CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT HEARS STATEMENTS FROM 13 STATES

The Conference on Disarmament this morning heard statements from Brazil, Nigeria, Malaysia, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Sri Lanka (speaking also on behalf of the Group of 21), Syria, the Russian Federation, China, Morocco, Italy, Pakistan and Algeria. Ambassador Samir Labidi of Tunisia, outgoing President of the Conference, also gave a summary of progress achieved during his Presidency.

Mr. Labidi said he believed that the challenge before the Conference on Disarmament (adopting a programme of work) was not an impossible one. The past weeks had seen the presence of important personalities in the Conference on Disarmament – the Secretary-General, the Secretary of Defence of the United Kingdom, the United States Nuclear Administrator, the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation – and had heard a message by the Chinese Foreign Minister. That was a clear signal of support for the Conference on Disarmament and showed the expectations place on it.

Most speakers intervened to congratulate the outgoing Tunisian President of the Conference on his "fair" and "friendly" stewardship of Conference, as well as his for his willingness to listen and his "tireless" efforts to find consensus. A speaker said he had instilled them with hope. Many speakers drew attention to the distinguished personalities that had addressed the Conference, and the strong message of support to the Conference that implied. Many delegations also had praise for Ambassador Carlos Antonio da Rocha Paranhos of Brazil and Ambassador Wolfgang Petritsch of Austria, who were leaving the Conference to take up other posts.

In his farewell address, the Brazilian Ambassador stressed the flexibility Brazil had always shown with regard to the different proposals aimed at breaking the stalemate in the Conference. However, that did not mean that Brazil favoured the treatment of certain issues on the agenda to the detriment of others. Having voluntarily relinquished the nuclear military option, Brazil was deeply concerned with attempts to reinterpret commitments of nuclear weapon States under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. It was seriously disturbing that military doctrines now envisaged the continued use of small, very sophisticated nuclear weapons not any longer as a deterrent against nuclear weapon States as in the past, but as a possible weapon to be used against new challenges. Disarmament was, more than ever, the issue of the twenty-first century agenda.

Nigeria made a statement in support of the 2007 six Presidents (P6) proposal (CD/2007/L.1), saying the challenge for Conference Members this year was to take the few but courageous steps necessary to move them to the destination they all desired.

Malaysia welcomed the introduction of the draft treaty on the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space by the Russian Foreign Minister on behalf of Russia and China on 12 February. Existing legal instruments regarding outer space were unfortunately inadequate, failing to address the advancements in weapons technology that were not weapons of mass destruction, the possibility of the weaponization in space, the transit of weapons or the use of weapons in space that threatened civil and commercial space assets.

Switzerland also welcomed the submission of the joint Russian-Chinese draft treaty banning the deployment of weapons of outer space as a good basis for discussions, but pointed out that a number of technical and legal points still needed to be worked out, as well as the existence of political obstacles. Switzerland believed that the elaboration of transparency and confidence-building measures in space activities also merited the Conference's attention, including discussions on a Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities.

Bulgaria announced a national moratorium on the use of cluster munitions, pending the advent of an international treaty banning such weapons, and called on other States to follow suit. Bulgaria felt the time was ripe for the international community to begin negotiation on a verifiable treaty banning the use of cluster munitions that caused unacceptable harm to civilians.

In 2007, the Conference was not able to reach agreement on a programme of work and so was unable to start work on substantive issues. A Presidential Draft Decision (CD/2007/L.1**) was submitted as a basis for an agreement to begin substantive work in the Conference. CD/2007/L.1** calls for the appointment of four Coordinators to preside over substantive discussions on the issues of nuclear disarmament; prevention of an arms race in outer space; and negative security assurances; and to preside over negotiations on a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. The Complementary Presidential Statement, CD/2007/CRP.5*, reflects an understanding of the Conference on the implementation of the Presidential decision, and the third text CD/2007/CRP.6* is a short decision stating that when the Conference adopts the Presidential decision, it will be guided by the Presidential statement in its implementation. At the end of the 2007 session, it was decided that the documents before the Conference would be held over for consideration at the 2008 session.

The next plenary of the Conference will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 19 February, under the Presidency of Turkey.

Statements

SAMIR LABIDI (Tunisia), President of the Conference, began the meeting by bidding farewell to the Brazilian and Viennese Ambassadors – Carlos Antonio Da Rocha Paranhos and Wolfgang Petritsch – and praising them for their contributions to the Conference's work.

CARLOS ANTONIO DA ROCHA PARANHOS (Brazil) said that Brazil had always observed a pattern of flexibility with regard to the different proposals that had been introduced in the Conference with a view to breaking the stalemate in which they found themselves. Last year, Brazil had hoped that the very serious discussions on core agenda items might have led them to cross the final bridge to adopt a programme of work on the basis of document CD/2007/L.1 and its complementary Presidential statements (CD/2007/CRP.5 and CRP.6). Brazil wished, now, to reiterate its flexibility to start negotiations. Brazil wished to achieve a universal, non-discriminatory and effectively internationally verifiable fissile material treaty, but it had accepted to start negotiations "without preconditions" in order to arrive at such an objective. Brazil was also prepared to engage in negotiations on a treaty to prevent an arms race in outer space. In that connection, the proposal presented by the Russian Foreign Minister for a "Treaty on the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space, the Treat or Use of Force Against Outer Space Objects" would be seriously considered by the Brazilian authorities. Brazil also attached great importance to the issue of negative security assurances. While the creation of nuclear-weapon-free zones constituted an important step, that should lead to the negotiation of a universal legally binding instrument to assure all countries that had foresworn the military nuclear option against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons. Here, Brazil stressed that the fact it had been able to agree on several proposals that had been tabled in an effort to lead the Conference on Disarmament out of its longstanding stalemate only reinforced Brazil's willingness towards consensus-building and its firm commitment to the cause of disarmament. It did not mean that it favoured the treatment of certain issues on the agenda to the detriment of others.

Indeed, as a country that had voluntarily relinquished the nuclear military option, Brazil was deeply concerned with attempts to reinterpret the commitments adhered to by the nuclear weapon States in article VI of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), as if disarmament should now be subject to new conditions invoked by the very nuclear weapon States without any basis in the letter and the spirit of the NPT. It was seriously disturbing that military doctrines now envisaged the continued use of small, very sophisticated nuclear weapons not any longer as a deterrent against nuclear weapon States as in the past, but as a possible weapon to be used against new challenges. Moreover, developing non-nuclear weapon States could not but wholeheartedly subscribe to the Secretary-General's remarks before the Conference in January, in which he had had observed that concerted disarmament would forestall arms races, reduce tensions, and free up resources that would have been diverted to armaments to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Brazil considered that disarmament was, more than ever, the issue of the twenty-first century agenda. And the Conference on Disarmament was the "locus" of the international community to pursue it vigorously.

MARTIN IHOEGHIAN UHOMOIBHI (Nigeria) said that, every year, for the past 10 years, deliberations in the Conference had always started with high hopes at the beginning of every new session, only to end with despair at year's end. This year had not been any different, but they could break that cycle of hope, missed opportunities and despair because they already had a road map to concentrate their efforts. The proposal by the six Presidents (P6) of 2007, as incorporated in document CD/2007/L.1, and complemented by CD/2007/CRP.5 and CRP.6, was an invitation to the Conference to move from talk to action. Indeed, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in his address to the Conference on 23 January, had called the P6 proposal "balanced and well crafted". Nigeria agreed with that view, and called on those yet to embrace it to do so.

Nigeria was of course mindful that some delegations were not happy with the proposal. But, for Nigeria, addressing the fears of some did not, and should not, require them to start from ground zero. The challenge for them this year was to take the few but courageous steps necessary to move them to the destination they all desired. That was entirely plausible because, in the first few weeks of this year, the Conference had already heard important statements and proposals from the Government of the United Kingdom, the United States, Russia and China – leading nuclear weapon States. From those briefings there were at least two clear messages for the Conference: first, they were an encouraging sign that the nuclear weapon States were prepared to take their responsibility for promoting international peace and security much more seriously; and, second, they demonstrated the trust and confidence the international community had in the Conference on Disarmament as a competent forum for multilateral disarmament negotiations.

HSU KING BEE (Malaysia) said that Malaysia shared the view of the many that the peaceful use of outer space was in the common interest of humanity. Malaysia had thus consistently cosponsored the United Nations General Assembly resolution on the prevention of an arms race in outer space. The economic and technological development of countries was increasingly dependent on space technology. Space security was thus essential to ensure that the benefits derived from the peaceful uses of spaces would be enjoyed by all the peoples of the world. While some had argued that there was currently no arms race in outer space, the likelihood of such a development could not be denied. They should not have to wait for space weaponization or the start of an arms race before they began discussions on a legally binding international instrument. By then it would be too late.

Malaysia therefore welcomed the introduction of the draft treaty on the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space by the Russian Foreign Minister on behalf of Russia and China on 12 February. While Malaysia shared the view that existing legal instruments regarding outer space had an important role in promoting the peaceful use of outer space, they were unfortunately inadequate. None addressed the advancements in weapons technology which were not weapons of mass destruction, the possibility of the weaponization in space, the transit of weapons or the use of weapons in space that threatened civil and commercial space assets. The proposed treaty would be an important step in strengthen the existing international legal system regulating outer space, and Malaysia hoped that the Conference would engage in structured, substantive discussion with a view to the early commencement of negotiations, of an international legally binding treaty to prevent the placement of arms in outer space. Pending conclusions of such an instrument, Malaysia continued to agree that there should be a moratorium on the testing of all kinds of weapons and on the deployment of weapons in outer space. Space faring States should also increase their level of transparency, as a further confidence building measure. In that regard, Malaysia welcomed the Joint Statement on the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty between the Russian Federation and the United States, submitted at the sixty-second session of the General Assembly.

PETKO DRAGANOV (Bulgaria) said that on previous occasions Bulgaria had expressed its grave concern over the severe consequences for civilians of the use cluster munitions. Yesterday, the Council of Ministers of Bulgaria had imposed a moratorium on the use of cluster munitions in Bulgaria's possession, pending the advent of an international treaty banning such weapons. Bulgaria hoped that other States would follow suit. The time was ripe for the international community to begin negotiation on a verifiable treaty banning the use of cluster munitions that caused unacceptable harm to civilians.

JURG STREULI (Switzerland) said that the subject of the sustainable use of outer space continued to increase in importance. Space systems had become a critical part of the infrastructure necessary to ensure the prosperity and security of many States – in areas including communications, navigation, or the collection of information on the environment. Guaranteeing the security of that critical infrastructure had to be an objective to which the Conference on Disarmament committed itself. Switzerland thanked Russia for its efforts to promote dialogue on the problem of prevention of an arms race in outer space in the Conference, and for the submission of the joint Russian-Chinese draft treaty banning the deployment of weapons of outer space. That was a good basis for discussions. However, a number of technical and legal points still needed to be worked out, as well as the existence of political obstacles. Switzerland fully supported the consideration of that draft treaty, and the start of discussion on it in the Conference on Disarmament.

Switzerland believed that the elaboration of transparency and confidence-building measures in space activities also merited the Conference's attention, and called for in-depth discussions within the Conference to address a wide range of such measures, including the elaboration of a Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities.

Mr. Labidi, the Conference President, then addressed some farewell remarks to the Conference, as this was the final meeting this session under the Tunisian presidency. Tunisia had in particular attached great importance to fully transparent consultations it had undertaken with delegations. During those consultations, Tunisia had noted a very positive atmosphere, which had led to the quick and easy adoption of an agenda and appointment of the seven Coordinators for the substantive agenda items. That positive atmosphere had to continue and reinforced.

Mr. Labidi believed that the challenge before the Conference on Disarmament (adopting a programme of work) was not an impossible one. The past weeks had seen the presence of important personalities in the Conference on Disarmament, who had addressed the work of the forum: the Secretary-General, the Secretary of Defence of the United Kingdom, the United States Nuclear Administrator, the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, and the message by the Chinese Foreign Minister. That was a clear signal of support for the Conference on Disarmament and showed the expectations place on it. Those displays now required greater efforts from them to meet those expectations.

DAYAN JAYATILLEKA (Sri Lanka), speaking on behalf of the Group of 21, said that at the G-21 meeting yesterday, the Group had expressed its unanimous pride in the way the Tunisia (a member of the Group of 21) had led the Conference during its Presidency, with fairness and friendliness to all sides, without favouring any particular bloc.

Speaking in its national capacity, Sri Lanka bid farewell to the departing Ambassador of Brazil, and thanked him for his contribution to the Conference.

FAYSAL KHABBAZ HAMOUI (Syria), joined Sri Lanka in congratulating the outgoing Tunisian President of the Conference. The Tunisian President had instilled Syria – and many others – with hope. Under the Syrian presidency many distinguished personalities had addressed the Conference. Syria thanked the Foreign Ministers of Russia and China in particular for the initiative they had introduced on the peaceful uses of outer space. It was hoped that the Conference would be able to get to work right away on the substance of that initiative, so that it could be adopted as a binding instrument in international law. Finally, Syria welcomed Bulgaria's announcement on a freeze on its use of cluster weapons, and hoped that other countries would follow suit.

VIKTOR VASILIEV (Russian Federation) said that the broad consultations among delegations and the P6 undertaken by the Tunisian President had allowed the outgoing President to continue and build on the work of the 2007 Presidents. It had also allowed for the swift adoption of the Conference's agenda and the appointment of seven Coordinators. Russia felt that that work provided a good basis for the Conference to move on, under the Presidency of Turkey, and make further progress.

WANG QUN (China) said that, over the past month, under the Tunisian Presidency, the work of the Conference had achieved success – adopting the agenda smoothly, and seeing high-level attendance that generated a lot of momentum for the Conference's work. It had laid a solid foundation for the successful work to be achieved this year. China also joined other speakers in thanking the Ambassador of Brazil for his work. Brazil, generally, had made important contributions to the work of the Conference, notably through the Amorim Initiative.

MOHAMMED LOULICHKI (Morocco) endorsed the statement made by Sri Lanka on behalf of the Group of 21, and expressed Morocco's own satisfaction over the way the Tunisian President had conducted the work of the Conference on Disarmament during his tenure. He had created an atmosphere that would allow for substantial and constructive work to be undertaken, and had continued to build on the platform laid by the six Presidents of 2007.

LUCIA FIORI (Italy) added Italy's praise for the work of the Tunisian President, in particular his willingness to listen and his tireless efforts. Italy also welcomed the new presidency of Turkey, and bid farewell to the Austrian and Brazilian Ambassadors.

MASOOD KHAN (Pakistan) complemented the Tunisian President on his effective leadership of the Conference. The qualities he brought to the Conference could be summed up in four words: focus, drive, inclusiveness and elegance. Pakistan was confident that his successor, Turkey, would build on the work of his Presidency. Pakistan also acknowledged the work of the two departing Ambassadors.

HAMZA KHELIF (Algeria) agreed with the previous speakers in praising the outgoing Tunisian President's efforts. Algeria also expressed thanks and good wishes to the Ambassador of Brazil, who would be leaving the Conference to take up an appointment in Moscow. Algeria took note of the proposal put forward by the Russian Foreign Minister and China, which had been communicated to the Algerian capital for consideration. Discussions on the issue of outer space should provide sufficient time to examine that proposal so that they could explore it and make progress in their work.

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