Conference on Disarmament Continues High-Level Segment, Hearing from Mexico and Viet Nam

The Conference on Disarmament this afternoon continued its high-level segment, hearing statements by dignitaries from Mexico and Viet Nam.

Speaking were Martha Delgado Peralta, Under-Minister of Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights of Mexico; and Le Thi Tuyet Mai, Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the United Nations Office at Geneva.

Statements in right of reply were made by representatives of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Syrian Arab Republic, United Kingdom, Japan, Republic of Korea, Iran, United States, Turkey and Argentina.

The Conference will next meet in public tomorrow, Thursday March 3 at 10 a.m., to continue and conclude its high-level segment.

High-level segment

MARTHA DELGADO-PERALTA, Under-Minister of Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights of Mexico, expressed concerned about the recent trend of revision of nuclear doctrines by the possessing powers, contrary to the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Recent events in Ukraine with the aggression of the Russian Federation violated elementary norms of international coexistence. The global crisis had shown that the only way to meet international security challenges was through a strengthened multilateral system. The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty was the cornerstone of the disarmament and non-proliferation regime and agreements to parties by that Treaty needed to be fully complied with. Mexico called on the Conference to promote dialogue and new agreements for negotiation purposes.

LE THI TUYET MAI, Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said disarmament and non-proliferation issues continued to be among the most important issues, and the Conference on Disarmament remained the multilateral forum that could help bridge differences and find substantive solutions to global security challenges. Viet Nam had continued its consistent policy to support efforts toward disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The country was a party to all major multilateral treaties on nuclear disarmament, including the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. Viet Nam hoped that the Conference on Disarmament members could reach a consensus on the proposed draft to move forward work this year.

Right of Reply

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, speaking in right of reply, rejected allegations, saying Western countries were amusing themselves by calling out the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea every time a statement was made. Strengthening the national defense capability was the right of a sovereign state, and regular missile tests were part of activities to enhance capabilities within the right of self defense.

Syrian Arab Republic, speaking in right of reply, said false allegations were made on the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria, adding that that the Syrian Arab Republic condemned the use of chemical weapons and had never resorted to their use. The cooperation shown by the Syrian Government with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons was met with the fabrication of lies by some Western countries.

United Kingdom, speaking in right of reply, said it was compelled to respond to Argentina. Argentina should respect the Falkland Islands deciding their own future. The United Kingdom was not militarizing the Falkland Islands and would continue to keep its force levels under review.

Japan, speaking in right of reply, said the country maintained a defense-oriented policy and was not becoming a military power. The defense capability was for Japan’s future, and Japan adhered to the strict civilian control of the military. Since the end of the Second World War, Japan had consistently respected democracy and human rights and contributed to the peace and prosperity of the Asian region and international community.

Republic of Korea, speaking in right of reply, said its Government was fully committed to de-nuclearization on the Korean peninsula. Dialogue and diplomacy were the best way to achieve that. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was urged to cease all destabilizing missile actions.

Iran, speaking in right of reply, said the integrated review of the defense of the United Kingdom was a source of grave concern for international peace and security. The policy violated the Non-Proliferation Treaty in many ways, including contravening disarmament obligations, eroding trust among Non-Proliferation Treaty members.

United States, speaking in right of reply, said provocative rhetoric regarding nuclear weapons was dangerous. Russia had falsely alleged it was under threat, while neither the United States nor the North Atlantic Treaty Organization had any desire for conflict with Russia. The United States called on Russia to immediately cease military action in Ukraine and withdraw all military forces.

Turkey , speaking in right of reply, rejected allegations made by Syria, saying the regime had been found responsible for using chemical weapons on eight occasions. Syria continued to be a safe haven for terrorist organizations which used Syria as a base from which to attack Turkey.

Argentina, speaking in right of reply, rejected allegations contained in the statement of the United Kingdom, reaffirming that the islands were in part of Argentinian territory, which had been occupied illegally by the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom had not acted responsibly as a nuclear-weapon State because it had exposed the island population and the entire region to enormous dangers.

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, speaking in right of reply, rejected the arguments made by Japan, saying that although Japan claimed its contribution to global peace, it had long tried to pave the way for war and invasion. South Korean authorities were advised to look back on their actions from the past couple of years and should explain whether their military exercises with the United States were conducive to peace and security.

United Kingdom, speaking in right of reply, registered appreciation to Iran for highlighting the United Kingdom’s track record of disarmament. The Australia-United Kingdom-United States partnership was entirely in compliance with the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Japan, speaking in right of reply, said claims by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea regarding Japan’s defense policy were groundless. Since Japan had joined the United Nations, the country had served 11 times as a non-permanent member for the Security Council and had actively contributed to peace and security.

Republic of Korea, speaking in right of reply, said its combined exercise with the United States was an annual exercise which was defensive in nature, and called for dialogue with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to establish peace on the Korean peninsula.

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, speaking in right of reply, called on Japan to abandon its ambitious plans to become a military power which would endanger peace in the region. South Korea needed to change its confrontational attitude toward the north and move away from a policy dependent on others.

Syrian Arab Republic, speaking in right of reply, said that any discussion on the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria should take place in the Hague and the relevant Security Council sessions. The party which should be held accountable should be the United Kingdom, due to their intelligence support. Turkey had opened its borders to terrorists to undermine the Syrian people.

Turkey, speaking in right of reply, said Syria continued to be a safe haven for terrorist organizations due to the atrocities of the Syrian regime, which Turkey was exposed to due to their land border. Turkey had assumed the burden of nine million Syrians and would not leave them people at the mercy of the Syrian regime.

Syria Arab Republic, speaking in right of reply, referred member States to the statement delivered by its Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Human Rights Council.

Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the information media;
not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

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