64TH UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE THEMATIC DEBATE:

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 USUN NEW YORK 001030 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CD CDG PARM PREL UNGA SUBJECT: 64TH UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE THEMATIC DEBATE: CONVENTIONAL ARMS - PART 2 USUN NEW Y 00001030 001.2 OF 003 ¶1. (U) The UN First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) conducted its thematic debate on conventional weapons from October 23 to 28. Most delegations raised 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). ¶2. Algeria (U) Algeria noted the negative impact that the illicit trade in SA/LW has on peace and regional security. It said that an ATT should be negotiated in accordance with international law. Algeria supports the ban on antipersonnel landmines. ¶3. Pakistan (U) Pakistan noted that military expenditures world-wide amounted to 1.465 trillion dollars. It stated that conventional arms sales affect regional and sub-regional security by creating imbalances among states. It said that an ATT must allow for the right of all states to manufacture, import, export, transfer and retain arms for self-defense and security. ¶4. Indonesia (U) Indonesia noted the effect that the illicit trade of SA/LW has on peace and security but warned that the legitimate right of states to provide for self-defense must not be impinged by an ATT. ¶5. Democratic Republic of the Congo (U) The DRC noted the effects that the illicit trade of SALW and the use of land mines has on the civilian population. It has been active with the UN program to collect and destroy small arms. ¶6. The Netherlands (U) The Netherlands noted the devastating effect that the illicit trade in SA/LW has on the daily life of people throughout the world and the link between armed violence and a lack of development. The Netherlands said that it supports an ATT and that it will destroy all cluster munitions and land mines that it has in its inventory. ¶7. China (U) China said it supports the CCW, especially against weapons that have humanitarian impact such as cluster munitions and land mines. It noted the effect of the illicit trade in SA/LW has on regional security and supports the UN program of action on SA/LW. ¶8. Costa Rica on behalf of Central American Integration System (SICA) (U) Costa Rica on behalf of SICA stated that arms control was an integral part of the regional agenda and that illicit trafficking of SA/LW causes humanitarian issues, violence and instability. It supports an ATT. It drew attention to the code of conduct among Central American states in arms transfers. It supports the antipersonnel land mine ban, noting that except for Nicaragua, Central America has been declared land mine free. ¶9. Slovenia (U) Slovenia called for a strengthening of the CCW and the ban on antipersonnel land mines. It called for the early USUN NEW Y 00001030 002.2 OF 003 entry into force of the cluster munitions ban and supports a robust ATT. ¶10. Switzerland (U) Switzerland advocated setting parameters for an ATT and attaches importance to the UN register of conventional arms and said it regrets that the UN experts group was unable to add SA/LW to the register. It supports a cluster munitions ban and the convention on anti-personnel land mines. ¶11. France (U) France noted the destabilizing effect of SA/LW that causes 500,000 deaths and 300,000 injuries per year and stated that arms control required that states exercise responsibility, act with transparency, and respect international humanitarian laws. France regretted that small arms is not the eighth category of weapons in the UN registry. It supports and ATT and the convention on cluster munitions. ¶12. Malawi (U) Malawi noted that the proliferation of SA/LW has a devastating impact on civilians around the world and the economies of developing countries. It supports the UN program of action on SA/LW and the antipersonnel land mine ban. ¶13. Uruguay spoke on behalf of MERCOSUR (U) Uruguay said that MERCOSUR supports the UN program of action on SA/LW but noted that the non-binding aspect of the program makes its effective implementation challenging. It called for more effective ways of tracking SA/LW and a total ban on cluster munitions and anti-personnel mines. ¶14. Jamaica (U) Jamaica noted the impact that the illicit small arms trade has on civilians in developing countries and how drug trafficking and organized crime benefit from this trade. It supports the UN program of action on SA/LW and an ATT. ¶15. Kenya (U) Kenya noted the impact of SA/LW on civilian populations, crime, development and economic investment. It said that increased spending on the security apparatus to deal with SA/LW came at the expense of economic activity. It supports the ban on cluster munitions and antipersonnel land mines. ¶16. Sudan (U) Sudan advocated the elimination of SA/LW and stockpiles of ammunition. It called for funding of the UN program of action on SA/LW to promote tracing and marking of weapons. It said that producer states have a responsibility not to export in an uncontrolled fashion. ¶17. India (U) India stated that SA/LW pose a grave danger to states, particularly when used by non-state actors, and they cause regional instability. It will purse the goal of a non-discriminatory and global ban on land mines. It supports an ATT that is transparently developed and does not impede a state's right to self-defense. ¶18. Philippines USUN NEW Y 00001030 003.2 OF 003 (U) Philippines said it supports the UN program of action on SA/LW. It called on producer states only to supply "responsible governments" and to strictly use international instruments to identify and trace illicit arms. It supports the CCW, the antipersonnel land mine ban and an ATT. ¶19. Iran (U) Iran noted the inalienable right of states to defend themselves. It said that it developed an indigenous missile program for self-defense due to restrictions by "certain powers" during the Iraq - Iran war. Iran said it supports a non-discriminatory and comprehensive approach to dealing with missiles, and stated that the CCW only takes into account the narrow interest of a few states. It called on the reduction of arms transfers to the Middle East, citing the instability it causes. It stated that Israel receives too many offensive weapons. ¶20. Congo - Brazzaville (U) Congo noted the effect of SA/LW on the civilian population. It supports a legally binding and non-discriminatory ATT that recognizes states' rights to self-defense but restricts excessive stockpiling. It supports the ban on antipersonnel land mines and appealed to states for financial help in clearing of these mines. ¶21. New Zealand (U) New Zealand urged progress on the full range of conventional weapons issues, particularly mines and the illicit trade of SA/LW. It advocated a strong ATT that would severely impact the illicit trade of SA/LW. Rice