64TH UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE THEMATIC DEBATE: NUCLEAR

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 USUN NEW YORK 000970 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CD CDG KN PARM PREL UNGA SUBJECT: 64TH UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE THEMATIC DEBATE: NUCLEAR WEAPONS REF: A. USUN 948 ¶B. USUN 949 ¶C. USUN 950 ¶D. USUN 953 ¶E. USUN 954 ¶F. USUN 955 ¶1. (U) Summary: The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) conducted its thematic debate on nuclear weapons from October 13 to 15. This summary comprises statements from all three days. The UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, the Secretary General of the Conference on Disarmament (CD),and the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) Organization Preparatory Commission gave prepared statements about the work of their organizations. Most of the country statements were similar to the general debate statements (REFTEL). The importance of the 2010 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) review conference, adoption of a program of work in the CD, the need for CTBT entry into force, the importance of starting negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT),the need for further reduction of nuclear weapons, and the nuclear programs of the DPRK and Iran were the dominant themes. ¶2. Sweden on behalf of the EU and as a national statement Sweden stated its support for the NPT and called for a balanced approach to all three pillars of the Treaty (nonproliferation, peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and nuclear disarmament). It condemned the nuclear test of the DPRK and stated that Iran has the right to pursue peaceful nuclear energy but stressed that it must comply with the requirements of the NPT. In its national capacity, Sweden said it was encouraged by the adoption of a program of work in the CD and called for restrictions on improvements on nuclear weapons. ¶3. Australia Australia stated its desire for a "faster" reduction of arsenals by the nuclear-weapon states. It called on the DPRK to return to the six-party talks and for Iran to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). ¶4. Turkey Turkey said there was a "need to bolster" all three pillars of the NPT regime and said that non-nuclear-weapon states (NNWS) should receive assurances against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons against them (i.e., negative security assurances or NSAs). ¶5. Switzerland Switzerland advocated further ratifications of the CTBT and said it was encouraged by the commitment by the U.S. to do so. It said it remains concerned about the DPRK and called upon it to return without condition to the six-party talks. USUN NEW Y 00000970 002 OF 006 ¶6. Indonesia on behalf of the NAM Indonesia said it is concerned about the "slow pace of progress towards nuclear disarmament and the lack of progress by the Nuclear Weapons States (NWS) to accomplish the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals." It is also concerned about strategic defense doctrines that set out the rationale for the use or threat of nuclear weapons. It reiterated its support for the inalienable right of all parties to the NPT to pursue peaceful uses of nuclear energy. ¶7. Uruguay on behalf of MERCOSUR Uruguay said it hoped for success at the May 2010 NPT review conference and in the CD. It stressed the importance of a moratorium on nuclear tests until the CTBT enters into force and reiterated its support for nuclear-weapons-free zones (NWFZs). ¶8. Japan Japan advocated the reduction of existing nuclear-weapons stockpiles, an early entry into force of the CTBT, and the start of negotiations on a FMCT. It said it was concerned by the actions of the DPRK, particularly its nuclear weapons and missile programs and called on all states to implement Security Council resolutions on nonproliferation issues. ¶9. Norway Norway called for "a way forward" to be found for nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. It said it was concerned by the actions of the DPRK and Iran, called for entry into force of the CTBT, and commencement of FMCT negotiations. ¶10. United Kingdom The U.K. called for the adoption of a program of work in 2010 at the CD that "kick-starts negotiations on FMCT." It advocated continued progress on CTBT ratifications leading to a permanent ban on explosive testing of nuclear weapons. ¶11. France France stated that it has reduced its own nuclear arsenal to below 300 weapons and called on all states to reduce their arsenals. It supported the peaceful uses of civilian nuclear power but said it was concerned by the activities of Iran and the DPRK. ¶12. Kazakhstan Kazakhstan stated that the NPT is the main instrument of the non-proliferation and disarmament regime. It offered to host a nuclear fuel bank on its territory under IAEA oversight and proposed a draft resolution entitled "International Day of World Free of Nuclear weapons". (Note: The draft USUN NEW Y 00000970 003 OF 006 resolution's title was later changed to "International day against nuclear testing." End note.) ¶13. Mexico Mexico said it hoped for success during the 2010 NPT Review Conference and advocated the early entry into force of the CTBT. ¶14. Netherlands Netherlands called for "real progress" to be made at the 2010 NPT review conference, as opposed to the lack of a consensus outcome at the 2005 conference, and for states to ratify and implement the NPT. It stated that the NPT is linked to and reinforces the CTBT and the FMCT. ¶15. Chile Chile spoke three times, once in its national capacity, second as coordinator of a resolution on decreasing operational readiness of nuclear weapons systems, and finally as coordinator of a resolution on a conference of parties to NWFS. Chile stated that the NPT was vitally important for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Chile and other co-sponsors decided not to present a resolution on decreasing weapon readiness this year because of ongoing policy reviews in the NWS (the resolution will be introduced next year). Chile stated that the UN is the proper forum for the discussion of NWFZs. ¶16. China China called for states to abandon nuclear-deterrence policy and advocated policies on no-first-use of nuclear weapons and no use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states. It supported an FMCT treaty and a successful NPT review conference. ¶17. New Zealand New Zealand said it was encouraged by the increase in NWFZs and pushed for the establishment of more zones. It stated that the IAEA needs more resources in order to monitor and investigate countries' nuclear programs. ¶18. Venezuela Venezuela stated that complete nuclear disarmament is the only way to ensure that nuclear weapons are not used. It advocated for the inalienable right of nations to peaceful use of nuclear energy. It stated that Security Council resolution 1887 focused too much on non-proliferation and not enough on disarmament. ¶19. Cuba USUN NEW Y 00000970 004 OF 006 Cuba said that possession of nuclear weapons and a nuclear deterrent policy were wrong and that nuclear disarmament is the only way forward. It called for concrete actions on a transparent, irreversible and verifiable disarmament process by the NWS. ¶20. Canada Canada supported strengthening the NPT and the start of negotiations towards an FMCT. It said it is concerned by Iran's non-compliance with the IAEA and the DPRK's nuclear Test and called on both parties to negotiate a solution to their respective nuclear issues. ¶21. Korea Korea called for the de-nuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. It said the issue should be addressed in the six-party talks and called for the DPRK to resume negotiations. ¶22. Morocco Morocco stated that that nuclear disarmament is linked to global security, supported the three pillars of the NPT regime, and called on Israel to accede to the NPT. ¶23. UAE UAE called for a successful 2010 NPT review conference. It reaffirmed the primacy of the IAEA in dealing with non-proliferation issues and reiterated its support for the inalienable rights of states for peaceful use of nuclear energy. ¶24. Russia Russia called for practical results on all three pillars at the NPT review conference. It described how it had reduced its nuclear arsenal and favored the "irreversibility of disarmament". It opposed missile defense systems as it disrupts the strategic balance. It advocated strengthening the NPT, increase the efficiency of IAEA verification activities and the early entry into force of the CTBT. ¶25. Thailand Thailand spoke twice, once in its national capacity and once on behalf of ASEAN. Thailand called on all states to support the resolution "Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Treaty." It said it supported U.S. - Russian negotiations on strategic nuclear reductions and early entry into force of the CTBT. It supported the work of the IAEA and also the inalienable right of states to pursue peaceful uses of nuclear energy. ¶26. DPRK DPRK called for multilateral, verifiable and irreversible USUN NEW Y 00000970 005 OF 006 disarmament by all states. It accused the nuclear powers of advocating non-proliferation while at the same time modernizing their weapons. It said it opposed nuclear blackmail, noting that the presence of WMDs was cited as a reason for the invasion of Iraq. It stated that it tested its nuclear weapon because of Security Council actions, taken in response to its peaceful satellite launch. ¶27. Singapore Singapore said it is concerned about non-proliferation and non-state actors acquiring nuclear weapons or materials. It has implemented stringent export controls to guard against this possibility. ¶28. South Africa South Africa supported the NPT regime as the cornerstone of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. It called for legally binding negative security assurances for non-nuclear weapon states and more NWFZ. It favored strengthening of the IAEA. ¶29. Slovenia Slovenia advocated the early entry into force of the NPT the CTBT. ¶30. Algeria Algeria expressed support for the NPT and called on Israel to accede to the treaty and called for a NWFZ in the Middle East. ¶31. India India said it views the NPT as discriminatory and will not join as a non-nuclear weapon state. It stated that "nuclear weapons are an integral part of India's national security and will remain so." It will again put forth resolutions on the prohibition of use of nuclear weapons, reducing nuclear danger and measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring WMDs. ¶32. Iran Iran stated that the nuclear weapons states have not eliminated their nuclear weapons. It opposed selective enforcement of the NPT, pointing out that Israel has not acceded to the Treaty and its additional protocol. It called for a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East. ¶33. Philippines Philippines stated that the elimination of nuclear weapons is the only guarantee against the use or threat of use of such weapons. It called for the establishment of more nuclear-weapons-free zones in the world and for strengthening of the NPT. ¶34. Libya USUN NEW Y 00000970 006 OF 006 Libya called for the verifiable and irreversible reduction of nuclear weapons and advocated a NWFZ in the Middle East. ¶35. Pakistan Pakistan stated that it must keep a minimum deterrent because of the situation in its region. It called for an end to discrimination and double standards in non-proliferation and stated that an FMCT treaty would not restrict NWS because they already have enough fissionable material to build more bombs. ¶36. Belarus Belarus stated that it supported the negotiations between Russia and the U.S. to replace the START I Treaty, due to expire at the end of this year, because Belarus is a signatory to the START I agreement. Rice