NORTH KOREA'S CHEMICAL WEAPONS THREAT TO CONVENTION AND SECURITY, REPUBLIC OF KOREA TELLS FIRST COMMITTEE
Press Release
GA/DIS/3026
NORTH KOREA'S CHEMICAL WEAPONS THREAT TO CONVENTION AND SECURITY, REPUBLIC OF KOREA TELLS FIRST COMMITTEE
19951019 Democratic People's Republic of Korea Says Issue is Sovereignty; States 'Nuclear Issue' Is Foreign Deployment of Nuclear Weapons on PenninsulaNorth Korea's possession of chemical weapons and failure to join international efforts to ban them was a serious threat to the effectiveness of the chemical weapons Convention and the security of the Republic of Korea, that country's representative said this afternoon in the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security).
Addressing the Committee as it continued its general debate, he said that the ultimate resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue would be possible only when North Korea fully complied with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards agreement, lived up to its non-proliferation commitments under the joint declaration for the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, and fully implemented its Agreed Framework with the United States.
Speaking in exercise of the right of reply, the representative of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea said he was opposed to chemical weapons on principle, but certain provisions of the chemical weapons Convention could be used to abuse his country. The question of signing the Convention was a sovereign right of his country. South Korea had no say in that matter.
He added that he hoped South Korea would abolish all the chemical and nuclear weapons that were stockpiled on South Korean military bases. As for the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula, it was South Korea that had allowed foreign forces to deploy nuclear weapons on Korean territory.
Statements were also made by the representatives of Ukraine, United Republic of Tanzania, Philippines, Bangladesh, Estonia, Romania and Botswana. The representatives of France and the Philippines also spoke in exercise of the right of reply.
The First Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. Friday, 20 October, to continue its general exchange of views.
Committee Work Programme
The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) met this afternoon to continue its general exchange of views on a wide range of disarmament initiatives and a number of international disarmament agreements. Those include the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space and Under Water (partial test-ban Treaty), the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and of Their Destruction (chemical weapons Convention), and the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction (biological weapons Convention).
Other agreements under discussion include the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects (Convention on indiscriminate conventional weapons), the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco), the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Rarotonga), and the Treaty on the Prohibition of the Emplacement of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction on the Seabed and the Ocean Floor and in the Subsoil Thereof (Seabed Treaty).
Other matters being considered by the Committee include the 1995 Review and Extension Conference of the States parties to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, negotiations aimed at concluding a comprehensive test-ban treaty, the Register of Conventional Arms, and the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the international non-proliferation regime. The Committee was also likely to consider such bilateral agreements as the Treaty on the Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (START). (For background, see Press Release GA/DIS/3020 of 11 October.)
Statements
ANATOLI ZLENKO (Ukraine) said the decision to indefinitely extend the NPT had been of particular importance to his country, whose accession to the Treaty had been anything but simple. Never aiming to possess nuclear weapons, Ukraine inherited the world's third largest nuclear potential. The accession to the NPT and the ratification of START I had demonstrated the peaceful nature of his country's policy, and its desire for the establishment of a non-nuclear world. Although important progress had been made in the area of security assurances, it was important that the NPT attain a truly universal nature. The early ratification of START II, as well as the participation of the United Kingdom, France and China in reducing strategic offensive weapons, could substantially contribute to strengthening peace and security.
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Stressing the importance of concluding a comprehensive test-ban treaty, he welcomed the decisions by France, the United States and the United Kingdom regarding the scope of such a treaty. Agreement by all States on a "zero-yield" ban would considerably advance the negotiating process. He appealed to all nuclear States to refrain from nuclear tests, thus demonstrating their desire for a non-nuclear world. Equally important would be the conclusion of a universally applicable and non-discriminatory ban on the production of fissile materials for weapons purposes.
He said Ukraine would submit a draft resolution on international cooperation in controlling cross-border trafficking and preventing illicit trade in nuclear materials. He hoped to see the chemical weapons Convention enter into force as soon as possible and supported the strengthening of the biological weapons Convention. His Government had introduced a four-year moratorium on the export of anti-personnel land-mines and submitted data to the United Nations Register on Conventional Arms. Despite considerable economic difficulties, Ukraine would spare no effort to reduce its weaponry and equipment under the terms of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE Treaty).
MARWA M. MATIKO (United Republic of Tanzania) said the Committee must take stock of past mistakes and "liberate man from the scourge of the senseless weapons of mass destruction". Did modern civilization really need nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction? Did governments need to spend millions of dollars to produce deadly weapons when most of the world suffered widespread poverty? The life of the world's people must not be gambled with for another 50 years. Today there was a golden opportunity to pursue world peace and security.
He said the United States and the Russian Federation should proceed without delay to ratify START II to enable deeper reductions, and enter into negotiations for START III. While the NPT Review and Extension Conference was welcomed, it should not dilute the urgency with which nuclear weapon States should commit themselves to the complete elimination of all weapons of mass destruction.
He regretted the failure of the Disarmament Commission to achieve consensus on two crucial agenda items, the item on nuclear disarmament and the review of the Declaration of the 1990s as the Third Disarmament Decade. That was a clear example of bad faith negotiation on the part of nuclear-weapon States unwilling to part with their nuclear weapons. Regarding the ongoing negotiations in Geneva for a comprehensive test-ban treaty, it was disappointing that the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and security assurances were not getting the attention they deserved. In addition, there should be universal abstinence from nuclear testing in anticipation of the signing of a comprehensive test-ban treaty in 1996. Regarding the banning of the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons, the world's safety and
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security were at risk from the smuggling of such materials. Negotiations must start sooner than later and stockpiles, not just future production, should be included in the discussions.
He said that Africa, Latin America and Asia continued to make sacrifices in the field of non-proliferation and asked only for a speedy end to the arms race. Africa recently concluded a treaty that paved the way for the creation of the African nuclear-weapon-free zone, which would complement the Treaties of Rarotonga and Tlatelolco. He was particularly interested in the creation of a zone of peace in the Indian Ocean, which had been on the agenda of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Indian Ocean for more than 20 years. Efforts to conclude such work had foundered because of the decision by some Member States, including major western Powers, not to participate in the work of the Ad Hoc Committee.
JAIME C. LOPEZ (Philippines) said the United Nations work in the area of confidence-building was of immense importance and value. While problems remained in the area of disarmament, the veil of secrecy that obscured the positions of States had been lifted with the ending of the cold war. "Though States will always continue to deal in euphemisms and diplomatese, much trust and sincerity have sprung forth from this new openness", he said. Much of the Committee's work would be geared towards strengthening the new sense of transparency and trust.
He said the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) had embarked on a bold initiative to bring together regional foreign ministers and senior officials to talk about security. On another level, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific had provided value opportunities for academics and policy makers to discuss regional political and security issues.
At the same time, the continued refusal of two nuclear-Power States to halt nuclear testing directly threatened current efforts to end nuclear proliferation, he said. "Those States that seek to downplay the seriousness of this situation should ask themselves if they want to start another journey of fear and distrust for the world community", he said. "Those States that seek to serve short-term and partisan interests by waffling on this issue should reflect on the long-term consequences of their actions."
PARK SOO GIL (Republic of Korea) said that while the indefinite extension of the NPT was a watershed in the field of disarmament, its objectives had not yet been met. The early conclusion of a treaty banning nuclear testing was of foremost importance. The decision to include the Korean Seismological Research Station at Wonju as one of the 50 primary stations under the international monitoring system was welcomed. Through the Wonju station, his Government was ready to contribute to the implementation of the verification network under the comprehensive test-ban treaty. Immediate negotiations on a treaty for a ban in the production of fissile material were
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also endorsed. It was regrettable that some countries were still engaged in nuclear testing despite progress towards the conclusion of a comprehensive treaty.
He said the slow rate of ratification of the chemical weapons Convention and the fact that some countries still remained outside its regime -- particularly those which were suspected of developing or possessing chemical weapons -- was a matter of grave concern.
"In particular, the fact that North Korea, a State which is known to possess a large cache of chemical weapons and still stands outside the international efforts to ban chemical weapons, causes serious concern about the effectiveness of the chemical weapons Convention, as well as the security of our own country", he said. "North Korea's adhesion to, ratification of, and full compliance with the Convention will significantly reduce the threat of chemical weapons in the region."
On the issue of transparency in armaments, he expressed support for the efforts of the Conference on Disarmament. While the Register of Conventional Arms was useful, universal participation was key to its success. Prompt attention should be given to anti-personnel land-mines, which posed a particular threat to returning refugees and to humanitarian relief delivery. His Government had officially declared a one-year moratorium on the export of anti-personnel land-mines.
He welcomed the Agreed Framework between the United States and North Korea of 21 October 1994 as a positive step towards the ultimate resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue, which had posed a serious challenge to the NPT regime. The ultimate resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue would be possible only when North Korea fully complied with the IAEA safeguards agreement, lived up to its non-proliferation commitments under the joint denuclearization declaration of the Korean Peninsula, and fully implemented the Agreed Framework.
He said that for the Conference on Disarmament to remain a relevant and universal regime for disarmament, its membership should be expanded and open to all countries with a serious interest in disarmament. The Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific at Kathmandu was an indispensable mechanism for regional disarmament. It should be enabled to continue its work despite financial distress.
MOHAMMAD ZIAUDDIN (Bangladesh) expressed concern about non-military sources of instability, such as the widening North-South gap in socio-economic development, which posed real threats to international peace and security. Achievement of a comprehensive test ban would greatly enhance the prospect for realizing all other disarmament goals. Such a ban must provide for the complete cessation of all nuclear tests on a "zero-yield" basis. It must also provide for a universal and non-discriminatory verification system.
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Citing the decision by certain NPT States to resume nuclear testing, he said the immediate reinstatement of a moratorium on all nuclear tests would help expedite the negotiation of the comprehensive test-ban treaty. Bangladesh supported the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones and zones of peace, which could supplement global efforts towards totally eliminating nuclear weapons.
The expansion of the Conference on Disarmament was an urgent matter, he said. It was also urgent that all States which had not yet signed and ratified the chemical weapons Convention do so, in order to bring it into force. Efforts should be made to develop a legally binding regime to verify implementation of the biological weapons Convention before the convening of that Treaty's review conference. Bangladesh hoped there would be a continued decline in world-wide military spending that went beyond legitimate security needs. A significant portion of the resulting proceeds should be channelled to development.
TRIVIMI VELLISTE (Estonia) aligned himself with the views of the European Union and referred to the statement by his Minister for Foreign Affairs to the General Assembly that a former Russian nuclear submarine training facility in Estonia had been closed about one month ago.
He said that regardless of the achievements in disarmament there were still "tactless threats" to use military power against other States or groups of States. Those were provocative and disrespectful towards the efforts of regional and international organizations pursuing stability and peace. Measures to discourage such reckless statements by Member States should be considered. He supported further strengthening the conventions on conventional weapons. States should adhere to the limits of conventional arms envisaged by the conventions, rather than use national security requirements as an excuse to increase the number of conventional weapons.
ROMULUS NEAGU (Romania) stressed the importance of finalizing the comprehensive test-ban treaty no later than mid-1996, launching substantive negotiations on a ban of fissile materials for weapons purposes, and deepening the dialogue on increased security assurances for non-nuclear-weapon States. The comprehensive treaty must ban all nuclear tests. Romania welcomed the decisions by France, United States and the United Kingdom to support a "zero- yield" test ban. It welcomed the commitment of the five nuclear-weapon States to embrace a comprehensive test ban by 1996.
Codifying the cessation of the production of weapons-grade fissile materials in a legally binding instrument would reassure the world community that those materials were not being secretly produced or procured, he said. It was also hoped that negotiations might begin on a legally binding instrument on security assurances for non-nuclear-weapon States.
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Romania had ratified the chemical weapons Convention and had taken steps connected with its implementation, he said. To promote implementation of the biological weapons Convention, Romania was working towards achievement of a draft protocol on verification. He welcomed the recent agreement on the banning of blinding weapons but regretted that it had not yet been possible to take action on protecting civilians from anti-personnel land-mines. He stressed the importance of launching a more business-like debate on transparency in armaments. A code of conduct for international transfers of conventional arms would promote restraint and responsibility in such transfers.
TEBELELO A. BOANG (Botswana) said that "the hopes and aspirations of the non-nuclear-weapon States were dashed" when two nuclear-weapon States had continued nuclear testing. Such activity did not bode well for the trust bestowed upon those States at the NPT Review Conference. Nor did such activity contribute to an atmosphere conducive to the speedy conclusion of a comprehensive test-ban treaty. He favoured a treaty that would completely ban all nuclear testing. Of equal importance was the prohibition of the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons.
He said that, having forfeited the deterrent option, a legally binding international instrument was the "legitimate right" and the best clear assurance for non-nuclear-weapon States against the threat of nuclear weapons. He was seriously concerned by the reluctance of nuclear-weapon States to work towards the adoption of such an instrument. The final text of a treaty on an African nuclear-weapon-free zone further reflected Botswana's resolve.
The illicit trafficking in arms was also a source of serious concern, he said. The rate of violent crimes and illicit drug trafficking was directly related to the surge of such arms trafficking. However, without the backing of the international community, efforts made by countries to avert the flourishing illicit trade would be severely curtailed. The successful conclusion of negotiations on guidelines for international arms transfers would go a long way towards reducing, if not halting, the international illicit arms traffic.
Right of Reply
KIM CHANG GUK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) said he wished to respond to the "absurd statement by the South Korean representative about our country". His country had bitter experience with chemical weapon attacks during the Korean war. It therefore opposed chemical weapons on principle. "However, we are on cease-fire", he said, adding that certain provisions of the chemical weapons Convention could be used to abuse his country. It was inappropriate that a party at war with the People's Republic should urge it to sign that Convention.
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On implementation of the safeguards agreement, he said "we are now settling the nuclear issue with the United States. It can only be settled between us and the United States". Apparently, the South Korean representative did not know that the key to settlement of the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula was based on the Agreed Framework. It was South Korea that had allowed foreign forces to deploy nuclear weapons on Korean territory.
JOELLE BOURGOIS (France) said several delegations today had criticized the final campaign of nuclear tests being carried out by France. She referred them to her previous interventions. France's actions were in conformity with the spirit and letter of its international commitments. France had contributed to decisive progress towards an unlimited test ban by endorsing the zero-option and announcing its intention to conclude testing when the current campaign was completed.
Mr. LOPEZ (Philippines), replying to the statement just made by France, said any further nuclear testing was inimical to the kind of international climate needed to promote arms control and disarmament. His country remained resolutely opposed to all nuclear testing under any pretext or any reason. He hoped the nuclear-weapon States would reflect carefully on the concerns that had been expressed by the international community, particularly by France's neighbours in the South Pacific. He called on the concerned nuclear States to "come to their senses".
Mr. PARK (Republic of Korea) said the North Korean delegation had claimed that it was against chemical weapons. He sincerely hoped it could substantiate that claim by acceding to the regime of the chemical weapons Convention as soon as possible.
Mr. KIM (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) said the question of signing the Convention was a sovereign right of his country. South Korea had no say in that matter. He hoped South Korea would abolish all the chemical and nuclear weapons stockpiled at South Korean military bases.
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