CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT HEARS FROM RUSSIA ON MEETING ON PREVENTION OF AN ARMS RACE IN OUTER SPACE

The Conference on Disarmament this morning heard a statement from the Russian Federation on a meeting on the prevention of an arms race in outer space, as well as a statement from Iraq expressing thanks for the condolences received regarding the Tigris bridge tragedy. The acting President of the Conference expressed his thanks to previous Presidents of the Conference who had tried to overcome the paralysis in which the Conference was stuck.

Anton Vasiliev of the Russian Federation said with regards to the second open-ended meeting on the issue of the prevention of an arms race in outer space, which was organized by the Russian Federation in Geneva on 16 August 2005, the intensive and interactive debate had focused on an in-depth review of the document CD/1679 “Possible Elements for a Future International Legal Agreement on the Prevention of the Deployment of Weapons in Outer Space, the Threat or Use of Force Against Outer Space Objects”, and an analysis of the three thematic non-papers. The results of the meeting were satisfactory, with a substantive discussion of all the key issues, and with a host of helpful proposals that would be used for further development and updating of the document entitled “Compilation of Comments and Suggestions to the CD Working Paper CD/1679” in order to meet the needs and expectations of all States without exception.

The sincere desire and readiness to resume substantive work in the Conference on Disarmament had been displayed during the meeting, which had helped in the search for a long-awaited compromise on the programme of work, Mr. Vasiliev said. A brief resume with the key points of the discussion and proposals had been distributed as an official document, containing the principles and differing points of views that had been expressed, with the aim of serving as reference material for future progress. Considering the results of the meeting and consultations, the process would continue.

Felix Calderon of Peru, Acting President of the Conference, expressed his appreciation for the support of the previous Presidents who had held the position during the year, and who had tried to overcome the paralysis in which the Conference was stuck. The Ambassador of the Netherlands had attempted, in a most commendable manner, to identify various ways of making headway; and the Ambassador of New Zealand had continued the process by addressing the members of the Conference with regards to actual ways of making progress. Despite widespread good will, it was had not been possible to come up with methods that were satisfactory to all. Subsequent Ambassadors had continued the process. Special appreciation was extended to the President’s immediate predecessor, the Ambassador of Pakistan, for his help.

Ban Fadhli of Iraq said the delegation of Iraq fully supported the mission towards progress within the Conference and would cooperate fully for success in that regard. In view of the emergency conditions in Iraq, the delegation had not been able to attend the last formal meeting, and wished to express thanks for all expressions of condolences received following the tragedy of the Tigris bridge collapse. Iraq also expressed condolences to those devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

The next plenary meeting of the Conference on Disarmament will be held on Thursday 15 September 2005 at 10 a.m. and will be followed immediately by an informal plenary meeting devoted to the first reading of the Conference’s draft report to the General Assembly.

For use of the information media; not an official record


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