear fuel supply.


35. (U) Egypt: Introduced two draft resolutions, one calling


for the establishment of a NWFZ in the Middle East and the
other addressing the risk of nuclear proliferation in that
region.


36. (U) Qatar: Praised its adherence to the NPT and CTBT.
Qatar expressed support for resolutions relating to creating
NWFZs, as well as those including Security Council
resolutions calling on Israel to adhere to the NPT.


37. (U) India: Reiterated its commitment to former PM Rajiv
Gandhi's 1988 "Action Plan for Ushering in a Nuclear-Weapon
Free and Non-Violent World Order," and added that it held a
June 2008 Conference to mark the 20th anniversary of the
Plan. India noted the Kissinger, Shultz, Perry, and Nunn
Wall Street Journal articles on the need to work toward
disarmament. It stated that it would introduce three
resolutions: a convention on the prohibition of the use of
nuclear weapons, reducing nuclear danger, and measures to
prevent terrorists from acquiring WMD.


38. (U) Switzerland: Praised France for inviting observers to
witness the dismantlement of its former fissile material
production sites and called on other NWS to increase
transparency. It stated that it found it difficult to
understand how NWS could speak about disarmament while
building new types of nuclear weapons, an action it deemed
counter to NPT Article VI. Switzerland stated that the
Nuclear Suppliers Group's decision to permit nuclear supplies
to India could be considered "constructive" but raised
questions about the future of the NPT regime.


39. (U) Democratic People's Republic of Korea: The DPRK
lamented that the threat of nuclear weapons from NWS against
NNWS was growing. It emphasized that the final goal of the
Six Party negotiations was to denuclearize the Korean
peninsula, and not to unilaterally disarm the DPRK. It
accused Japan of being the only country that refuses to
comply with the Six Party negotiations and added that its
presence was unnecessary. Regarding UN Security Council
resolutions 1695 (2006) and 1718 (2006),the DPRK stated that
they were products of the Security Council's
"irresponsibility and unfairness."
Khalilzad