CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT HEARS STATEMENTS FROM SEVEN STATES AND THE GROUP OF 21

The Conference on Disarmament this morning heard statements from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, speaking on behalf of the Group of 21, Morocco, the Russian Federation, Ireland, Colombia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Italy, many setting out their disarmament and non-proliferation priorities, and calling for the Conference to seize a positive momentum in international disarmament affairs to make an early return to substantive work.

For the Group of 21, the achievement of total nuclear disarmament remained a longstanding commitment and priority, and it supported the Non-Aligned Movement position that a balanced and comprehensive programme of work should be achieved, inter alia, by establishing an ad hoc committee on nuclear disarmament as soon as possible. For Russia, the prevention of an arms race in outer space was the absolute priority in the Conference. The entry into force of the Russian-Chinese draft treaty on this subject, submitted to the Conference in February 2008, would contribute not only to the prevention of an arms race in outer space, but to the predictability of the strategic situation. With regard to Ireland, the highest priority was the complete and verifiable elimination of nuclear weapons. It was high time that nuclear weapons joined chemical and biological weapons among the weapons outlawed by the international community, Ireland said. Colombia had pressed for nuclear disarmament to have pride of place in the work of the Conference. If that happened, the enormous resources that were being expended on arms could be channelled towards abolishing hunger, which plagued millions today. Indonesia highlighted that non-nuclear weapon States had the right to require that nuclear weapon States provide effective legally binding assurances to non-nuclear-weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons; unilateral declarations were not enough.

In brief statements Sri Lanka pledged to continue to actively participate in the deliberations of the Conference in its bid to forge ahead, and Italy announced its Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Vincenzo Scotti, planned to address the Conference on Tuesday, 9 February

At the end of the meeting, Ambassador Abdul Hannan of Bangladesh, President of the Conference, set out the state of play of consultations on a programme of work, saying further consultations were needed before he submitted something to the Conference, “hopefully soon”.

Earlier, President Hannan welcomed the new Ambassadors of Sri Lanka and Ireland to the Conference.


The next public plenary of the Conference will be held on Thursday, 4 February, at 10 a.m.


Statements

RI JANG GON (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea), speaking on behalf of the Group of 21, noted that the achievement of total nuclear disarmament remained a longstanding commitment and priority of the Group of 21. The Group would further like to highlight that, in the Final Document of the 2009 Sharm El Sheikh Summit, the Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement had reaffirmed the importance of the Conference on Disarmament as the sole multilateral negotiating body on disarmament, and had reiterated their call on the Conference to agree on a balanced and comprehensive programme of work by, inter alia, establishing an ad hoc committee on nuclear disarmament as soon as possible and as the highest priority. They had also emphasized the necessity to start negotiations on a phased programme for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons, with a specified framework of time, including a Nuclear Weapons Convention. The Group of 21 believed that Member States would be able to reach consensus on providing the Conference with a balanced and comprehensive programme of work by taking into account the concerns of all States. In that connection, the Group of 21 reiterated its readiness to make a constructive contribution to the work of the Conference.

OMAR HILALE (Morocco) noted that the 2010 session of the Conference on Disarmament was being held in a positive international environment for disarmament negotiations. Highlighted in that regard were the declarations by the United States and the Russian Federation of their intentions to conclude a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, and the eighth Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which was to take place in New York in September. The positive atmosphere generated by those and other events had been preceded by a number of encouraging developments, including the adoption in the Conference on Disarmament in May 2009 of a programme of work after years of inaction, as well as the positive spirit that had been observed at the Conference on article XIV on the facilitation of the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty in September 2009, where the Chinese and Americans had indicated their commitment to working towards the entry into force of the Treaty. Those developments had generated an impetus that the Disarmament Conference should exploit. Morocco joined the call made by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the Conference's opening meeting this year – that 2010 should be a historic year for disarmament and non-proliferation. The international community would never understand if the Conference stood outside of the growing global impetus for disarmament.

A rapid return to negotiations within the Conference was an international priority. To that end, Morocco called on the Conference to adopt an integrated and pragmatic approach with a view to considering current international matters that required its attention. Those included the urgent need to elaborate a non-discriminatory, verifiable treaty prohibiting the production of fissile material, which took into consideration current stockpiles. Also important was the need to engage in negotiations for a binding treaty on negative security assurances that would protect non-nuclear-weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons. Unilateral declarations by nuclear weapon States on non-first use were insufficient, as they were not legally binding and were reversible. Thirdly, there was a need to prevent an arms race in outer space, which was more than ever a reality given the militarization of space and the expansion of the club of countries with space capabilities. Finally, Morocco underscored concerns over reports that terrorists were seeking to obtain nuclear materials to make "dirty bombs". International cooperation was more necessary than ever to prevent international terrorism. Aware of that, Morocco had organized an international seminar in Rabat from 3 to 5 June 2009 on the prevention of the illicit traffic on nuclear and radioactive material. Morocco reiterated the importance it attached to all questions relative to multilateral disarmament and renewed its commitment to work with all members towards a rapid re-launching of substantive work in the Conference.

VALERY LOSHCHININ (Russian Federation) noted that the Conference had already achieved its first important step this year by agreeing in an agenda. It had not been simple. Delegations had had to show flexibility to negotiate on items which had been traditional. They were beginning their work in a decisive period. Many efforts had been made over the past year to improve the international environment, including the Russian-American initiative to renew a Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. Russia considered it necessary to use that new attitude towards solving collective tasks in the area of security. Multilateral disarmament should be moved out of deadlock and there should be a start once again to negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament. The United Nations had to continue to play a central role in collective efforts to support international peace and security, to prevent proliferation of nuclear weapons and their means of delivery, as well as to face emerging threats. In that regard, Russia was of the view that the challenges facing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) should be dealt with within the framework of that Treaty.

Russia had taken decisive steps to fulfil its obligations to achieve nuclear disarmament. It had completed implementation of the START I Treaty, and negotiations on a new treaty were entering their final stage. Russia had also fully implemented a unilateral Presidential initiative of 1991 and 1992 on non-strategic nuclear weapons. In addition, it confirmed its commitment to the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. The proposal of the President of 12 October 2007 to render that Treaty global could be an important factor in strengthening security at both regional and global levels. Russia also supported the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, which it had ratified in 2000. Russia noted the important role of the Conference in the cause of strengthening international security, and thanked all involved for their work in achieving consensus on the 2010 agenda. Russia favoured an early adoption of a programme of work in 2010 and an early start to work. The prevention of an arms race in outer space was the absolute priority in the Conference for Russia. The entry into force of the Russian-Chinese draft treaty on this subject, submitted to the Conference in February 2008, would contribute not only to the prevention of an arms race in outer space, but would contribute to the predictability of the strategic situation. To that end, Russia supported the continuing mandate of the working group on prevention of an arms race in outer space, so that when the time was ripe, they could move quickly to negotiations. At the end of last year's session, along with China, Russia had submitted to the Conference the results of consultations with States so far on this issue, in document CD/1872. Russia also supported the establishing of a working group to discuss effective international agreements to assure non-nuclear-weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons, as well as the extension of nuclear-weapon-free zones and the creation of new ones. In the meantime, they needed to achieve consensus as soon as possible on a programme of work and to resume substantive negotiations as soon as possible. Russia also agreed with the Secretary-General that 2010 should be a historic year for disarmament.

GERARD CORR (Ireland) said, first and foremost, Ireland attached the highest priority to the complete and verifiable elimination of nuclear weapons. It was high time that nuclear weapons joined chemical and biological weapons among the weapons outlawed by the international community. As had been highlighted by many, including the New Agenda Coalition to which Ireland belonged, as long as any State had nuclear weapons, others would want them, and any use of a nuclear weapon would be catastrophic. The only way to deal with the threat to humanity they posed was to eliminate them. Pending the complete and verifiable elimination of all nuclear weapons, Ireland supported the taking of practical steps to prevent their further proliferation and avoid nuclear war. Ireland believed that the Conference should add to its list of achievements a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. The negotiation of such a treaty was long overdue. For such a treaty to be meaningful, it should include a verification mechanism and cover existing stocks. Ireland also supported work towards the other "core" issues of the Conference, such as the formulation of legally binding negative security assurances to protect non-nuclear weapon States from the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons, and prevention of an arms race in outer space; but Ireland did not exclude that the Conference might be able to do valuable work in other areas.

Ireland continued to attach the highest importance to engagement with civil society. As well as the adoption of a programme of work, the year 2009 had been notable for one other development, which had been especially welcome to Ireland – the fact that the Conference, for the first time, had held informal meetings at which representatives of non-governmental organizations had made statements on issues related to the agenda items of the Conference. Ireland hoped that that experience could be repeated and would lay the ground for enhanced interaction between civil society and the Conference, to their mutual benefit. The further enlargement of the membership of the Conference was also an issue deserving of attention, together with consideration of whether its working methods were fit for its purpose in today’s world.

ANGELINO GARZON (Colombia) observed that 2010 was a crucial year for the future of the Conference on Disarmament. The credibility and reputation of the Conference would depend once again on the political will and flexibility they could all muster for a second consecutive year. Working together they could build great projects step by step. They had already adopted the agenda. Now they had to take the second step – the early adoption of a programme of work for 2010. Colombia considered last year's programme of work as useful and viable, which could serve as the basis for consultations with all members. In addition, a programme of work had to reflect and tackle the interests of all delegations as an essential element. Colombia had pressed for nuclear disarmament to have pride of place in the work of the Conference. If that happened, the enormous resources that were being expended on arms could be channelled towards abolishing hunger, which plagued millions today. Colombia also considered that the Conference was ready to begin negotiations on a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices, which would be an important contribution to international peace and security.

While the Conference needed to focus on those issues just mentioned, Colombia also considered that it would be useful to consider once again the issue of enlarging the membership of the Conference. At the same time, it was important that civil society participate in their debates. Civil society participation in other forums had demonstrated that the admission of other points of view would contribute to progress on themes as complex and sensitive as those before the Conference.

KSHENUKA SENEVIRATNE (Sri Lanka) said that, in order to preserve the unique role of that body, it was vital that the Conference began its substantive work on the basis of a comprehensive and balanced programme of work, at an early stage. In that regard, much progress had been achieved last year with the able leadership of Ambassador Idriss Jazairy of Algeria together with his P-6 (Six Presidents) colleagues. Therefore, Sri Lanka was confident that the current President, together with his P-6 colleagues, would continue to build on that progress in reaching an early agreement this year. As in the past, Sri Lanka would continue to remain committed and would actively participate in the deliberations of the Conference in a bid to forge ahead, while taking into account the concerns of all delegations, and in compliance with the rules of procedure, so that the Conference could commence its substantive work without further delay.

DESRA PERCAYA (Indonesia) said Indonesia aligned itself with the statement made by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on behalf of the Group of 21. Indonesia had welcomed the report of the International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Nuclear Disarmament, which had provided a good overview of the state of play and provided a comprehensive agenda in those areas. It touched on disarmament, non-proliferation as well as peaceful uses of nuclear energy, setting out measures to be taken in the short, medium and long term. One of the points underlined by the Commission was that nuclear weapons were among the most inhuman ever conceived, as they were indiscriminate as to whom they killed and they were the only ones able to destroy life on the planet. Indeed, the nuclear weapons currently in existence could destroy the planet many times over. Indonesia reiterated in that connection that the only guarantee against the use or threat of use of such weapons were their total elimination. Nuclear weapon States had to re-evaluate and reassess their nuclear doctrine and policies.

In relation to global disarmament affairs, it was noted that the NPT Review Conference was approaching. Indonesia reiterated its position that the Review Conference should look at nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy in a balanced manner. Nuclear weapon States should undertake their Article VI obligations. Focusing on one pillar of the NPT alone would do little to ensure their nuclear security. Moreover, non-nuclear weapon States had the right to require that nuclear weapon States provide effective legally binding assurances to non-nuclear-weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons. Unilateral declarations were not enough. That, at the same time, would play an important role in the prevention of proliferation of such weapons. Indonesia also supported the conclusion of a non-discriminatory, verifiable fissile material treaty that included existing stockpiles.

GIOVANNI MANFREDI (Italy) said that Italy's full political commitment to support the Conference’s task to negotiate treaties on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation had led them to decide again this year to send their Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Vincenzo Scotti, to address the Conference on Tuesday, 9 February.

ABDUL HANNAN (Bangladesh), President of the Conference, outlining the status of consultations on a programme of work for this year’s session, said that, immediately after the adoption of the agenda on 26 January 2010, he had initiated consultations with the objective of an early adoption of the programme of work for the 2010 session. During his consultations, he had received various submissions and views on the draft programme of work. He had also consulted the incoming Presidents of the 2010 session. He would need further consultation before being able to submit something for consideration by the Conference.


From his consultations, he had sensed urgency on the part of a number of delegations on an early adoption of a programme of work. Many had mentioned that CD/1864 (the programme of work adopted for the 2009 session) should form the basis of this year’s programme of work; but he had also heard different opinions and positions. However, all the delegations he had consulted had told him that engagement with the aim of getting everyone on board was perhaps the right way to proceed before trying something else. In light of that, he would hold further consultations before he proposed something to the Conference, hopefully soon. In the spirit of transparency and inclusiveness in the Conference’s work, he would hold informal consultations following the plenary next Thursday, 4 February, on the development of a draft programme of work.

For use of the information media; not an official record

DC10/004E