Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09USUNNEWYORK1029
2009-11-13 18:43:00
UNCLASSIFIED
USUN New York
Cable title:
64TH UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE THEMATIC DEBATE:
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 001029
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CD CDG PARM PREL UNGA
SUBJECT: 64TH UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE THEMATIC DEBATE:
CONVENTIONAL ARMS - PART 3
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 001029
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CD CDG PARM PREL UNGA
SUBJECT: 64TH UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE THEMATIC DEBATE:
CONVENTIONAL ARMS - PART 3
1. (U) The UN First Committee (Disarmament and International
Security) conducted its thematic debate on conventional
weapons from October 23 to 28. The issues of the illicit
trade in small arms and light weapons (SA/LW),an Arms Trade
Treaty (ATT) and elements of the Convention on Certain
Conventional Weapons (CCW) were brought up by most
delegations.
2. Israel
(U) Israel stated that there needs to be a balance between
legitimate self defense and excessive stockpiling of SA/LW.
It pointed to transfers to extremist and terrorist groups
such as Hezbullah and Hamas by Iran and Syria. Israel said
it gives priority to UN bans and resolutions about arms
transfers. It supports an ATT that has a high standard for
export controls, allows decisions on exports to remain the
sovereign right of states and restricts transfers to
terrorist organizations.
3. Senegal
(U) Senegal equated SA/LW with weapons of mass destruction
(WMD) because of their link to crime, terrorism and slowing
the pace of development. It called for an ATT to include all
types of weapons. It supports the ban on antipersonnel
landmines.
4. Ethiopia
(U) Ethiopia noted the effect that SA/LW has on Africa
calling it the true WMD. It stated that it is working to
prevent the illicit trade in SA/LW in the Great Lakes Region
and the Horn of Africa.
5. Austria
(U) Austria noted that SA/LW were the true WMD, pointed out
that they kill hundreds of thousands of people per year, and
stated that Australia was working with countries in Africa on
the issue. Australia supports the ATT and calls on all
states to accede to the mine ban treaty and convention on
cluster munitions. It supports the ban on antipersonnel
landmines and assistance to victims of landmines.
6. Nigeria speaking for the African group
(U) Nigeria said the African Group supports international
action towards a legally binding ATT anchored in the
principles of the UN Charter, and said it should be an
efficient tool to combat the illicit trade in conventional
weapons.
7. Tanzania
(U) Tanzania noted that conventional weapons caused
instability on the African continent and were contributory
factors in illegitimate and unconstitutional changes of
governments. It urged governments to fight the illicit trade
in SA/LW. It supported an ATT and pointed to the negative
impact of the rise of military expenditures at a time of
humanitarian need.
8. Morocco
(U) Morocco is concerned about the prevalence of illicit
SA/LW, especially in Africa and said it supports the UN
program of action on SA/LW. It stated that the ATT should
not affect the rights of states to procure weapons for
self-defense.
9. Burkina Faso
(U) Burkina Faso noted that SA/LW undermines the
socio-economic development of countries, and in the fragile
context in post-conflict situations, were one of the main
obstacles to peace building strategies and the demobilization
of former combatants. It called on all states to fight the
illicit trade of SA/LW.
10. (U) Right of Reply: Syria responded to Israel's
USUN NEW Y 00001029 002 OF 002
statements stating that Israel "tried to misinform the
committee about Syrian arms transfers to Lebanon." It said
that Israel was violating Lebanese territory and has not
provided information where it planted mines and dropped
cluster munitions.
Rice
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CD CDG PARM PREL UNGA
SUBJECT: 64TH UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE THEMATIC DEBATE:
CONVENTIONAL ARMS - PART 3
1. (U) The UN First Committee (Disarmament and International
Security) conducted its thematic debate on conventional
weapons from October 23 to 28. The issues of the illicit
trade in small arms and light weapons (SA/LW),an Arms Trade
Treaty (ATT) and elements of the Convention on Certain
Conventional Weapons (CCW) were brought up by most
delegations.
2. Israel
(U) Israel stated that there needs to be a balance between
legitimate self defense and excessive stockpiling of SA/LW.
It pointed to transfers to extremist and terrorist groups
such as Hezbullah and Hamas by Iran and Syria. Israel said
it gives priority to UN bans and resolutions about arms
transfers. It supports an ATT that has a high standard for
export controls, allows decisions on exports to remain the
sovereign right of states and restricts transfers to
terrorist organizations.
3. Senegal
(U) Senegal equated SA/LW with weapons of mass destruction
(WMD) because of their link to crime, terrorism and slowing
the pace of development. It called for an ATT to include all
types of weapons. It supports the ban on antipersonnel
landmines.
4. Ethiopia
(U) Ethiopia noted the effect that SA/LW has on Africa
calling it the true WMD. It stated that it is working to
prevent the illicit trade in SA/LW in the Great Lakes Region
and the Horn of Africa.
5. Austria
(U) Austria noted that SA/LW were the true WMD, pointed out
that they kill hundreds of thousands of people per year, and
stated that Australia was working with countries in Africa on
the issue. Australia supports the ATT and calls on all
states to accede to the mine ban treaty and convention on
cluster munitions. It supports the ban on antipersonnel
landmines and assistance to victims of landmines.
6. Nigeria speaking for the African group
(U) Nigeria said the African Group supports international
action towards a legally binding ATT anchored in the
principles of the UN Charter, and said it should be an
efficient tool to combat the illicit trade in conventional
weapons.
7. Tanzania
(U) Tanzania noted that conventional weapons caused
instability on the African continent and were contributory
factors in illegitimate and unconstitutional changes of
governments. It urged governments to fight the illicit trade
in SA/LW. It supported an ATT and pointed to the negative
impact of the rise of military expenditures at a time of
humanitarian need.
8. Morocco
(U) Morocco is concerned about the prevalence of illicit
SA/LW, especially in Africa and said it supports the UN
program of action on SA/LW. It stated that the ATT should
not affect the rights of states to procure weapons for
self-defense.
9. Burkina Faso
(U) Burkina Faso noted that SA/LW undermines the
socio-economic development of countries, and in the fragile
context in post-conflict situations, were one of the main
obstacles to peace building strategies and the demobilization
of former combatants. It called on all states to fight the
illicit trade of SA/LW.
10. (U) Right of Reply: Syria responded to Israel's
USUN NEW Y 00001029 002 OF 002
statements stating that Israel "tried to misinform the
committee about Syrian arms transfers to Lebanon." It said
that Israel was violating Lebanese territory and has not
provided information where it planted mines and dropped
cluster munitions.
Rice