CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT HEARS FROM RUSSIA ON DRAFT CONVENTION FOR SUPPRESSION OF CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL TERRORISM

The Conference on Disarmament this morning held a public plenary in which it received further details from the Russian Federation on the draft Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Chemical and Biological Terrorism, and heard from a number of delegations.

The Russian Federation provided an update to its March proposal on the draft Convention, calling it a comprehensive legal instrument on chemical and biological weapons, and stressing that the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva was the most appropriate forum for developing such a legal instrument. China said it believed that the risk of biological and chemical terrorist attacks was rising sharply, which was why the topic was highly relevant and deserved utmost consideration from all delegations.

Japan strongly condemned the missile launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and reiterated that its priority in the Conference remained the commencement of negotiations on a fissile material cut-off treaty. The Republic of Korea stated that it would continue to strengthen deterrence against “North Korea” and all activities which threatened the security of its citizens. The United States said that the actions by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea served only to increase the international community’s resolve, including by strengthening the existing sanctions regime.

India supported the President’s efforts to find a way to move the Conference forward. A number of proposals were on the table, which should not be lost sight of, including one by the Group of 21. Belarus stressed the importance of preventing weapons of mass destruction from getting into the hands of terrorist groups.

Iran believed that weapons of mass destruction would be a serious threat if they fell into the hands of non-State actors. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea said that it was not interested in aggravating the situation and felt no need to provoke anyone. The United States was the one posing a great threat to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea with all of its strategic assets in the Republic of Korea. Australia reiterated its concern at the missile launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, in violation of a number of international resolutions.

The next formal plenary meeting will take place on Tuesday, 16 August at 10 a.m.

Statements

Russian Federation was gravely concerned that the Conference remained at a standstill. A comprehensive, balanced programme of work could not be agreed on. Little time remained before the end of the current session, but still it was enough time to breed new life into the Conference. Consultations should continue with the view of reaching a compromise on the programme of work.

Russia highlighted its initiative, submitted in March, on developing an international convention to combat acts of chemical and biological terrorism. Such a convention would not hinder anyone’s security, but its potential to unify would put an end to the protracted standstill of the Conference and address the growing phenomenon – growth of the terrorism of weapons of mass destruction. The proposals in other places were in no competition with the Russian proposal. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons could not deal with some important aspects of fighting biological terrorism. The Biological Convention’s regime was even weaker, stressed Russia. Terrorism of weapons of mass destruction was a very dangerous foe which could not be tackled at the national level only. Anti-terrorist standards ought to be brought under one instrument rather than being scattered all over. That was why Russia was proposing a comprehensive legal instrument on chemical and biological weapons.

The Conference on Disarmament in Geneva was the most appropriate forum for developing such a legal instrument. Today, Russia was submitting an updated draft document, which was now ready for further negotiations in the Conference. The draft expanded the spectrum of activities under the convention’s cover. In order for the new convention to become a functional legal instrument, an article provided for its entry into force after 15 notifications.

Japan stated that it was regrettable that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea had once again launched a ballistic missile without prior notification, which had fallen, for the first time, in Japan’s exclusive economic zone, just 250 km west of its main island. The launch was in clear violation of relevant Security Council resolutions and was thus strongly condemned. With regard to the future work of the Conference, Japan’s priority remained the early commencement of negotiations on a fissile material cut-off treaty. Japan was ready to discuss the working methods of the Conference; one idea was to consider extending the duration of the Conference’s Presidency.

China thanked Russia for providing an updated draft of the convention. China believed that the risk of biological and chemical terrorist attacks was rising sharply, which was why the topic was highly relevant and deserved the utmost consideration of all delegations. The Conference was the best place to negotiate the convention, and the Russian proposal should be placed on the agenda of the Conference.

Republic of Korea said it would study the Russian proposal and express its opinion in due course. “North Korea’s” launch was another provocative act, which demonstrated that the “North Korean State” was belligerent, reckless and unpredictable. Such behaviour could only draw ever stronger condemnation and pressure by the international community. The Republic of Korea would continue to strengthen deterrence against “North Korea” and all activities which threatened the security of its citizens.

United States strongly condemned the launch of the ballistic missiles by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, in violation of United Nations resolutions. They served only to increase the international community’s resolve, including by strengthening the existing sanctions regime. The United States remained ready to work with its allies and partners to deter future such actions and protect its allies. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea should focus on taking concrete steps to fulfil its international commitments.

India supported the President’s efforts to find a way to move the Conference forward. India hoped that the Conference would be allowed to move forward on the basis of consensus, and India was ready to commence negotiations. A number of proposals were on the table, which should not be lost sight of, including one by the Group of 21. India appreciated the President’s initiative to organise an informal meeting the following week, which should facilitate the exchange of views to take forward the work of the Conference. India welcomed and supported Russia’s proposal, and its future consideration in the Conference. India would study the draft proposal and would be happy to engage in further consultations in that regard.

Belarus said that the additional material provided by Russia would be sent to the capital for further consideration. Belarus stressed the importance of preventing weapons of mass destruction from getting into the hands of terrorist groups. The initiative ought to be studied in detail. The necessary consideration of the draft proposal should take part within the future programme of work.

Iran thanked the Russian Federation for proposing the new document on biological and chemical terrorism. Iran would send the new document to Teheran for further review. Weapons of mass destruction would be a serious threat if they fell into the hands of non-State actors.

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea commended the Russian delegation for the elaboration of its constructive proposal and its continuing efforts to get the Conference back to work. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea remained unchanged in opposing all forms of terrorism and would forward the new document to its capital. Responding to the remarks regarding the ballistic missile launch, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea said that it was not interested in aggravating the situation and felt no need to provoke anyone. Its primary task was to develop its economy and improve the living standards of its population.

It was preposterous that the United States and its allies were accusing the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea of legitimate counter measures for self-defence. The United States was the one posing a great threat to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea with all of its strategic assets in the Republic of Korea. The already high tensions on the Korean Peninsula were thus further escalated, especially because of the continuous American exercises in the region. By accusing the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea of legitimate activities, the United States was creating a pretext for deploying further anti-missile assets on the Peninsula. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea would do all it could to protect its sovereignty and dignity.

Australia said it supported the President’s ongoing efforts on seeking consensus on a programme of work. The Russian proposal would be sent to Canberra for comments. Australia underlined its concern at the missile launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, in violation of a number of resolutions.



For use of the information media; not an official record

DC16/032E