64TH UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE THEMATIC DEBATE: OTHER

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000996 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CD CDG PARM PREL UNGA SUBJECT: 64TH UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE THEMATIC DEBATE: OTHER DISARMAMENT MEASURES AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ¶1. (U) Summary: The UN Disarmament and International Security Committee (First Committee) conducted its thematic debate on other disarmament measures and international security on October 21. ¶2. Netherlands (U) The Netherlands presented updated versions of its draft resolutions on transparency in armaments and national legislation on transfer of arms, military equipment and dual-use goods and technology. ¶3. Japan (U) Japan stated that the impetus behind the recent historic developments in disarmament and non-proliferation were not self-perpetuating and needed constant nurturing. It encouraged education and public awareness as a way of advancing efforts in this field. The experiences of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan noted, gave it a moral responsibility to educate on these matters. ¶4. Uruguay on behalf of MERCOSUR (U) MERCOSUR noted that universal participation in the UN Register of arms transfers would have an important influence on discussions aimed at promoting transparency in military expenditures and the global trade in conventional weapons, as well as efforts to combat the illicit trade in those weapons. It supported expanding the categories of arms covered by the register. ¶5. Cuba (U) Cuba stated that multilateralism was needed to reach the objective of disarmament, not bilateral agreement, and that the UN was the best forum for disarmament negotiations. It called for countries to address the issue of excessive military expenditures, especially in a time of economic crisis. It advocated the establishment of a UN fund in which resources saved by cuts in military expenditures would be allocated to address social concerns. ¶6. Peru (U) Peru stated that accelerated disarmament would free more resources to meet the UN's Millennium Development Goals. It urged countries to use a portion of their military expenditures on health, education and other social improvements. ¶7. Russia (U) Russia introduced a resolution on developments in information and telecommunications in the context in international security. Russia stated that the rapid and universal introduction of advanced information and communications technology carried with it new threats as well as benefits. ¶8. India (U) India said it supports the peaceful international transfer of science and technology in ways that do not hamper security but allows for development. It presented a draft resolution that deals with these transfers. (Note: India has criticized export control regimes, but in the past two years opted not to introduce its substantive resolution on this subject. End Note) Rice