SOUTH ASIA NUCLEAR-WEAPON-FREE ZONE ENCOURAGED BY DRAFT TEXT APPROVED IN FIRST COMMITTEE

10 November 1995

Press Release
GA/DIS/3037

SOUTH ASIA NUCLEAR-WEAPON-FREE ZONE ENCOURAGED BY DRAFT TEXT APPROVED IN FIRST COMMITTEE

19951110 Eleven Draft Resolutions Approved, Four By Recorded Vote; Partial Test Ban, Prohibiting Nuclear Weapons among Other Approved Texts

The General Assembly would once again urge the States of South Asia to continue to make all possible efforts to establish a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region, by one of 11 draft texts approved this afternoon by the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security), as it began taking action on disarmament texts.

By other terms of the text, approved by a recorded vote of 133 in favour to 3 against (Bhutan, India, Mauritius) with 11 abstentions, the South Asian States would be asked to refrain from any action contrary to that objective. The Assembly would also ask the Secretary-General to report on consultations with States of the region that have explored ways of furthering the goal of a nuclear free zone. (For details of the vote see Annex I.)

The Assembly would urge all States not yet party to the Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space and Under Water (the partial test-ban Treaty) to adhere to it, by another draft resolution approved this afternoon. In addition, all States parties to the Treaty would be asked to contribute to the conclusion of a comprehensive nuclear-test-ban treaty as soon as possible and not later than 1996.

The text was approved by 95 votes in favour to 4 against (Israel, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, United States), with 44 abstentions (Annex II).

The Committee also approved a text by which the Assembly would restate its request to the Conference on Disarmament to begin negotiations in order to reach agreement on an international convention prohibiting the use or threatened use of nuclear weapons under any circumstances. The Conference could take as a possible basis a draft convention on the prohibition of the use of nuclear weapons, annexed to the draft resolution. The text was approved by a recorded vote of 95 in favour to 26 against, with 26 abstentions (Annex III).

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By a recorded vote of 102 in favour to 1 against (United States) with 45 abstentions, the Committee approved a draft decision by which the Assembly would include in the provisional agenda of its next session an item entitled "Non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and of vehicles for their delivery in all its aspects". (Annex IV will follow when available.)

By another draft decision, approved without a vote, the Assembly would call on all States to take appropriate measures to prevent any dumping of nuclear or radioactive wastes that would infringe on the sovereignty of States. The Conference on Disarmament would be asked to intensify efforts towards an early conclusion of a convention banning radiological weapons, and to take account of the question of radioactive wastes as part of the scope of such a convention.

The Assembly would call on all States of the Mediterranean region to adhere to the multilaterally negotiated legal instruments relating to disarmament, by a draft resolution on strengthening security and cooperation in the region approved without a vote. They would be invited to address cooperatively such regional problems as terrorism, international crime, illicit arms transfers and illicit drug production, consumption and trafficking. The Mediterranean States would be encouraged to strengthen confidence-building by promoting transparency and by providing accurate data to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms.

By another draft resolution approved without a vote, the General Assembly would urge the countries of the region that had not yet done so to ratify the amendments to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco), to further consolidate the region's regime of military denuclearization.

The Conference on Disarmament would be urged to continue as the highest priority its negotiations to conclude a comprehensive nuclear-test-ban treaty, by another draft resolution approved without a vote. The Assembly would also ask the Secretary-General to continue providing the Conference with adequate administrative, substantive and support services.

A draft resolution on United Nations disarmament fellowship, training and advisory services, also approved without a vote, would have the Assembly ask the Secretary-General to continue implementing the Geneva-based programme within existing resources. It would also commend him for the diligence with which the programme has been carried out.

The Assembly would invite governments and international and national non-governmental organizations to continue taking an active part in Disarmament Week, by another text approved without a vote. It would invite the Secretary-General to continue using United Nations information organs to promote better understanding among the world public of disarmament problems and of the aims of the Week.

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By a draft resolution on the relationship between disarmament and development, approved without a vote, the international community would be urged to devote part of the resources made available through disarmament to economic and social development. The Secretary-General would be asked to continue to take action to implement the action program adopted at the International Conference on the Relationship between Disarmament and Development.

Statements were made by the representatives of Myanmar, Indonesia, India, Colombia, Egypt, Mexico, Pakistan, Cuba, India, Georgia, Iran, Gabon, Indonesia, New Zealand, Israel, United States, Australia, Brazil, Japan, China, Czech Republic, Jordan, Israel, United Kingdom, Germany, Russian Federation and Libya.

The First Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. Monday, 13 November, to continue taking action on disarmament-related draft resolutions and decisions.

Committee Work Programme

The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) met this afternoon to begin taking action on disarmament-related draft resolutions and decisions. It had before it texts on the prohibition of biological weapons; non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; the report of the Conference on Disarmament; the Treaty of Tlatelolco; establishment of a nuclear-weapon- free zone in South Asia; the permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan; and United Nations disarmament fellowship, training and advisory services.

Other texts concern Disarmament Week; prohibiting the dumping of radioactive wastes; the relationship between disarmament and development; the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace; the report of the Disarmament Commission; partial test-ban Treaty; preventing an arms race in outer space; regional disarmament; conventional arms control at the regional and subregional levels; and a convention prohibiting the use of nuclear weapons.

A 47-nation revised draft resolution on the prohibition of biological weapons (document A/C.1/50/L.1/Rev.1) would have the Assembly call for "universal adherence" to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction by all States which had not yet signed or ratified it. The text would have the Assembly include the item in the provisional agenda of its fifty-first session.

Further terms of the draft would request the Secretary-General to continue to render the necessary assistance to the depository governments of the Convention, and to provide the necessary services for the implementation of the decisions and recommendations of the Third Review Conference, the Final Report of the Special Conference, and assistance to the Ad Hoc Group. The Secretary-General would be asked to render the necessary assistance and services for the Fourth Review Conference.

The draft is sponsored by Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Iceland, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Lithuania, Moldova, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom and the United States.

A draft decision submitted by Mexico (document A/C.1/50/L.2) would have the Assembly include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-first session an item entitled non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and of vehicles for their delivery in all its aspects.

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A draft resolution sponsored by Morocco on the report of the Conference on Disarmament (document A/C.1/50/L.4) would urge the Conference to make every effort to reach a consensus on its programme of work at the beginning of the 1996 session, and to continue as the highest priority its negotiations to conclude a comprehensive nuclear test-ban treaty.

The draft text would have the Conference of Disarmament submit a report on its work to the General Assembly at its fifty-first session. In addition, the text would request the Secretary-General to continue to provide the Conference with adequate administrative, substantive and support services. It would also have the Assembly decide to include the report of the Conference in the provisional agenda of its fifty-first session.

A 28-Power draft resolution on consolidation of the regime for the prohibition of nuclear weapons in Latin American and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco) (document A/C.1/50/L.5/Rev.1) welcomes the concrete steps taken by several countries of the region in the past year towards consolidation of the regime of military denuclearization. The text would urge the countries of the region that had not yet done so to ratify the amendments to the Treaty. It would have the Assembly decide to include such item in its fifty-first session.

The draft resolution is sponsored by Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay and Venezuela.

By a draft resolution proposed by Bangladesh and Pakistan on the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in South Asia (document A/C.1/50/L.6), the Assembly would urge once again the States of South Asia to continue to make all possible efforts to establish such a zone and to refrain from any action contrary to that objective. By the provisions of the draft, the Secretary-General would report to the Assembly at its fifty-first session on consultations with States of the region intended to explore the best possibilities of furthering the efforts for the establishment of a nuclear- free zone. The text would have the Assembly include the item in its fifty- first session.

By a 21-Power draft resolution on the permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan (document A/C.1/50/L.9), the Assembly would recognize and support the status of permanent neutrality declared by Turkmenistan. It would call on States Members of the United Nations to respect and support that status, and to respect that country's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The text is sponsored by Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Czech Republic, Colombia, Egypt, Georgia, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan,

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Malaysia, Moldova, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Senegal, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Ukraine.

A 36-Power draft resolution on United Nations disarmament fellowship, training and advisory services (document A/C.1/50/L.11) would have the Assembly ask the Secretary-General to continue implementing the Geneva-based programme within existing resources, and would commend him for the diligence with which the programme has been carried out. It would express appreciation to the Governments of Germany and France for inviting the 1995 fellows to study selected disarmament activities.

The draft resolution is sponsored by Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, China, Cuba, Ethiopia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Moldova, Mongolia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Romania, Russian Federation, Senegal, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, United States and Viet Nam.

Under the terms of a 27-Power draft resolution on Disarmament Week (document A/C.1/50/L.16) the Assembly would invite governments and international and national non-governmental organizations to continue taking an active part in the Week. It would invite the Secretary-General to continue using United Nations information organs to promote better understanding among the world public of disarmament problems and the aims of the Week. It would invite all States that so desire, in carrying out measures at the local level for the Week, to take account of elements of the model programme prepared by the Secretary-General (document A/34/436).

The draft resolution is sponsored by Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Costa Rica, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Samoa, Singapore, South Africa, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Viet Nam.

A draft decision submitted by South Africa on behalf of the African Group of States on the prohibition of the dumping of radioactive wastes (document A/C.1/50/L.22) would have the Assembly call on all States to take appropriate measures to prevent any dumping of nuclear or radioactive wastes. The Conference on Disarmament would be asked to include radioactive wastes in its scope of a convention prohibiting radiological weapons. The Conference was also requested to intensify efforts towards an early conclusion of the convention and to include the progress recorded in those negotiations in a report to the Assembly at its next session.

Further, the text expressed the hope that effective implementation of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Code of Practice on the International Transboundary Movement of Radioactive Waste would enhance the

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protection of all States from such dumping on their territories. Current efforts of the IAEA in the preparation of a draft convention on the safe management of radioactive waste were also welcomed.

By a draft resolution on the relationship between disarmament and development (document A/C.1/50/L.26), the international community would be urged to devote part of the resources made available through disarmament and arms limitation agreements to economic and social development. The Secretary- General would be asked to continue to take action on the implementation of the action programme adopted at the International Conference on the Relationship between Disarmament and Development. He would also be asked to submit a report on the subject to the Assembly's next session.

The text is sponsored by Colombia, on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.

By a draft resolution submitted by Colombia on the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace (document A/C.1/50/L.27), the Assembly would restate its conviction that the participation of all permanent members of the Security Council and major maritime users of the Indian Ocean in the work of the Ad Hoc Committee would greatly facilitate development of a mutually beneficial dialogue towards peace, security and stability in the region.

The Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee would be asked to consult with the permanent members of the Council and the major maritime users of the Ocean and to apprise the Committee of his consultations before its 1997 session. The Secretary-General would be asked to continue rendering all necessary assistance to the Committee, including provision of summary records.

A 14-Power draft resolution on the report of the Disarmament Commission (document A/C.1/50/L.28) would have the Assembly request that the Commission meet for a period not exceeding four weeks during 1996 and that it make every effort to conclude recommendations on its agenda items. It would encourage the Commission to continue enhancing its working methods and would recommend that it consider international arms transfers during its 1995 session, as well as two items to be determined at its 1995 organizational session.

The Assembly would ask that the Secretary-General provide the Commission and its subsidiary bodies with all necessary resources and services, including verbatim records; transmit to the Commission the annual report of the Conference on Disarmament; and provide it with all assistance needed to implement the current text. In commemoration of the United Nations fiftieth anniversary, he would also be asked to compile, in the form of a note by the Secretary-General, all texts of principles, guidelines or recommendations unanimously adopted by the Commission since its inception in 1978.

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By other terms of the text, the Assembly would express regret that the Commission was unable to agree on guidelines and recommendations for its item on nuclear disarmament with the aim of eliminating nuclear weapons. It would reaffirm the importance of further enhancing dialogue and cooperation among the First Committee, the Disarmament Commission and the Conference on Disarmament. It would also reaffirm the role of the Commission.

The draft resolution is sponsored by Belarus, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, Germany, Indonesia, Iran, Mongolia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Poland, South Africa, Sweden and Uruguay.

Under a 21-Power draft resolution concerning amendment of the Treaty banning nuclear weapon tests in the atmosphere, outer space and under water (the partial test-ban Treaty) (document A/C.1/50/L.32), all States not yet party to the Treaty would be urged to adhere to it, and all States parties to it would be asked to contribute to the conclusion of a comprehensive nuclear- test-ban treaty as soon as possible and no later than 1996. The President of the Amendment Conference was asked to conduct consultations to those ends. The Assembly would include the item in the provisional agenda of its fifty- first session.

The draft is sponsored by Bangladesh, Benin, Brunei Darussalam, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Nepal, Nigeria, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Republic of Tanzania and Venezuela.

By a 20-Power draft resolution on preventing an arms race in outer space (document A/C.1/50/L.33), the Assembly would urge the Russian Federation and the United States to resume their bilateral negotiations, in order to reach early agreement on preventing an outer space arms race. It would call on all States, particularly those with major space capabilities, to contribute to the peaceful use of outer space, to preventing an outer space arms race, and to refrain from actions contrary to that objective and to the relevant existing treaties.

The Assembly would restate the primary role of the Conference on Disarmament in negotiating a multilateral agreement or agreements on preventing an outer space arms race. It would ask that the Conference re- establish in 1996 its Ad Hoc Committee on the matter with an adequate mandate, and that it intensify its consideration of the question, with a view to concluding an agreement or agreements. Asking the Conference to continue building on areas of convergence, it would recognize the growing convergence on measures to strengthen transparency, confidence and security in the peaceful uses of space.

By other terms of the text, the Assembly would reaffirm the importance of preventing an outer space arms race, as well as the need to consolidate and

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reinforce the existing legal regime and to enhance its effectiveness. It would reaffirm the importance of strictly complying with existing agreements, both bilateral and multilateral, and would emphasize the need for further, verifiable measures to prevent an outer space arms race.

The draft resolution is sponsored by Algeria, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Ukraine.

By a 30-Power draft resolution on strengthening security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region (document A/C.1/50/L.36/Rev.1), the Assembly would call on all States of the region to adhere to all the multilaterally negotiated legal instruments relating to disarmament. It would invite them to address cooperatively such regional problems as terrorism, international crime, illicit arms transfers, and illicit drug production, consumption and trafficking.

The Assembly would encourage the Mediterranean States to strengthen confidence-building by promoting transparency on all military matters, through participation in the United Nations system for the standardized reporting of military expenditures, and by providing accurate data to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms.

By other terms of the text, the Assembly would encourage widespread support among the States of the region for the convening of a conference on security and cooperation in the Mediterranean, as well as for ongoing regional consultations aimed at creating conditions for its convening. It would express satisfaction at their continuing efforts to eliminate all causes of tension in the region and commend their efforts to meet common challenges. It would also ask the Secretary-General to report on means to strengthen security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region.

The text is sponsored by Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Mauritania, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia and the United Kingdom.

A 31-Power draft resolution on regional disarmament (document A/C.1/50/L.38) would have the Assembly call on all States to conclude agreements, wherever possible, for nuclear non-proliferation, disarmament and confidence-building measures at the regional and subregional levels. It would also decide to include an item on regional disarmament on the provisional agenda of its next session.

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By other terms of the text, the Assembly would support and encourage efforts aimed at promoting confidence-building at regional and subregional levels, in order to ease regional tensions and to further disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation. It would welcome initiatives towards disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation and security undertaken by some countries at the regional and subregional levels. It would also stress the need for sustained efforts, within the Conference on Disarmament and under the umbrella of the United Nations, to make progress on the entire range of disarmament issues.

The text is sponsored by Albania, Armenia, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Cameroon, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Ghana, Haiti, Honduras, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Nepal, Niger, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Sudan, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

A draft resolution on conventional arms control at the regional and subregional levels (document A/C.1/50/L.40) would have the Assembly decide to give urgent consideration to the matter. It would ask the Conference on Disarmament, as a first step, to consider formulating principles to serve as a framework for regional agreements on conventional arms control.

The text is sponsored by Benin, Czech Republic, Haiti, Nepal, Pakistan and The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

By a draft resolution on a convention prohibiting the use of nuclear weapons (document A/C.1/50/L.47), the Assembly would restate its request to the Conference on Disarmament to begin negotiations in order to reach agreement on an international convention prohibiting the use or threatened use of nuclear weapons under any circumstances. The Conference could take as a possible basis a draft convention on the prohibition of the use of nuclear weapons, annexed to the draft resolution.

The text is sponsored by Bangladesh, Belize, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Colombia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Philippines, Sudan and Viet Nam.

Additional Co-sponsors

SOHRAB KHERADI, Committee Secretary, announced that the following countries had joined as co-sponsors of draft resolutions and decisions: on the prohibition of biological weapons (L.1), Albania and Belarus; on a halt to nuclear testing (L.3), Afghanistan; on the Treaty of Tlatelolco (L.5/Rev.1), Bangladesh; on small arms (L.7), Afghanistan; on a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East (L.10), Afghanistan; on United Nations disarmament fellowship, training and advisory services (L.11), Afghanistan, Cape Verde, Jamaica,

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Kazakstan and Papua New Guinea; on the chemical weapons Convention (L.14), Afghanistan; on prohibiting the production of fissile material (L.15), Afghanistan and Estonia; on Disarmament Week (L.16), Afghanistan and Nigeria.

Other added co-sponsors were: on the risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East (L.19), Afghanistan; on the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace (L.27), Bangladesh; on the report of the Disarmament Commission (L.28), Peru; on the Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (L.31), Afghanistan; on the partial test-ban Treaty (L.32), Papua New Guinea and Peru; on security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region (L.36/Rev.1), Turkey; on security assurances for non-nuclear-weapon States (L.39), Philippines; on a convention prohibiting the use of nuclear weapons (L.47), Iran; on the role of science and technology (L.48), Philippines.

Statements

MYA THAN (Myanmar) introduced the draft resolution on nuclear disarmament (document A/C.1/50/L.46). The text would have the Assembly urge the nuclear-weapon States to stop immediately the qualitative improvement, development, stockpiling and production of nuclear warheads and their delivery systems. They would also be called upon to undertake step-by-step reduction of the nuclear threat and a phased programme of progressive and balanced deep reductions of nuclear weapons, and to carry out effective nuclear disarmament measures with a view to their total elimination within a time-bound framework.

By other terms of the text, the Assembly would call on the Conference on Disarmament to establish, on a priority basis, an ad hoc committee on nuclear disarmament to commence negotiations early in 1996. The Secretary-General would be asked to submit a report on the implementation of the draft at the Assembly's next session.

The draft is sponsored by Algeria, Colombia, Cuba, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Thailand, United Republic of Tanzania, Viet Nam and Zimbabwe.

Mr. THAN said it was a landmark year, with the extension of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). It was fitting that in such a year, the current draft be adopted. A selective approach to non- proliferation would not work. The current draft was a genuine nuclear disarmament measure that recognized the need to de-emphasize the role of nuclear weapons and review and revise such doctrines accordingly.

MOHAMMAD JUSUF (Indonesia), speaking on the draft just introduced on nuclear disarmament, said that over the years the Assembly had formulated principles to govern such disarmament. None the less, their elimination had not been achieved. There could be no rationalization of nuclear weapons. He

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hoped that with further success in that critical area, those weapons would be curbed.

ARUNDHADI GHOSE (India) spoke in support of the draft on nuclear disarmament. The time was right to squarely face the issue. That window of opportunity should not be permitted to close. Non-nuclear-weapon states also had a stake in nuclear disarmament. In that context, the Conference on Disarmament was the only multilateral body capable of negotiating such agreements. It should begin seriously engaging the issue of nuclear disarmament. A major disarmament treaty was under way in the Conference on Disarmament, but the Conference needed to start parallel negotiations on nuclear disarmament.

ANDELFO GARCIA (Colombia), speaking in support of the text on general and complete disarmament, said that the end of the cold war and recent developments presented favourable conditions for effective measures on nuclear disarmament with a view towards the total elimination of those weapons.

WAHEL ATTIA (Egypt) said that of the end of the cold war had not produced a reduction of nuclear weapons. Gradual steps aimed at nuclear disarmament were needed. The completion of a comprehensive nuclear-test-ban treaty was one such step. Although quantitative reductions had been made by some nuclear States, no respective measures were taken to implement qualitative reductions. Some nuclear States carried out nuclear tests in the absence of international safeguards. International and legally binding measures were needed to assure non-nuclear weapon States.

ANTONIO DE ICAZA (Mexico) said the draft resolution on nuclear disarmament reflected concerns that had been previously expressed in resolution 49/75E, and "took over" from that resolution. He appealed to those delegations which supported that text last year -- over 100 delegations -- to support the current text.

MUNIR AKRAM (Pakistan) expressed full support for the draft resolution on nuclear disarmament, which he described as "an historic initiative". It was hoped that the Non-Aligned consensus on promoting a time-bound framework for nuclear disarmament would be accepted by the entire international community, and that the Conference on Disarmament would establish an ad hoc committee to pursue that goal.

HUMBERTO RIVERO ROSARIO (Cuba) said his country was a co-sponsor of the draft resolution on nuclear disarmament. The text embodied some timely and extremely important ideas. He hoped the draft would enjoy general support.

REZA MAHAMEDI FARD (Iran) said his country fully supported the draft on nuclear disarmament.

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Action on Texts

The representative of India, speaking in explanation of position, said the texts on the nuclear-weapon-free zones were linked to the question of global security. A global approach was required for weapons having a global reach. The establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones was not in accord with a global approach. Moreover, such zones must be established by arrangements freely arrived at, and with the consent of the States of the region concerned.

She said India would not oppose texts concerning zones which had been freely agreed upon. However, it would vote against the text on a nuclear- weapon-free zone in South Asia, as it did not meet criteria established by the United Nations for such zones.

The representative of Mexico drew attention to a new preambular paragraph contained in the revision to the text on the Treaty of Tlatelolco.

The draft resolution on the Treaty of Tlatelolco was approved without a vote.

The draft resolution on a nuclear-weapon-free zone in South Asia was approved by a vote of 133 in favour to 3 against (Bhutan, India, Mauritius), with 11 abstentions. (For details of the vote, see Annex I.)

The representative of Georgia said he had intended to vote in favour of the draft resolution.

The representative of Iran said he had intended to vote in favour.

The representative of Gabon said he had intended to vote in favour.

The draft resolution on the partial test-ban Treaty was approved by a vote of 95 in favour to 4 against (Israel, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, United States), with 44 abstentions (Annex II).

The draft resolution on a convention prohibiting nuclear weapons was approved by a vote of 95 in favour to 26 against, with 26 abstentions (Annex III).

Statements after Vote

The representative of Indonesia, speaking in explanation of his vote on the draft resolution on a nuclear-weapon-free zone in South Asia, said he had abstained from such a vote, citing the need for progress in the area of non- proliferation.

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The representative of New Zealand said he abstained in the vote on the draft prohibiting the use of nuclear weapons. While he shared the hope of the sponsors to eliminate those weapons altogether, it would take years of effort to carry out the necessary work. Calls for a convention might not make a practical contribution to that end. The only guarantee against the use of nuclear weapons was by their elimination through negotiations, such as those encouraged in the draft of a comprehensive test-ban treaty.

The representative of Israel said he had abstained in the vote on a nuclear-weapon-free zone in South Asia. Such a decision should originate within the region through agreements. Agreements through international organizations would be counter-productive. Israel continued to support nuclear-free zones, but they needed to be agreed upon by all Parties involved.

The representative of the United States said he attached great importance to initiatives in South Asia and called on all States in the region to ensure their policies and actions did not prejudice the objectives of that text. Yet, his vote in favour of that text should not be interpreted to mean a blanket support for similar texts on nuclear-free zones. He had voted against the partial ban of nuclear weapons tests, on the grounds that the Conference on Disarmament was intensively engaged in negotiations on a comprehensive test-ban treaty. The current text was not helpful in that process, since it continued to advocate another forum, ignoring the forum of the current negotiations. He looked forward to the early conclusion of the comprehensive test-ban treaty negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament. Indeed, President Clinton had called for their conclusion by next April.

The representative of Australia said he had abstained on the vote on nuclear disarmament. While he was generally supportive, he could not overlook its absence of balance, particularly the lack of any reference in support of the goal of total elimination of nuclear weapons. He reiterated his support for the development of a single, legally binding security assurance of non-use by nuclear-weapon States against non-nuclear-weapon States.

The representative of Brazil said he had voted in favour of a nuclear- weapon-free zone in South Asia. The southern hemisphere was becoming a large area of the globe in which nuclear weapons were forbidden. He supported the addition of such zones.

The representative of Japan said he had abstained on the draft prohibiting the use of nuclear weapons. His country had been the victim of their use, and he earnestly desired that such action never be repeated. However, it was more important to achieve steady progress in nuclear non- proliferation and nuclear disarmament through the specific measures undertaken by nuclear-weapon States. All nuclear tests should be banned. He supported the comprehensive test-ban treaty to that end, rather than a convention prohibiting the use of nuclear weapons.

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The representative of China said he voted in favour of the draft on prohibiting the use of nuclear weapons. Corresponding international legal instruments were needed. He had proposed that a convention on the complete prohibition of nuclear weapons should be concluded and he supported the purposes and objectives of the draft.

Text on Other Weapons of Mass Destruction

The draft resolution on the dumping of radioactive wastes was approved without a vote.

Speaking after action on the draft, the representative of the United States said his country was sympathetic to the main thrust of the draft. However, the First Committee was not the appropriate forum to deal with the question of the dumping of radioactive wastes.

The representative of Australia said she wished to draw attention to a matter of relevance to the text. She said the South Pacific Forum had decided to ban the import of hazardous and radioactive wastes into their countries.

Text on Disarmament Machinery

Speaking before action on the text, the representative of the Czech Republic welcomed the report of the Conference on Disarmament and supported the relevant draft resolution. He was confident that negotiations on a comprehensive test-ban treaty would be successfully concluded prior the Assembly's next session. The Conference was the most important multilateral forum for working out legally binding international instrument on arms control and disarmament. However, there was a crisis of confidence. Progress was needed on negotiating a cut-off ban on fissile materials, transparency in armaments and expanding membership of the Conference.

The draft resolution on the report of the Conference on Disarmament was approved without a vote.

Texts on Other Disarmament Measures

The representative of Jordan, speaking on the draft resolution concerning United Nations disarmament fellowship, training and advisory services, said he believed in the positive contribution of that programme. It provide a valuable service in training young diplomats, particularly in preventive diplomacy, the peaceful resolution of disputes, confidence-building and security. Such a programme could help promote a universal culture of peace.

The representative of Myanmar expressed support for the draft, of which it was a co-sponsor.

First Committee - 16 - Press Release GA/DIS/3037 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1995

The draft decision on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction was approved by a vote of 102 in favour to 1 against (United States) with 45 abstentions (due to technical reasons Annex IV was not available when this release was prepared; it will be published when it is made available).

The draft resolutions on United Nations disarmament fellowship, training and advisory services, Disarmament Week, and the relationship between disarmament and development (L.26) were approved without a vote.

The representative of Israel said he would have voted against the draft on the relationship between disarmament and development, because of language contained in preambular paragraph 4 that singled out Israel and did not support the achievements of the peace process in the Middle East.

The representative of the United States said that he had voted no on the draft decision on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Two years ago he had voted against the draft on which the current one was based because it did not advance the objectives of non-proliferation. The sponsors of that resolution had asked the Secretary-General for a report and then had ignored it. The United States, therefore, could not support the draft decision.

He said he had not participated in the consensus on the draft that asserted a relationship between disarmament and development. He believed that those were two distinct issues and could not be organically linked. His delegation had not attended the Conference on the Relationship between Disarmament and Development. He wanted to state again that he would not and did not consider himself bound by the declarations of the final document of that Conference.

The representative of the United Kingdom said he had not broken consensus on the draft on the relationship between disarmament and development. However, the text had presented a new operative paragraph 2 which encouraged allocation of resources made available through disarmament agreements to be used for social and economic development. There was no simple, automatic link between disarmament and such aid, he said.

The representative of Germany said he agreed with the remarks made by the representative of the United Kingdom. He had not broken consensus, but he would have abstained from a vote because of the operative paragraph 2, which claimed a peace dividend. Disarmament cost money in the first place and his country's budget could not show any link between any disarmament dividend and development aid or any other aid.

First Committee - 17 - Press Release GA/DIS/3037 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1995

The representative of Mexico said the reasons for keeping the draft item of the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction on the agenda were fully stated by his delegation at an earlier committee meeting on 7 November.

The representative of the Russian Federation said he had not objected to approval of the draft on the relationship between disarmament and development without a vote. If there had been a vote, he would have been forced to abstain because of the new element that appeared in the text since last year's draft.

The representative of Iran sad he supported the draft decision on non- proliferation. However, his vote had not been registered.

The representative of Pakistan said he had totally supported the draft on the relationship between disarmament and development. The concept of the link between disarmament and development was based on a consensus of the General Assembly. It had been advanced by some of the developed countries to promote the idea of diverting to development resources freed from disarmament measures.

Text on International Security

The draft resolution on security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region was approved without a vote.

The representative of Israel said his country had joined in the consensus on the text. However, it was Israel's position that all regional security matters pertaining to the Middle East were subject to the peace negotiations. The draft resolution did not take that into account. Israel therefore wished its reservations to be placed on record.

The representative of Libya said his country had reservations regarding the seventh preambular paragraph. Libya did not believe the current Middle East peace process would lead to a just solution to the Palestinian question. Such a solution required establishment of a non-racial State where both Arabs and Jews lived, following the model of South Africa. Libya could not support imposition of a European model on efforts to ensure security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region.

[Note: The seventh preambular paragraph reads as follows: "Noting with satisfaction the positive developments in the Middle East peace process that will lead to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the region and therefore to promoting confidence-building measures and a good-neighbourly spirit among the countries of the area".]

First Committee - 18 - Press Release GA/DIS/3037 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1995

The representative of Afghanistan said his vote on the draft resolution on a convention prohibiting the use of nuclear weapons should be recorded as a vote in favour.

The representative of Iran expressed reservations concerning the seventh preambular paragraph of the text on Mediterranean security and to any similar references. His country believed that the Middle East peace process would not lead to full restoration of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.

(annexes follow)

First Committee - 19 - Press Release GA/DIS/3037 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1995

ANNEX I

Vote on South Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone

The draft resolution on the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in South Asia (document A/C.1/50/L.6) was approved by a recorded vote of 133 in favour to 3 against, with 11 abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azberbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Latvia, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papa New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against: Bhutan, India, Mauritius.

Abstain: Algeria, Cuba, Cyprus, Georgia, Indonesia, Israel, Lao Democratic People's Republic, Madagascar, Myanmar, Swaziland, Viet Nam.

Absent: Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Burundi, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Palau, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Syria, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Vanatu, Zaire.

(END OF ANNEX I)

First Committee 20 Press Release GA/DIS/3037 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1995

ANNEX II

Vote on Partial Test-Ban Treaty

The draft resolution concerning amendment of the treaty banning nuclear- weapon tests in the atmosphere, outer space and under water (partial test-ban treaty) (document A/C.1/50/L.32) was approved by a recorded vote of 95 in favour to 4 against, with 44 abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Algeria, Angola, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against: Israel, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, United States.

Abstaining: Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine.

Absent: Afghanistan, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burundi, Cambodia, China, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, France, Gambia, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Monaco, Palau, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Tajikistan, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Zaire.

(END OF ANNEX II)

First Committee 21 Press Release GA/DIS/3037 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1995

ANNEX III

Vote on Convention Prohibiting Nuclear Weapons

The draft resolution on a proposed convention prohibiting the use of nuclear weapons (document A/C.1/50/L.47) was approved by a recorded vote of 95 in favour to 26 against, with 26 abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Algeria, Angola, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against: Andorra, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mauritania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States.

Abstaining: Afghanistan, Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Liechtenstein, Malta, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovenia, Swaziland, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ukraine.

Absent: Antigua and Barbuda, Azerbaijan, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Comoros, Costa Rica, Croatia, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Liberia, Monaco, Palau, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Yugoslavia, Zaire.

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