64TH UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE BEGINS GENERAL DEBATE:

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000953 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 4 REF: USUN 948 1.(U) Summary: The first committee on international security and disarmament conducted its general debate from October 5 to October 12. This summary comprises day 4 of the general debate (October 8). (REFTEL). ¶2. India India noted the mood of optimism this year during the deliberations of the First Committee, citing the U.S. - Russian negotiations towards arsenal reduction and President Obama's Prague Speech as India believes that nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation are mutually reinforcing processes. It advocates the negotiation of agreements on no first-use of nuclear weapons and non-use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states treaties (NNWS). It noted the adoption of a program of work for the Conference on Disarmament (CD) and committed itself to working on Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty (FMCT) negotiations in the CD. It stated that it is a nuclear weapon state and will negotiate as one and that it will continue its "voluntary, unilateral moratorium" on nuclear testing. It is committed to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) and will work with the UN on the regulation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SA/LW). ¶3. Tanzania Tanzania welcomed the positive momentum in disarmament and said it supports efforts to deny weapons of mass destruction (WMD) to terrorist groups. Tanzania noted the entry into force of the African Nuclear-Weapons-Free Zone Treaty and called for nuclear-weapon-free zones in the Middle East and Korean peninsula. It noted that Africa has the largest deposits of uranium and other nuclear-related materials. It called for strengthening of the UN regional center for peace and disarmament in Africa and advocated a more pro-active approach to non-proliferation through partnering with regional NGOs and other civil society groups. It stressed that all states have an inalienable right to peaceful use of nuclear energy, and noted that nuclear energy was the solution to the energy crisis. Tanzania stated that SA/LW were of a regional and international nature and should be dealt with accordingly. ¶4. The Holy See The Holy See stated that the world needs food and water more than arms. It called for leadership towards world peace and a strengthening of multilateralism. It was encouraged by the Security Council resolution on nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation in September, but said that progress on the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and FMCT was lagging. ¶5. Canada Canada noted the importance of the UN disarmament machinery in contributing to international peace and security. It advocated a reduction of nuclear arsenals to the lowest possible level, a ban on nuclear testing, and a ban on fissile materials for weapons. It welcomed the recent Security Council resolution and statements by the P5 about reducing nuclear arsenals and living in a world free of nuclear weapons. It stated that it will work against nuclear terrorism and promote Security Council resolution 1540. Canada is in favor of a ban on weapons in outer space, a legally binding Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and a ban on anti-personnel landmines. ¶6. United Arab Emirates The UAE noted the positive steps on the issue of disarmament, citing the adoption of a program of work for the CD, the work on a U.S.- Russia START agreement, and the U.S. commitment to reduce its nuclear arsenals. It called upon all countries to help create a world free of nuclear weapons, urging NNWS to stop their pursuit of nuclear weaponry. The UAE called for efforts to strengthen multilateralism, and pushed for the control of nuclear proliferation and reduction of nuclear arsenals within a specific time frame through the FMCT. It said that all states have an inalienable right to peaceful use of nuclear energy, but that nuclear free zones in certain areas are necessary. It called for increased dialogue on Middle East, Israeli adherence to the NPT, supported ongoing talks with Iran, and urged Iran to cooperate with the IAEA. ¶7. Chile Chile embraced the positive atmosphere towards nuclear disarmament. It noted its own participation in numerous disarmament treaties, as well as the progress symbolized by the recent US - Russian talks concerning reduction of strategic nuclear arms. Chile stated that it opposed nuclear proliferation, noted that Latin America is a nuclear weapons-free zone, and supported the creation of nuclear-weapon-free zones in other parts of the world. ¶8. Iran Iran judged that disarmament and non-proliferation are important, especially among nuclear weapon states, noting that the nuclear weapon states continue to develop and modernize their weapons. Iran stated that Security Council resolution 1887 "legally speaking" distorted the language of Article IV of the NPT and thus Iran will be unable to support it. It called for the adoption of a plan for total elimination of nuclear weapons within a specific timeline at the 2010 NPT review conference. Although there have been calls for a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East, Israel's continued possession of nuclear weapons and non-accession to the NPT continued to flout them. It reaffirmed the inalienable right of states to pursue peaceful use of nuclear energy. It called upon the P5 plus 1 to demonstrate goodwill with Iran over its nuclear program. It stated that it supports the reactivation of the CD based on a balanced and comprehensive program of work. ¶9. Mali Mali stated that it opposes illicit circulation and stockpiling of SA/LW, stating that these actions often have tragic consequences. Mali cited the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convention of 2006 as an example of constructive action against illicit SA/LW activities. It noted Al-Qaida activities in the Sahel region of Africa as a threat to regional security. ¶10. Vietnam Vietnam noted the encouraging environment in the nuclear disarmament field, citing the U.S. - Russian negotiations, the adoption of program of work of the CD and the recent Security Council resolution. It views the NPT as the cornerstone of the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime. It supported the inalienable right of states to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Vietnam supports nuclear-weapon free zones. It supports the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and stated that an ATT should be done within the UN framework. Vietnam hoped that the CD will be able to work on an instrument banning the production of fissionable materials. ¶11. Ukraine Ukraine stressed its consistent support for disarmament and international security, citing its voluntary renounciation of the world's third-largest nuclear arsenal. It is working towards a nuclear-weapon-free world and is encouraged by U.S.-Russian negotiations towards a START follow-on treaty. It called for the early entry into force of the CTBT, stated it is fully committed to all three pillars of the NPT, and welcomed the adoption of a work program in the CD after 12 Years of impasse. It recognizes the essential role of the IAEA and supported implementation of the CWC and BTWC. Ukraine opposes the illicit trade in SA/LW and supports the Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty, CCW and ATT. ¶12. Singapore Singapore called for complete nuclear disarmament and was encouraged by President Obama's speech in Prague and adoption of Security Council resolution 1887 in the run-up to the 2010 NPT review conference. Singapose says it has implemented a "robust export control regime" to protect against proliferation of WMD-related items and monitors items from all four major multilateral export control lists. ¶13. Cambodia Cambodia said it was encouraged by President Obama's statement on disarmament, Security Council Resolution 1887, the U.S. - Russian START negotiations and the adoption of a program of work in the CD. It supported the Nuclear Weapons free zone in South East Asia. On SA/LW, Cambodia has been actively destroying weapons left over from the conflict in the nineties. ¶14. Senegal Senegal noted that despite the many delays in implementing non-proliferation, "glimmers of hope" had recently appeared, including the breaking of the 12-year impasse on the program of work of the CD. It said that the "will of the world is to be free of nuclear weapons". Senegal called for the strengthening of the NPT, entry into force of the CTBT and a ban on production of Fissile Materials for weapons. Senegal called for a general reduction of arsenals by the international community. It urged all states to comply with IAEA directives and supported the right to peaceful use of nuclear energy. It called for a universal treaty on conventional weapons, particularly SA/LW and a ban on cluster munitions. ¶15. San Marino San Marino embraced the positive movement in disarmament, citing recent statements made by President Obama on nuclear disarmament and Security Council resolution 1887. It stated that the international community must make a stand against nuclear terrorism. ¶16. Yemen Yemen welcomed positive developments in nuclear disarmament which encourage a global return to dialogue on the issue. It stated that it has ratified all treaties regarding non-proliferation and disarmament, and reiterated its firm stance against nuclear testing. Yemen noted the effects of illicit trafficking of SA/LW on security. Yemen stated that Israel must abide by the conditions of the NPT (even though it is not a party to that treaty). ¶17. Malaysia Malaysia believes non-proliferation rests on all nations having the right to peaceful use of nuclear energy, NWS have to take effective measures towards nuclear disarmament, and those without nuclear weapons should disavow acquiring them. It also called for greater transparency in the reduction of strategic and non-strategic stockpiles. Malaysia said it had submitted its instrument of ratification to the CTBT and called on other states to work towards the Treaty's early entry into force. It supports the universal implementation of the CWC and BWC. Malaysia said it has put in place laws to combat the illicit trade in SA/LW and has been free of antipersonnel landmines since 2001. Rice