64TH UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE BEGINS GENERAL DEBATE:

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 USUN NEW YORK 000950 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CD CDG KN PARM PREL UNGA SUBJECT: 64TH UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE BEGINS GENERAL DEBATE: OVER 100 SPEAKERS - DAY 2 REF: USUN XXX 1.(U) Summary: The UNGA first committee conducted its general debate on disarmament and international security issues on October 5. This summary comprises day 2 of the general debate (October 6) ¶2. Republic of Korea South Korea noted the "growing expectations for progress in the field of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation," citing the five point plan put forth by Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, President Obama's vision of a world free of nuclear weapons, the adoption of a program of work for the CD, and prospective entry into force of the CTBT. It called for the central role of the NPT to be reinforced. Korea noted that the DPRK and Iranian nuclear issues pose a pressing challenge to the international non-proliferation regime. It called for the DPRK to rejoin the six party talks and abandon all its nuclear weapons. Korea was encouraged by the recent talks between Iran and the P5 plus 1 held in Geneva. It stated that Korea believed that conventional weapons warrant the constant attention of the international community. ¶3. Brazil Brazil said it was encouraged by the re-launching of strategic talks between the U.S. and Russia and the adoption of a program of work for the CD. It called for all countries to abide by their obligations to the NPT, but warned that "efforts to impose additional responsibilities on non-nuclear-weapon states, coupled with selective implementation of existing disarmament commitments, will affect the credibility of the regime and undermine its effectiveness". Brazil supported an international, legally binding instrument that would allow states to identify and track SA/LW. It also called for a conventional arms trade treaty that would regulate the legal trade of arms. This treaty would define criteria and responsibilities among export, import and transit countries yet "not affect the right of states to manufacture, import export, transfer and retain such weapons and ammunition". ¶4. Japan Japan noted the improved atmosphere in disarmament citing negotiations toward a new START treaty, the recent Security Council resolution on disarmament, and President Obama's speech in Prague. It stated that NWS must take concrete measures to reduce their nuclear arsenals and NNWS must comply with non-proliferation obligations. Japan warned against terrorists acquiring nuclear weapons and another failed NPT review conference. It called for entry into force of the CTBT without delay and immediate commencement of FMCT negotiations Japan stated that the DPRK's nuclear tests and missile launches were a serious threat to peace in the region. It noted with concern Iran's recent disclosure of the Qom facility, but was encouraged by the negotiations between the EU3 plus 3 and Iran in Geneva. Japan called for treaties on cluster munitions, SA/LW, anti-personnel landmines and an arms trade treaty. ¶5. China China noted that the atmosphere is changing and that multilateralism is needed to move forward. It endorsed continued U.S. and Russian negotiations toward reduction of their nuclear arsenals. It called for the international community to "negotiate and conclude an international legal instrument on security assurances for Non Nuclear Weapon States as early as possible. NWS should negotiate and conclude a treaty on no-first-use of nuclear weapons against one another". China called for the early entry into force of the CTBT and early commencement of negotiations on FMCT. It called for a strengthening of the IAEA but an end to the practice of double standards. It supported the inalienable USUN NEW Y 00000950 002 OF 004 right of NNWS to pursue peaceful uses of nuclear energy. China, while encouraged by the adoption of a CD program of work, hoped that it will soon start "substantive discussion on the draft treaty on the prevention of the placement of weapons in Outer Space, and the Threat or Use of Force against outer space objects". It called for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and a continuation of talks about Iranian nuclear issues. ¶6. Cuba Cuba stated that world military spending is increasing while the UN Millennium Development Goals are not being met and urged a switch from defense to humanitarian spending. It said that nuclear disarmament is an urgent task but rejected the "selective enforcement of the NPT." Cuba stated that "White House statements have not been followed by concrete actions". It attacked seven planned military bases in Columbia and the U.S. Base at Guantanamo Bay, saying it impinged on Cuban sovereign territory, and the repositioning of the U.S. fourth fleet in the region. It called for a timeline for the destruction of nuclear weapons and stated that the IAEA should be the only organ of verification. It was encouraged by the program of work for the CD. ¶7. Kenya Kenya cited the new atmosphere in disarmament and the program of work for the CD after a 12 year stalemate. It supported the early entry into force for the CTBT. Kenya stated that Africa is now a nuclear-weapon-free zone but advocated for the peaceful use of nuclear energy to help with the energy needs of countries. It called for work at the national and regional level against the illicit transfer and black market of SA/LW. It supported the treaties on cluster munitions and anti-personnel landmines. ¶8. Bulgaria Bulgaria noted the improving atmosphere and placed "great value on the work of multilateral mechanisms in the sphere of disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation." Bulgaria said it was encouraged by the adoption of a program of work for the CD and hopes for a successful NPT review conference. It called for the early entry into force of the CTBT and negotiations on a FMCT once the CD session begins in January ¶2010. Bulgaria advocated treaties on CCW, cluster munitions, SA/LW and an Arms Trade Treaty. ¶9. Norway Norway judged that it is a historical time for pursuing the goal of a world without nuclear weapons and cited the recent Security Council resolution in this connection. It hopes that the NPT review process will outline a "clear path" toward the irreversible and unequivocal elimination of nuclear arms, and close any loophole in the nuclear nonproliferation and security regimes. Norway doubted "the utility of continued deliberations on cluster munitions in the context of the CCW" because the Convention on Cluster Munitions already exists and is open for signature. It lamented the inaction of the CD for the last 12 years and the fact that 120 states are not members of this body. It believes that the United Nations Disarmament Commission is not delivering on its mandate and urges more governmental involvement in this body. ¶10. Jordan Jordan noted the adoption of the program of work in the CD, supported the NPT and noted the recent Security Council resolution on disarmament and nonproliferation. It called for the early entry into force of the CTBT and advocated a nuclear weapon-free Middle East. Jordan said it is working towards eliminating its stockpile of anti-personnel mines. USUN NEW Y 00000950 003 OF 004 ¶11. Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia stated that it is an NPT party but that the treaty has been meaningless because states are not fulfilling their responsibilities. It is encouraged by the recent Security Council resolution on disarmament and nonproliferation. It supported the treaty on Chemical Weapons, one for SA/LW, called for a nuclear weapon-free zone in the Middle East, and noted there are "double standards on enforcement" of agreements. ¶12. Algeria Algeria noted the recent entry into force of a nuclear weapons free zone in Africa, It supported the NPT, and encouraged states to work towards an FMCT. It noted the adoption of a program of work by the CD after a 12 year deadlock, and said it was worried about terrorist and organized crime groups acquiring nuclear weapons and the illicit trade in SA/LW. ¶13. South Africa South Africa congratulated fellow African states on the entry into force of the Treaty of Pelindaba. It said it thought that the recent Security Council resolution was good but more effort was need on non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament. It advocated for the entry into force of the CTBT and noted the adoption of a program of work in the CD. On conventional weapons, South Africa said it believes that more work must be done on SA/LW, landmines and cluster munitions. ¶14. Australia Australia noted the encouraging signals in the world of disarmament over the last twelve months but stated that countries need to be pragmatic in order to make genuine progress. It cited the adoption of the program of work for the CD, and said it hopes that the CD will move forward on FMCT negotiations and its other areas or work. Australia sees the DPRK nuclear test as a reason to strengthen the NPT and urged the DPRK to comply with its international obligations. It called on Iran to work with the IAEA and allow it full access to the Qom facility. SA/LW should also remain a focus. Australia advocated for the early entry in force of the treaty on cluster munitions and supported the Arms Trade Treaty. ¶15. Nigeria Nigeria stated that military expenditures are increasing at a time when aid is needed for health and education. Nigeria showed particular concern with the trafficking of SA/LW and drugs in the region, which are threats to security. ¶16. Bangladesh Bangladesh said it was encouraged by the recent adoption of a program of work for the CD, that it viewed the NPT as the "cornerstone" of the nuclear non-proliferation regime, and that it recognized the inalienable right of countries to pursue the peaceful use nuclear energy. It called for entry into force of the CTBT, supported the recent entry into force of a nuclear weapons free zone in Africa, and advocated for one in the Middle East. Bangladesh said it is worried about the proliferation of SA/LW, and noted with concern that military expenditures continue to rise at a time of increased social needs and requirements for development. (Note: Bangladesh barely mentioned the CD despite the fact that it will serve as the first of six rotational CD presidents next year. End note.) ¶17. Right of Reply by DPRK The DPRK replied to Korea and Japan's statements about the de-nuclearization of the Korean peninsula, saying that this USUN NEW Y 00000950 004 OF 004 was in direct response to U.S. policy. The DPRK said it wants peace and stability on the peninsula and had made proposals on non-aggression to the U.S. However, the U.S. had stated that the DPRK could not launch peaceful satellites and the six party talks collapsed because of this. The DPRK noted that the Security Council cannot stand above international law. The DPRK must rely on the nuclear option for defense to stop a war. The DPRK said that it was more secure now and will act in a responsible manner. Rice