FOURTH COMMITTEE APPROVES DRAFT RESOLUTION CALLING FOR PREVENTION OF ARMS RACE IN OUTER SPACE

Press Release
GA/SPD/74

FOURTH COMMITTEE APPROVES DRAFT RESOLUTION CALLING FOR PREVENTION OF ARMS RACE IN OUTER SPACE

Provisions also Deal with Rule of Law in Outer Space; Availability To All of Space Benefits; Space Debris; Convening of Third Space Conference

The General Assembly would urge all States, particularly those with major space capabilities, to prevent an arms race in outer space, by a draft resolution approved this morning by the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization), as it concluded its consideration of international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.

By the terms of the draft, which was approved without a vote, the General Assembly would reaffirm the importance of international cooperation in developing the rule of law for the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes. It would emphasize the need to increase the benefits of space technology and its applications, and to contribute to an orderly growth of space activities favourable to the socio-economic advancement of humanity, particularly for people in developing countries.

The Assembly would consider it essential for Member States to pay more attention to the problem of collisions between space objects, including nuclear power sources and space debris. It would call for continued national research for the development of improved technology to monitor space debris and for the compilation and dissemination of data on the issue. It would also recommend that more attention be paid to the protection and preservation of the outer space environment.

The General Assembly would invite States that were not yet parties to the international treaties governing the use of outer space to consider ratifying or acceding to them. It would endorse the United Nations Programme on Space Applications for 1996, and emphasize the urgency of fully implementing the recommendations of UNISPACE 82. The Assembly would agree that a third conference on space could be convened before the turn of the century.

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The representative of Cuba said the militarization of outer space and the remote sensing of the world's resources to exploit them for economic gain were a kind of colonization and the Committee should condemn such practices. All States had the right to benefit from the peaceful uses of space technology and the establishment of regional centres was an important step forward.

The representative of Pakistan said measures should be adopted to develop an adequate programme of technical assistance and transfer of space technology to developing countries. There should be a comprehensive convention to prevent an arms race in outer space. Anti-satellite weapons and ballistic missile-defence systems that could be used from outer space should be banned and dismantled.

Iran said the transfer of space technology to developing countries and free access to space data were the key elements of international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. Enhanced cooperation between the Committee on Outer Space and the Conference on Disarmament would facilitate the early conclusion of an agreement on the demilitarization of outer space.

The representative of the Russian Federation said the work of the Committee on Outer Space should be reformed; its members could not afford to indulge in superficial reform proposals. There had been an overload of agenda items which flew in the face of common sense. Priority must be given to limited work on key elements. Dialogue on the geostationary orbit should be revived to ensure an effective way of solving the problem of overcrowding.

The representatives of Ukraine, Indonesia, Thailand, Uruguay, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Colombia and Mexico also spoke. The representative of Japan spoke in explanation of his position on the draft resolution.

The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m., Monday, 13 November, to begin consideration of the question of peace-keeping operations.

Committee Work Programme

The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) met this morning to continue its general debate on international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space, to take action on a draft resolution and to conclude its consideration of the issue.

It had before it the report of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (A/50/20) and the report of the Secretary-General on implementation of the recommendations of the Second United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE 82), (A/50/384). (For details, see Press Release GA/SPD/72 issued on 6 November 1995.)

Draft Resolution

The Committee also had before it a 9-page draft resolution (A/C.4/50/L.9), which was submitted by the Chairman of the Committee, Peter Hohenfellner (Austria).

By the draft, the General Assembly would reaffirm the importance of international cooperation in developing the rule of law for the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes, and express concern about the possibility of an arms race in outer space. The Assembly would recognize that all States, in particular those with major space capabilities, should contribute to the goal of preventing such an arms race. It would also consider that space debris is an issue of concern to all nations.

The Assembly would endorse the report of the Outer Space Committee and invite States that have not yet become parties to the international treaties governing the use of outer space to do so; and endorse the Committee's recommendations that its Scientific and Technical Subcommittee consider matters relating to the definition and delimitation of outer space and to the character of the geostationary orbit, including ways to ensure the equitable use of the orbit. It would also endorse the recommendation of the Committee that its Legal Subcommittee should suspend consideration of the Nuclear Power Source Principles pending the result of the work in the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee, but then continue its deliberations on the matter.

Also by the draft's terms, the Assembly would endorse the Outer Space Committee's recommendations on organization of work in the Legal Subcommittee, and on its working methods. And it would endorse the Committee's recommendation that, beginning with its next session, it be provided with unedited transcripts instead of verbatim records.

The Assembly would welcome the decision of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space to consider the space debris question as a priority matter on the agenda of its Scientific and Technical Subcommittee, and endorse the

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multi-year plan to consider it. The Assembly would also endorse the Committee's recommendations that that Subcommittee should also consider the following as priorities: the United Nations Programme on Space Applications; implementation of UNISPACE 82 recommendations; matters relating to remote sensing of the Earth by satellites; and the use of nuclear power sources in outer space.

Further, under the draft's terms, the Assembly would endorse the recommendations of the Committee that its Scientific and Technical Subcommittee should consider items concerning space transportation systems; examination of the physical nature and technical attributes of the geostationary orbit and its use; life science matters, including space medicine; and progress in national and international space activities relating to the Earth's environment. Other items to be taken up by the Subcommittee relate to planetary exploration; to astronomy; and to the theme of the 1996 session of the Subcommittee -- "Utilization of micro- and small satellites for the expansion of low-cost space activities, taking into account the special needs of developing countries".

The General Assembly would consider by the draft that it is particularly urgent to carry out the following recommendations: that all countries have the opportunity to use the techniques resulting from medical studies in space; that data banks should be strengthened and an international space information service established as a coordination centre; that the United Nations support setting up adequate regional training centres; and that the United Nations should organize a fellowship programme on space technology for graduates from developing countries.

The General Assembly would, among other things, also decide to reconvene the Working Group on the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space and invite Member States to report to the Secretary-General regularly on national and international research concerning the safety of nuclear-powered satellites, would endorse the United Nations Programme on Space Applications for 1996, and invite the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its next session on the implementation of UNISPACE 82 recommendations.

The Assembly would agree that a third UNISPACE Conference could be convened before the turn of the century, and that, prior to recommending a date, there should be a consensus recommendation on the conference's agenda, venue and funding. The Assembly would further agree that the Outer Space Committee should consider all issues relating to the possible convening of the conference with a view to making a final recommendation to the General Assembly during 1996.

In addition, the Assembly would recommend that more attention be paid to protecting and preserving the outer space environment, especially activities that could affect the Earth's environment. It would consider it essential

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that Member States pay more attention to the problem of collisions of space objects, including nuclear power sources, with space debris, and call for continued national research on such debris, to develop better technology to monitor it and to disseminate data on the issue.

The General Assembly would urge all States, particularly those with major space capabilities, to contribute to the goal of preventing an arms race in outer space as an essential condition of the promotion of international cooperation in the exploration and peaceful uses of outer space. It would stress the need to increase the benefits of space technology and to contribute to an orderly growth of space activities favourable to the socio-economic advancement of humanity, particularly that of the people in developing countries.

The Assembly would request the Outer Space Committee to continue to consider at its next session the spin-off benefits of space technology. It would also request the specialized agencies and other international organizations to continue and, where appropriate, enhance their cooperation with the Committee and to provide it with progress reports on their work relating to the peaceful uses of outer space. It would request the Committee to continue to consider new projects in outer space activities and to submit a report to the General Assembly at its next session, including its views on subjects to be studied in the future.

Introduction of Draft, Statements Made

After the representative of Austria introduced the draft resolution, the following statements were made:

S. PIROZHKOV (Ukraine) said the launching of the first Ukrainian spaceship, Sich'-1, had established his country as a space nation, which would inevitably lead to its increased cooperation with other members of the world community, particularly developing countries in the peaceful uses of outer space. There was an increased need for a spin-off from the benefits of the application of space technologies for developing countries and nations with economies in transition.

He said his Government was interested in increasing the diversity of space technology applications; the development of new methods in the industrial measurement and control field; data processing; medicine; population safety, production of commodities and processing industry. Ukraine was already working on the application of space applications for forecasting and mitigation of the consequences of natural calamities and technogenic disasters. It supported the holding of a third UNISPACE conference by the end of the century and considered it would be another important step in the expansion of the peaceful uses of outer space.

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ISSLAMET POERNOMO (Indonesia) said space technology and its applications constituted a powerful tool for advancing global development especially for developing countries. But the majority of third world countries were at a disadvantage in fully utilizing the available knowledge, technological innovations and information infrastructures. The Committee had an important role to play in dealing with the complex questions of space science technology and the extension of the rule of law in mankind's last frontier.

Indonesia, as a developing country with a modest space programme, was firmly committed to promoting space technology and its application to advance national development. It had embarked on expanding space research and development by establishing a research infrastructure in remote sensing, meteorology and the environment and development. Outer space activities, including disaster warning and mitigation, and global search and rescue activities, were some areas which could be achieved by joining forces in major international, regional and bilateral projects. Regional cooperation in particular offered unprecedented opportunities for accelerating economic and social development.

CHARIVAT SANTAPUTRA (Thailand) said his country, like many others, enjoyed enormous benefits from space technology, particularly in an age of globalization. It had launched its second telecommunications satellite "THAICOM II" last year which would help expand the capacity for satellite communications for Thailand and its neighbours. It had also signed a memorandum of understanding with Canada on cooperation in space technology research and application. His Government had also exchanged space-related technologies, as well as joint scientific research, with others in outer space programmes such as the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme, the Global Research Network System with Japan and the Globe SAR Programme with Canada.

Thailand was committed to the peaceful uses of outer space and its capacity and ability in space-related programmes was relatively advanced within its region, he said. It was hosting the "WORLDTECH'95 Thailand" which includes space activities for international youth. The objective was to impress on international youth the importance of space technology and provide them with an opportunity to exchange information.

MARIA DEL LUJAN FLORES (Uruguay) said the work of the Committee on Outer Space reflected the international community's concern that global cooperation in scientific and technical fields be promoted, bearing in mind the needs of developing countries. There was a need for national norms to regulate space activities. Referring to the report of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee, she said her country shared the concern that various recommendations of the second United Nations Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space had not been implemented and hoped efforts would be made to do so in the future.

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Her Government placed particular importance on the work of UNISPACE 82, she said, and it was preparing for the third Space Conference of the Americas, which would be held in September 1996. The previous two international conferences had been milestones in helping speed the development of the application of space technologies in the region. The question of nuclear power sources should be aimed at strengthening the existing security level. There must be international cooperation to overcome the negative effects of space debris. A legal instrument on space objects which would cover space debris should be formulated as the space environment was important both to present and to future generations.

PEDRO NUNEZ MOSQUERA (Cuba) said all States, large and small, and with or without a high degree of technology had the right to benefit from the peaceful uses of space technology, and the work of the Committee on Outer Space was important to ensure that. His Government also believed that the establishment of regional centres such as the Conference of the Americas was also an important step in ensuring that all countries would benefit from space technology.

He said his Government objected to other proposals such as the one to shorten the sessions of the Outer Space Committee and the effort by some countries to minimize the work of its Scientific and Technical Subcommittee. It also opposed other attempts like the one to remove the matter of the exploration of outer space from a United Nations framework. All countries must benefit from the conquest of space and from the application of space technology, which would not be achieved by the militarization of outer space. The militarization of outer space and the remote sensing of the world's resources to exploit them for economic gain was in essence a type of colonization, and the Committee should see to it that such practices were condemned and eliminated.

SHAUKAT MAZARI (Pakistan) said his Government fully supported the view that outer space was the common heritage of all mankind. Appropriate measures should be taken to develop an adequate programme of technical assistance and transfer of space technology to developing countries. Those measures, based on the principle of equity, should be adopted on a priority basis. Pakistan was extremely concerned that so many of the UNISPACE II recommendations had not been fully implemented, due mainly to lack of financial resources. Outer space should be used only for peaceful purposes to improve the human condition, and Pakistan's space programme was directed towards those goals.

He said Pakistan supported a comprehensive convention to prevent an arms race in outer space. Particular attention should be devoted to the banning of anti-satellite weapons as well as those ballistic missile-defence systems that could be used from outer space. His Government endorsed the multi-year work plan on space debris, and urged more attention be given to the definition and delimitation of outer space, the character and use of the geostationary orbit,

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and the conclusion of an early agreement on the legal aspects of the principle that outer space activities should be carried out for the benefit of all States. Pakistan attached great importance to speedy progress on the convening of a third UNISPACE conference.

JALAL SAMADI (Iran) said free access to space data and the transfer of technical capabilities in outer space exploration and use to developing countries were the key elements of cooperation in peaceful uses of space, and the Committee on Outer Space had an important role to play in that regard. It was essential to elaborate legal principles that would ensure that all countries would have access to and benefit from outer space activities, and the Committee should take that into account.

His Government attached great importance to the prevention of an arms race in outer space, he continued. Enhanced cooperation between the Committee on Outer Space and the Conference on Disarmament would facilitate the early conclusion of an agreement or agreements on the demilitarization of outer space. The convening of a third UNISPACE conference, especially in a developing country, by the end of the century, would create an opportunity for a greater number of countries and people to consider achievements in space technology and its applications.

RI JANG GON (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) said that in dealing with the peaceful uses of outer space the issues of access to outer space and its exclusive use for peaceful purposes should not be overlooked. Space should not be an arena for a monopoly by a few countries with space capabilities. All countries had equal rights over space. Technical cooperation in outer space should be encouraged and strengthened and benefits shared by all. The development of space science and technology, a focal point in socio-economic development, should be promoted and introduced into developing countries without any prejudice.

He said the United Nations role should be strengthened so as to develop space resources and technology and promote international cooperation. Continued efforts must be made to narrow the technological gap that separates developed and developing countries, and the latter should be provided with preferential access to data banks containing information on natural resources and environmental protection. All space technologies should be conducted in a way that would prevent any harm to a country's national interests.

CLARA INES VARGAS DE LOSADA (Colombia) said international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space was of the utmost importance. Ensuring that developing countries were able to share in the use of space technology was the most appropriate way of implementing the principle that peaceful uses of outer space should benefit all mankind. Continued support should be given to the United Nations programme of space application because of the practical effects

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it could have for developing countries. The establishment of regional centres was also important.

Regarding the use of the geostationary orbit, she said her Government had presented a paper to the Committee on Outer Space and the debate had been most beneficial. Her country supported the convening of a third United Nations Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. The consideration of the problem of space debris and methods to deal with it should be considered by the Legal Subcommittee.

SERGEI ORDZHONIKIDZE (Russian Federation) said there was a need to reform the work of the Committee on Outer Space and its members could not afford to indulge in superficial reform proposals. Steps had already been taken to streamline its work. There had been an overload of agenda items which flew in the face of common sense. Priority must be given to limited work on key elements and to key agreements on outer space rather than to superficial considerations. It would then be possible to come up with substantive work.

On the work of the Legal Subcommittee, he said there must be new energy and dialogue as well as additional efforts to expand understanding. Concrete agenda items would be useful in helping to develop draft principles for the peaceful uses of outer space. There should be dialogue on the problem of the geostationary orbit, including the uses of telecommunications satellites. There must be an effective way of solving problems of the overcrowding of the orbit with obsolete objects. The important problem of space debris was a potential agenda item, and a way should be found to discuss the issue without politicizing it. The Legal Subcommittee could deal with ecological law pertaining to space debris.

JUAN MANUEL GONZALEZ BUSTOS (Mexico) said there was no doubt that international cooperation in outer space had changed dramatically, and the Outer Space Committee had played a vital role in promoting such cooperation so that all countries could benefit. But, in spite of its work, the continued persistence of technological imbalance in outer space was disturbing and the Committee should promote further international cooperation. It should be strengthened and revitalized, and its working methods reviewed.

He said it was urgent that the five international treaties on outer space become universally applicable as soon as possible. Of special importance were the questions of the definition and delimitation of outer space and the geostationary orbit, space debris, the convening of UNISPACE III, and the use of nuclear power sources in outer space.

The United Nations should play a central role in the coordination of measures to promote the peaceful uses of outer space, in defining legal regimes, and in supporting international cooperation. A lack of political

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will, he continued, was the main reason for stagnation in the Committee on Outer Space. Mexico and Brazil were chosen as headquarters to host a regional space centre for Latin America and the Caribbean and had reached agreement on all aspects relating to its establishment. The only pending issues were the modality and scope for affiliation with the United Nations. Mexico was committed to serve as a headquarters for the regional centre.

Action on draft resolution

The Committee approved the draft resolution without a vote.

Explanation of Position

YUKINARI HIROSE (Japan) said that while the introduction of unedited transcripts instead of verbatim records for the Committee on Outer Space would contribute to cost reductions, his Government still questioned whether there was even a need for unedited transcripts.

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