CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT BEGINS SECOND PART OF 2008 SESSION
The Conference on Disarmament this morning held the first plenary of the second part of its 2008 session, hearing statements by Chile, Slovenia on behalf of the European Union, Belarus on behalf of the East European Group, Morocco, China, Algeria, Indonesia and Pakistan on the latest Presidential draft decision aimed at starting substantive work in the Conference.
Ambassador Yevhen Bersheda of Ukraine, President of the Conference, said that the presidential draft decision CD/1840, presented in March, represented the outcome of the 2008 Presidents’ efforts in order for the Conference on Disarmament to reinvigorate its work. It would be false to say that all contained therein was satisfactory to every delegation, but it enjoyed strong support. It was the closest this body had been to a consensus in a long time. The other 2008 Presidents and him had continued their consultations in order to gain consensus on the way forward. The six Presidents of 2008 were open to amendments and improvements and believed the text was capable of securing consensus. However time was not on their side as they were already reaching this year’s half-way point. The Conference’s States parties needed to act swiftly. All opportunities to move the Conference towards concrete achievements had to be seized.
Slovenia, speaking on behalf of the European Union, said the European Union would go along with the proposal presented by the six Presidents as it stood and called on all delegations to show flexibility and to join the emerging consensus. Belarus, speaking on behalf of the Eastern European Group, said that the Group was prepared to join the consensus on the Presidential draft decision and called for all States parties to end the stalemate and to move forward into substantive work.
Chile said that it was now time to build a new atmosphere of confidence for the adoption of a substantive work programme. It was necessary to resolve the contradiction between the security interests of the big powers and the requirements of the international community. Morocco said that the Presidential draft proposal was a combination of documents already seen last year, but considered that it could constitute a basis for discussions, taking into consideration the positions of all Member States. China said it greatly valued the six Presidents efforts and hoped that the concerned parties would be able to work together to resolve the problems and divergences of views in order to resume the work of the Conference as soon as possible.
Algeria pointed out that in addition to the support expressed by the European Union and Eastern European States, criticism of the six Presidents draft proposal had been expressed today. The President should find the right formula to bring different viewpoints together and should show enough flexibility to accept certain points in order to achieve consensus. Indonesia said flexibility was needed in order to get the Conference on Disarmament back on track. The six Presidents’ efforts were appreciated, and it was ready to discuss the propositions made. Pakistan said deficiencies in the draft Presidential proposal had been pointed out in today’s statements. These comments were appreciated and Pakistan hoped that a balanced programme of work could soon be reached.
Sergei Ordzhonikidze, Secretary-General of the Conference on Disarmament and Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, responding to comments made by delegations, underlined that the six Presidents’ decision was not a decision of the whole Conference. It was a decision of the six Presidents for themselves that was presented to the Conference.
According to draft decision CD/1840 by the 2008 Presidents of the Conference, the Conference would appoint Chile as Coordinator to preside over substantive discussions on nuclear disarmament and the prevention of nuclear war; appoint Japan as Coordinator to preside over negotiations, without any preconditions, on a non-discriminatory and multilateral treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices, thus providing all delegations with the opportunity to actively pursue their respective positions and priorities, and to submit proposals on any issue they deem relevant in the course of negotiations; appoint Canada as Coordinator to preside over substantive discussions dealing with issues related to prevention of an arms race in outer space; appoint Senegal as Coordinator to preside over substantive discussions dealing with appropriate arrangements to assure non-nuclear weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons; and would request those Coordinators to present a report to the Conference on the progress of work before the conclusion of the session. The Conference would also decide to request the Coordinators for the agenda items previously appointed by the 2008 Presidents (i.e., new types of weapons of mass destruction and new systems for such weapons, radiological weapons; comprehensive programme of disarmament; and transparency in armament) to continue their work during the current session.
In 2007, the Conference was yet again unable 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, and successive Presidents conducted intensive consultations with a view to reaching agreement on it. Presidential draft decision 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.
Speakers expressed their condolences for the natural disasters which had affected China and Myanmar. China thanked the speakers for their sympathy.
The next plenary of the Conference will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 20 May.
Statements
YEVHEN BERSHEDA (Ukraine), President of the Conference, opened the second part of this year’s session by expressing the Conference’s sadness and condolences at the tragic natural disasters that happened in Asia and welcomed the new Permanent Representative of Chile, Carlos Portales.
Reviewing the work accomplished until now, Mr. Bersheda said that substantive discussions had taken place in order to reinvigorate and refresh the discussions. The Presidential draft decision CD/1840, presented in March, represented the outcome of their efforts in order for the Conference on Disarmament to reinvigorate its work. It would be false to say that all contained therein was satisfactory to every delegation, but it enjoyed strong support. It was the closest this body had been to a consensus in a long time. The other 2008 Presidents and himself had continued their consultations in order to gain consensus on the way forward. As had been pointed out, the Presidential draft decision was the result of constructive cooperation. Some delegations had informed the Conference that they were waiting for reactions from their capitals. Each delegation which had been consulted had also expressed its commitment to the start of substantive work in the Conference.
Mr. Bersheda reiterated his commitment to continue efforts aimed at a consensus building process. He hoped that Member States would endeavour to overcome their differences. The six Presidents of 2008 were open to amendments and improvements and the text was capable of securing consensus.
As the Republic of Korea had stated towards the end of the first part of the session, the Conference on Disarmament had now arrived at an important crossroads. However time was not on their side as they were already reaching this year’s half-way point. It was necessary to act swiftly. All opportunities to move the Conference towards concrete achievements had to be seized.
CARLOS PORTALES (Chile) said that Chile had consistently supported the reform of multilateral institutions. This was important in order for the twenty-first century to be marked by peace and cooperation. Chile deeply regretted the lack of progress and reform concerning the United Nations’ on disarmament issues. Chile supported the efforts of the President to end the long stalemate the Conference had experienced and was convinced that the six Presidents’ platform had contributed to build a spirit of cooperation. It was very important to create conditions of mutual confidence.
Mr. Portales said that Chile was ready to help this forum to resume its work as soon as possible, and it had supported various initiatives. In this endeavour, Chile had served as Coordinator for agenda items 1 and 2. While the Conference had come very close to the desired consensus, the complexity of the world had impeded their work with issues such as the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the appearance of new actors on the international scene such as terrorist groups, extreme poverty and the pollution of the planet. Such factors posed new challenges to the community and undoubtedly to the Conference on Disarmament. Also, the Conference had been created in the context of the Cold War, and all these changes could not have been foreseen.
It was now time to build a new atmosphere of confidence for the adoption of a substantive work programme. It was necessary to resolve the contradiction between the security interests of the big powers and the requirements of the international community. Chile hoped that the Conference on Disarmament would lean towards the security interests of the international community as a whole.
ANDREJ LOGAR (Slovenia), speaking on behalf of the European Union, said the European Union fully supported the President’s efforts to guide the work of the Conference. The European Union was encouraged by the interactive informal debates during the first part of the 2008 Annual session and by the high-level statements that had been given this year. The momentum developed at the Conference since the start of the common Presidency platform approach was welcomed. The European Union would go along with the proposal presented by the six Presidents as it stood. All delegations were called to show flexibility and to join the emerging consensus.
SERGEI ALEINIK (Belarus), speaking on behalf of the Eastern European Group, said that the East European Group appreciated the President’s efforts during the intersession period which provided an opportunity for addressing all delegations’ suggestions and concerns. This undoubtedly contributed to the consensus building process within the Conference with the aim to enable negotiations to get under way.
Mr. Aleinik said that they had all witnessed a number of significant developments in the Conference during the first part of this year’s session, such as the participation in the opening session of the Secretary-General. A number of important initiatives had also been submitted and active discussions were taking place on all the agenda items. All these factors were positive and were contributing to reinvigorating the situation in the Conference. Therefore, the draft decision for a programme of work put forward by the six Presidents had been the logical outcome of the work done in the first part of this year’s session. The Eastern European Group deemed that the draft document defined an area where the positions of all the delegations could come together, providing an acceptable basis for compromise. These efforts should not be in vain and the Eastern European Group was prepared to join the consensus on the Presidential draft decision and called for all States parties to end the stalemate and to move forward into substantive work.
MOHAMMED LOULICHKI (Morocco) expressed the condolences of Morocco on the disasters in China and Myanmar. Concerning the draft proposal, Morocco had examined it carefully and reiterated its support for every effort to help the Conference resume its substantive work. During the debates in the first part of this year’s session, Morocco had hoped that the Conference would emerge from its lethargy. The Secretary-General’s opening statement and statements by Members States had all focused on the necessity to get back to serious negotiations on the basis of a programme of work taking into account the concerns of all Member States. However, the latest draft decision gave the impression of a déjà vu and was a combination of documents already seen last year. Also, the rules of procedures clearly said that decisions had to be taken by the Conference, not the Presidents of the Conference. Further it provided a negotiating item for Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty but only called for discussions on other questions such as nuclear disarmament.
Nonetheless, Morocco considered that the document could constitute a basis for discussions, taking into consideration the positions of all Member States. It could mark the way for a genuine programme of work. Mr. Loulichki noted that they did not have the right to deceive the hopes set on them by the international community. It was necessary to give tangible signs and the reinitiating of negotiations in areas as important as disarmament would be seen as a strong signal and would meet the expectations of the people of the world.
WANG QUN (China) thanked those who had expressed their condolences concerning the natural disaster which China had experienced. Many delegations had expressed their condolences and sympathies to China in various ways during the last days and he expressed China’s gratitude for this. China also welcomed the new Ambassador of Chile and hoped that his presence would help strengthen the work of the Conference on Disarmament. The Presidents’ efforts in order to reach consensus in the Conference were greatly valued. China hoped that the concerned parties would be able to work together to resolve the problems and divergences of views in order to resume the work of the Conference as soon as possible.
Sergei Ordzhonikidze, Secretary-General of the Conference on Disarmament and Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, said that they had started the work of the Conference on a positive note today. One thing that could not be exactly defined as positive was the reference in the statement by Morocco to rule 18 of the rules of procedures. To make things clear, he underlined that the six Presidents’ decision was not a decision for the whole Conference; it was a decision of the six Presidents for themselves that was presented to the Conference. The document was not a decision for the whole Conference and it did not violate anything.
HAMZA KHALIF (Algeria) thanked the six Presidents for their efforts throughout the year with the objective of reaching consensus on a programme of work that would be satisfactory to everybody. Algeria also associated itself with the condolences expressed by other delegations to the Government, people and members of the families of victims in China and Myanmar, in the wake of the painful disasters that had affected both countries.
Concerning the work of the Conference, Mr. Khalif said that they had sensed today certain positive aspects and points. The European Union and Eastern European States had expressed their support for the document. These statements were positive elements indicating that they were coming closer to the consensus they were all seeking to attain. This consensus should be the hallmark of the Conference’s work and it was felt that they coming closer to it. The six Presidents had also said that they remained open to any comments by the delegations. It should not be overlooked that some criticism had also been expressed in today’s statements and Algeria hoped that the President would find the right formula to bring different viewpoints together, and that he would have enough flexibility to accept certain points in order to achieve consensus.
WESAKA PUJA (Indonesia) expressed Indonesia’s sympathy and deep condolences to the Governments of China and Myanmar. Concerning the work of the Conference on Disarmament, it was a common hope to witness, during this second part of the session, somewhat more encouraging and unprecedented developments. The delegation of Indonesia was open and flexible to new approaches. Flexibility was needed in order to get the Conference on Disarmament back on track. The six Presidents’ efforts were appreciated. Nuclear disarmament was the highest priority and Indonesia was ready to discuss the propositions made.
AFTAB KHOKHER (Pakistan) expressed Pakistan’s condolences to the people of China and Myanmar. On the draft Presidential decision, deficiencies in the document had been pointed out in today’s statements. These comments were appreciated and Pakistan hoped that a balanced programme of work could soon be reached.
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