CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT HOLDS FIRST PUBLIC PLENARY UNDER SLOVAKIAN PRESIDENCY

The Conference on Disarmament this morning held its first public plenary under the Slovakian Presidency in which numerous delegations condemned the 29 May ballistic missile launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Opening the plenary meeting, Ambassador Fedor Rosocha of Slovakia, President of the Conference, stressed that Slovakia continued to believe that the Conference on Disarmament was an indispensable element of the disarmament machinery and an essential vehicle for the promotion of international peace and security through advancing disarmament. To that end, Slovakia would work towards restoring the Conference’s negotiation role in order to meet the expectations, fulfil its purpose and address current security needs. Political will and renewed trust were indispensable to unlock the existing impasse.

Indonesia noted that the long stalemate in the Conference had been a cause of deep concern and disappointment. Therefore, any endeavour and imitative with the objective to break the impasse and bring back substantive work in the Conference had to be welcomed.

Japan regretted that despite the repeated strong calls from the international community, on 29 May the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea had launched a ballistic missile again, in a clear violation of a series of United Nations Security Council resolutions and against the joint statement of the six-party talks.

Malta, on behalf of the European Union, strongly condemned the latest ballistic launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on 29 May 2017 and urged that country to immediately abandon its nuclear programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.

The United States underlined that the launches by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea were flagrant violations of United Nations resolutions and should not be tolerated.

The Republic of Korea noted that the latest missile launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea ran squarely against the call for peace on the peninsula and against the international community’s efforts to counter nuclear arming in the region.

Canada called for meaningful solutions for peace on the Korean peninsula to be sought.

Belgium said it was unacceptable to violate the authority of the Security Council, calling the pursuit of the nuclear programme by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea illegal.

Spain said that the fact that the missile launch had landed on the economic exclusion zone in Japan was particularly worrisome, as was the new belligerent attitude of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Turkey stated that the recent ballistic missile launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was a clear attestation of the lack of the will of that country to abide by its international obligations and standards of behaviour.

Germany urged the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to immediately halt all nuclear tests and to abandon its nuclear programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.

Italy noted that the recent missile test by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea constituted yet another clear violation of multiple existing United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Australia called on all countries to redouble their efforts to implement unanimously agreed United Nations Security Council sanctions against the Democratic People’s
Republic of Korea to press upon it that its current path was unsustainable.

China said it opposed the use of ballistic missile launches by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and advocated the suspension of all military activities as the first step towards peace on the Korean peninsula.

Poland reiterated an appeal to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to stop violating the acts of the United Nations Security Council and to return to international cooperation as the only way to achieve peace in the Korean peninsula.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea stressed that the root cause of instability on the Korean peninsula was the United States’ hostile policy, which was continued through its joint military exercises. The recent missile test was part of a normal process for self-defense. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea would not be threated and it would continue to construct its defense capabilities.

Austria stressed that constant and intensified provocations of international law were not welcome and it urged the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to immediately return to the path of dialogue.

The Netherlands called upon the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to halt its ongoing provocations and to return to dialogue with the international community, in particular the six-party talks.

Sweden called on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to respect United Nations resolutions and to abandon its nuclear programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.

Kazakhstan called for an immediate and durable solution for the nuclear weapons programmes in the Korean peninsula.

Chile said that the recent missile launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea caused tension not only in the Asia-Pacific region, but also at the international level.

Bulgaria called on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to abandon its nuclear programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner, and to resume dialogue with the international community.

Hungary said there was a need for continued engagement of the international community with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Guatemala, on behalf of the Group of Observer States, regretted that some Members States opposed expanding the membership of the Conference on Disarmament, adding that those States should stop treating disarmament as their exclusive fiefdom.

Iran reminded the President that the working group on the way forward had still had not come up with a programme of work, adding that consultations on the programme of work of the working group should be an important task for every President of the Conference.

The Conference will next meet in public on Tuesday, 6 June, at 10 a.m.

Opening Statement by the President

FEDOR ROSOCHA, Permanent Representative of Slovakia and President of the Conference, said it was an honour for Slovakia to take over the Presidency of the Conference on Disarmament. He reminded all delegations that following the plenary, an organizational meeting of the working group on the way forward would take place. Mr. Rosocha stressed that Slovakia continued to believe that the Conference on Disarmament was an indispensable element of the disarmament machinery and an essential vehicle for the promotion of international peace and security through advancing disarmament. That body was central for multilateral disarmament negotiations. In the past, the Conference had been successful in negotiating major multilateral disarmament agreements, such as the Chemical Weapons Convention or the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. However, the international community could not live on the past achievements; it had to build on them. In the past two decades, the Conference had been in a deadlock. Its revitalization was an urgent task. Its negotiation role had to be restored if the Conference was to meet the expectations, fulfil its purpose and address current security needs. Political will and renewed trust were indispensable to unlock the existing impasse. The fruitful past of the Conference proved that it was the instrument in the hands of its members and when strategic political realities were conducive, the Conference could be productive and bring about positive results. More concerted efforts had to be taken in order to overcome the existing situation.

Mr. Rosocha commended the endeavours of his predecessors in the 2017 session from Romania, Russia and Senegal. Slovakia intended to take into account and build on efforts made and hard work done in the Conference so far aimed at restoring its negotiating role. Slovakia would sustain the working group on the way forward and support its Chairperson. Slovakia highly appreciated the determination, tireless efforts and extensive consultations held by Ambassador Htin Lynn of Myanmar. The process had been launched and already advanced with an aim to identify issues for substantive work under the agenda of the Conference and common ground for a programme of work with a negotiating mandate, and to consider steps for the way ahead. The working group on the way forward should move forward as soon as possible, and Mr. Rosocha urged all Member States to show maximum flexibility and readiness to compromise. Slovakia would not stand by idly and Mr. Rosocha said he would consult closely with the Chairman of the working group on the issues that did not fall under the mandate of the working group. He also intended to actively seek perspectives of the Member States with a view to both supporting the existing process and exploring all options that could help reach consensus on a programme of work.

Statements

Indonesia noted that the long stalemate in the Conference had been a cause of deep concern and disappointment. Therefore, any endeavour and imitative with the objective to break the impasse and bring back substantive work in the Conference had to be welcomed. Indonesia fully supported and participated actively in the convening of the United Nations conference to negotiate a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons leading towards their total elimination. Humankind should be liberated from the gridlock of menace of nuclear catastrophe either by design or by accident. As a strong proponent of nuclear disarmament, Indonesia would always express deep concern about the catastrophic humanitarian impact that could be inflicted upon billions of human beings. It was regrettable that despite their commitment to pursue negative security assurances towards non-nuclear weapon States, the nuclear weapon States had not yet supported concrete advancement on a universal, explicitly clear and legally binding instrument on negative security assurances. Indonesia thus stressed the urgent need for an early agreement on such an instrument. It was also highly committed to advance a balanced fissile material treaty.

Japan regretted that despite the repeated strong calls from the international community, on 29 May the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea had launched a ballistic missile again, in a clear violation of a series of the United Nations Security Council resolutions and against the joint statement of the six-party talks. Japan reminded that in 2017 alone, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea had launched at least twelve ballistic missiles and five of them had reached Japan’s exclusive economic zone, which posed a serious danger for aviation and navigation. That provocative and dangerous behaviour by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was unacceptable, as it constituted a grave and increasing threat to regional and international peace and security. Japan called on the international community to redouble efforts to ensure the sustained, comprehensive, thorough and effective implementation of the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Malta, on behalf of the European Union, strongly condemned the latest ballistic launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on 29 May 2017, which was yet another serious violation of the country’s international obligations under multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions and which represented a threat to international peace and security. The European Union urged the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to fully abide by all United Nations Security Council resolutions and to immediately halt all launches using ballistic missile technology, stop all nuclear tests and abandon its nuclear programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner. A consistent and effective international action was required to respond to the grave and increasing threat posed by the illegal programmes of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which was called upon to re-engage in a credible and meaningful dialogue with the international community.

United States noted that the 29 May ballistic launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was the eleventh this year. The launches were flagrant violations of United Nations resolutions and should not be tolerated. It was incumbent of each Member State of the Conference to strongly condemn the behaviour of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The United States would pursue an aggressive campaign against the growing nuclear ballistic threat in the Pacific region and beyond.

Republic of Korea condemned in the strongest terms the missile launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea as it constituted a serious threat to peace on the Korean peninsula. It ran squarely against the call for peace on the peninsula and against the international community’s efforts to counter nuclear arming in the region. The Republic of Korea would not tolerate any provocation on the part of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Canada noted that the recent ballistic missile launch of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea represented a real threat to peace in the region and the whole world. Meaningful solutions for peace in the peninsula should be sought.

Belgium firmly condemned the recent ballistic missile launch of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which was yet another violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions. It was unacceptable to violate the authority of the Security Council and the pursuit of the nuclear programme by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was illegal as it would weaken the efforts for nuclear disarmament. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea should not carry out any new tests.

Spain condemned the new missile launch of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which violated the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and was a very serious threat to regional and international peace and security. The fact that it had landed on the economic exclusion territory in Japan was particularly worrisome, as was the new belligerent attitude of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea should reverse and renounce its nuclear programmes.

Turkey condemned the recent ballistic missile launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which was a clear attestation of the lack of the will of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to abide by its international obligations and standards of behaviour.

Germany condemned the 29 May 2017 ballistic missile launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which represented a threat to international peace and security. It urged the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to immediately halt all nuclear tests and to abandon its nuclear programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.

Italy condemned in the strongest terms the latest ballistic missile test conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The test constituted yet another clear violation of multiple existing United Nations Security Council resolutions. The test and the nuclear programme of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea represented a serious threat to international peace and security. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea should abandon without delay all its existing ballistic missile and nuclear programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.

Australia condemned the ongoing development of nuclear and ballistic programmes by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. It called on all countries to redouble their efforts to implement unanimously agreed United Nations Security Council sanctions against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to press upon it that its current path was unsustainable.

China stated that its position on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and its nuclear programmes was in line with the Security Council’s provisions. China opposed the ballistic missile launches by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and advocated the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions for peace on the Korean peninsula. A military solution was not an option; it would only lead to more problems. The lack of trust was the source of tensions on the Korean peninsula, which was why China promoted the suspension of all military activities as the first step towards peace.

Poland reiterated an appeal to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to stop violating the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and to return to international cooperation as the only way to achieve peace in the Korean peninsula.

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, responding to allegations made by several States, said the root cause was the United States’ hostile policy, which was continued through joint military exercises in the Korean peninsula. The recent missile test was part of a normal process for self-defense. The United States and its allies were obsessed with deep-rooted hostilities towards the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which categorically rejected all allegations made by those countries. It strongly objected to the language used by some delegations and their use of the term “the Pyongyang regime,” which did not reflect the necessary respect among countries.

Austria condemned the latest ballistic launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which represented another flagrant violation of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions. Constant and intensified provocations of international law were not welcome and Austria urged the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to immediately return to the path of dialogue and to abandon its nuclear programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner. The risk of the use of nuclear weapons could only be eliminated through their total elimination.

Netherlands strongly condemned the recent ballistic missile launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which severely threatened the stability of the region. It called upon the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to halt its ongoing provocations and to return to dialogue with the international community, in particular the six-party talks. The full implementation of the sanction regime by the international community was vital to that end.

Sweden strongly condemned the launch of the ballistic missile on 29 May 2017 by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which was the latest in a series of ballistic missile tests that jeopardized regional and international peace and security. Sweden called on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to respect United Nations resolutions and to abandon its nuclear programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.

Kazakhstan strongly condemned the launch of the ballistic missile on 29 May 2017 by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea as a blatant violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions. It posed threats to both regional and international security. Kazakhstan called for an immediate and durable solution for the nuclear weapons programmes in the Korean peninsula. There was no other option but to ensure a peaceful and secure world for all.

Chile was deeply concerned by the recent missile launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, whose actions caused tension in the Asia-Pacific region. They were a flagrant violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions. Those actions were a matter of concern at the international level, which was why the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea should be urged to abstain from any further provocations and to return to the path of dialogue. There was no military solution to the crisis in the Korean peninsula. The view of nuclear deterrents should be challenged and rejected.

Bulgaria condemned the latest missile launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which represented a direct threat to international peace and security. It called on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to abandon its nuclear programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner, and to resume dialogue with the international community.

Republic of Korea, responding to the statement made by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, noted that it was pestering the world with recurring provocations. The only way out was to do away with its expensive isolation. There was no reason for anyone to attack the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Hungary strongly condemned the most recent missile launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. There was a need for continued engagement of the international community with that country.

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea noted that several countries sided with the United States position against the legitimate right of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to defend itself. The self-defense measures of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea were legitimate and it had asked the United Nations Security Council several times to clarify and justify its resolutions. Those States which spoke about peace in the Korean peninsula had failed to address the military exercises and missile tests conducted by the United States, thus avoiding to address the root cause for the instability in the region. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea would not be threated and it would continue to construct its defense capabilities.

United States responded to the statement made by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, calling it a “reckless charge” against United Nations resolutions. It asked the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to read the United Nations Charter, stressing that its resolutions were, in fact, international law.

Republic of Korea reiterated its question on who would ever want to attack the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. It asked the delegation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to ponder that question.

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea responded to the statement made by the United States, reminding it that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea had filed a complaint to the United Nations Security Council about the latest United States’ military exercises in the Korean peninsula. As it had not received any reply from the Security Council, it was a clear demonstration of the politicization, selectivity and double standards at the United Nations. The United States staged those exercises under the guise of self-defense, but in fact they were offensive.

Guatemala, on behalf of the Group of Observer States, recognized the efforts made by the Chairman of the working group on the way forward, especially on expanding the membership of the Conference on Disarmament. Despite those efforts, there was no consensus. The Group of Observer States regretted that some Members States opposed expanding the membership, adding that they should stop treating disarmament as their exclusive fiefdom. The expansion of the Conference on Disarmament membership was a priority for a good number of countries as global security should be discussed by all States. It was a great surprise that so many countries had to wait for a number of years to gain membership in the Conference on Disarmament. Eighteen years could not be considered a reasonable time to revise membership. Universality and multilateralism should underpin the work of the Conference on Disarmament.

Iran reminded the President that the working group on the way forward had still had not come up with a programme of work. Consultations on the programme of work of the working group should be an important task for every President of the Conference. Iran noted that it had not received any notification about another consultation meeting of the working group on the way forward.

The Secretariat clarified that an email had been sent to all Member States of the Conference on Disarmament to notify them about the consultation meeting of the working group on the way forward.

Iran asked the President of the Conference whether he intended to start consultation on the programme of work by the working group on the way forward.



For use of the information media; not an official record

DC17/020E