Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09USUNNEWYORK1030
2009-11-13 18:43:00
UNCLASSIFIED
USUN New York
Cable title:  

64TH UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE THEMATIC DEBATE:

Tags:  CD CDG PARM PREL UNGA 
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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


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