TEXTS ON PREVENTION OF OUTER SPACE ARMS RACE, ILLICIT ARMS TRANSFER, AMONG DRAFTS APPROVED BY FIRST COMMITTEE
Press Release
GA/DIS/3040
TEXTS ON PREVENTION OF OUTER SPACE ARMS RACE, ILLICIT ARMS TRANSFER, AMONG DRAFTS APPROVED BY FIRST COMMITTEE
19951115 Other Drafts Concern Bilateral Nuclear Arms Negotiations, Membership of Disarmament ConferenceThe General 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, by a draft resolution approved this morning in the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security), by a vote of 113 votes in favour to none against, with 46 abstentions. (For details of voting, see Annex V.)
By other terms of the text, the Assembly would call on all States to contribute to preventing an outer space arms race and would ask the Conference on Disarmament to intensify its consideration of the matter, with a view to concluding an agreement or agreements.
Prior to approval of the draft resolution as a whole, separate votes were taken on the nineteenth preambular paragraph, as well as on operative paragraphs 8 and 10, with the United States casting the only negative vote in each case. The representative of that country said there were no arms in outer space and no further international instruments were needed on the matter.
The nineteenth preambular paragraph was approved by 99 votes in favour to 1 against (United States), with 55 abstentions (Annex II). Operative paragraph 8 was approved by 100 votes in favour to 1 against (United States), with 55 abstentions (Annex III). Operative paragraph 10 was approved by 91 votes in favour to 1 against (United States), with 63 abstentions (Annex IV).
Also this morning, the Committee approved draft resolutions on bilateral nuclear arms negotiations, the illicit transfer and use of conventional weapons, and expanding the membership of the Conference on Disarmament.
Prior to action on drafts, there was an exchange of statements in explanation of Tuesday's vote on the draft on bilateral nuclear disarmament.
First Committee - 1a - Press Release GA/DIS/3040 20th Meeting (AM) 15 November 1995
The representative of Pakistan said he could not accept the proposition that security assurances should be contingent upon acceptance to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) or to other treaties. To ask his country to accept the NPT Treaty prior to such assurances amounted to nuclear blackmail.
In response to Pakistan, the representative of Australia said he deeply regretted that some countries did not see fit to bind themselves to commitments of non-proliferation -- a regime commanding such international support.
According to the representative of the United States, a careful reading of Security Council resolution 984 (1995) would show that security assurances extended by the nuclear-weapon States corresponded to the non-nuclear States parties to the Treaty to renounce nuclear weapons and place their capabilities under international safeguards.
By the Committee's approval of the draft on bilateral nuclear arms negotiations, the Assembly would welcome the signing of the 1993 Treaty between the Russian Federation and the United States on the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms on 3 January 1993, and would urge the parties to bring it into force at the earliest possible date.
Other terms of that text would encourage the United States, the Russian Federation, Kazakstan and Ukraine to continue their cooperative efforts aimed at eliminating nuclear weapons and strategic offensive arms on the basis of existing agreements. The text was approved by a vote of 95 in favour to 37 against, with 22 abstentions (Annex I).
The Assembly would call for urgent implementation of the decision by the Conference on Disarmament to expand its membership, by a draft resolution approved this morning without a vote. The Assembly would strongly urge that the new members all assume membership together at the start of its 1996 session. It would also urge that the Conference consider the other candidatures to date at its 1996 session.
By another draft resolution approved without a vote, the Assembly would invite Member States to take appropriate enforcement measures to ensure that illicit arms transfers are immediately discontinued. It would also invite them to provide the Secretary-General with information on national control measures on arms transfers and would ask the Disarmament Commission to expedite its consideration of international arms transfers.
Statements were also made by the representatives of Egypt, Thailand, Indonesia, United Kingdom, Spain (for the European Union), China, Ukraine, the Russian Federation, New Zealand, Japan, Romania, Georgia, Sri Lanka, Spain (for the European Union and Argentina, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Estonia, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Norway, Poland and Romania), Malaysia, Iran, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
The Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. today to continue taking action on draft resolutions and decisions.
Committee Work Programme
The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) met this afternoon to continue taking action on draft resolutions expanding the membership of the Conference on Disarmament, preventing an arms race in outer space, the illicit transfer and use of conventional arms, environmental norms in disarmament and arms control agreements, and bilateral nuclear arms negotiations.
Also before the Committee (document A/C.1/50/L.53) is a set of proposed amendments to the draft resolution on the role of science and technology (document A/C.1/50/L.13). One amendment would replace the second preambular paragraph, which currently reads as follows:
"Recognizing the importance of continued multilateral dialogue on means of promoting the transfer of technology for peaceful purposes while ensuring that such technology is not diverted to non-peaceful purposes,"
It would be replaced with:
"Recognizing the importance of continued multilateral dialogue on internationally agreed means of ensuring transfer of technology for peaceful purposes while avoiding diversion of such technology to non-peaceful purposes,"
Another amendment would replace operative paragraph 1 (b), which reads as follows:
"1. Invites Member States to enhance bilateral and multilateral dialogue on the role of science and technology in the context of international security, disarmament and other related fields with a view to:
(b) Exploring ways and means of further developing international legal rules on transfers of high technology with military applications;"
By the terms of the proposal, part (b) would be revised to read as follows:
"(b) Exploring ways and means of developing multilaterally negotiated, universally accepted and non-discriminatory agreements on transfer of high technology with military applications;"
The proposed amendments have been submitted by Cuba, India, Iran, Myanmar and Pakistan.
A draft resolution on expanding the membership of the Conference on Disarmament (document A/C.1/50/L.21/Rev.1), would have the Assembly call for
First Committee - 5 - Press Release GA/DIS/3040 20th Meeting (AM) 15 November 1995
implementation of the Conference's decision to expand its membership on an urgent basis and strongly urge that the new members all assume membership together at the start of its 1996 session. It would also urge that, following the presentation of progress reports by its President, the Conference should consider the other candidatures to date at its 1996 session.
The text is sponsored by Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Finland, Iraq, Israel, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Korea, Senegal, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Syria, Turkey, Ukraine, Viet Nam and Zimbabwe.
By a 22-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 ask that the Conference on Disarmament re-establish in 1996 its ad hoc committee on negotiating agreements on preventing an outer space arms race with an adequate mandate, and that it intensify its consideration of the question. The Assembly would also reaffirm the need to consolidate and reinforce the existing legal regime and to enhance its effectiveness. It 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, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Ukraine.
By a 15-nation text on curbing the illicit transfer and use of conventional arms (document A/C.1/50/L.37/Rev.1), the Assembly would invite Member States to take appropriate enforcement measures to ensure that illicit arms transfers are immediately discontinued, and to provide the Secretary- General promptly with relevant information on national control measures on arms transfers, with a view to preventing illicit transfers. It would ask the Disarmament Commission to expedite its consideration of international arms transfers and to report on measures to curb the illicit transfer and use of conventional arms.
By other terms of the text, the Assembly would ask the Secretary-General to seek the views of Member States of ways of collecting weapons transferred illicitly. He would also be asked to seek the views of Member States on proposals for national, regional and international measures to curb the
First Committee - 6 - Press Release GA/DIS/3040 20th Meeting (AM) 15 November 1995
illicit transfer and use of conventional arms, and to report on the matter to the Assembly's next session.
The text is sponsored by Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Botswana, Ecuador, France, Georgia, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Turkmenistan and Zimbabwe.
By a draft resolution on bilateral nuclear arms negotiations (document A/C.1/50/L.44/Rev.1), the Assembly would welcome the signing of the 1993 Treaty between the Russian and the United States on the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms on 3 January 1993, and would urge the parties to bring it into force at the earliest possible date. It would invite them to keep the United Nations and the Conference on Disarmament informed of progress in their discussions on reducing their nuclear armaments and on implementing their strategic offensive arms agreements and unilateral decisions. It would call on the Conference to take that information into account in negotiations to be held on nuclear disarmament and for the ultimate elimination of nuclear weapons within a time-bound framework.
The Assembly would encourage and support the efforts by Russia and the United States to continue to give those efforts the highest priority, as a contribution to eliminating nuclear weapons within a time-bound framework. It would encourage the United States, the Russian Federation, Kazakstan and Ukraine to continue their cooperative efforts aimed at eliminating nuclear weapons and strategic offensive arms on the basis of existing agreements.
The text is sponsored by Colombia, on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.
Additional Co-Sponsors
SOHRAB KHERADI, Committee Secretary, announced that the following countries had joined as co-sponsors of draft resolutions and decisions: on verification (L.12), Paraguay; on the Chemical Weapons Convention (L.14), Cape Verde, Cyprus and Latvia; on nuclear disarmament and the elimination of nuclear weapons (L.17/1), Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, New Zealand and Norway.
Other added co-sponsors were: on the Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (L.31), Australia and Brunei Darussalam; on the illicit transfer and use of conventional arms (L.37/1), Bhutan, El Salvador and Guatemala; on moratoriums on the export of anti-personnel land- mines (L.45), Djibouti, Liechtenstein and Tunisia; on contributions to nuclear disarmament (L.50/2), Australia, Monaco and the Marshall Islands.
First Committee - 7 - Press Release GA/DIS/3040 20th Meeting (AM) 15 November 1995
Explanations of Vote
The representative of Pakistan, continuing in explanation of the vote on the draft on bilateral nuclear disarmament, had abstained because the draft was deficient in two respects: in preambular paragraph 7, it alluded to the indefinite expansion of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), to which Pakistan was not a party. Secondly, the progress in nuclear disarmament held outside the Conference on Disarmament should be reported to the Conference, which then should be responsible for negotiating a phased programme for the elimination of such weapons.
In response to the statement made yesterday by the representative of the European Union and by Australia explaining their abstentions on the draft on security assurances to non-nuclear-weapon States, he said the draft had noted resolution 984 (1995) of the Security Council. The paragraphs relating to the NPT were discussed by his delegation and with the delegation from Australia, and was left incomplete by the other side. That had now been used as justification to abstain on the draft. He could not accept the proposition that security assurances should be made contingent upon acceptance of the NPT or other treaties. The nuclear-weapon States had an obligation to provide such assurances because of their possession of nuclear weapons.
The representative of the United States, on a point of order, said it was improper for the Chairman to allow explanations of votes by proponents of resolutions.
The representative of Pakistan said the United States should have listened a little more carefully. After concluding his remarks on the draft, he had stated he wanted to respond to remarks made by the European Union and by Australia. He had that right, and he was exercising that right. It was his view that the nuclear-weapon States had the obligation to assure the non- nuclear-weapon States against the use of nuclear weapons. Many members of the European Union had enjoyed assurances of one or more nuclear-weapon States under their alliances, which had been provided them before the NPT was formulated. Those assurances flowed from Article 51 of the Charter.
Regarding Australia, he added that it was a long time before they had ratified the NPT. Was it legitimate for the nuclear-weapon States to hold out the threat of nuclear weapons over Australia?
The representative of Egypt had abstained on the draft of bilateral nuclear disarmament because of the note of appreciation at the beginning of preambular paragraph 7.
The representative of Thailand said he had no objection to the overall idea of the draft, however, he had abstained because the draft did not adequately reflect the sentiment of the international community on the
First Committee - 8 - Press Release GA/DIS/3040 20th Meeting (AM) 15 November 1995
subject. There was the need for a time-bound schedule on disarmament, and for the role of the Conference on Disarmament.
The representative of Indonesia said that while he agreed with the general thrust of the draft, the responsibility of the nuclear-weapon States that regard was conspicuously absent. Its omission was inexplicable. It stood to reason that only those States must bear the primary responsibility for nuclear disarmament. Regarding preambular paragraph 4, which stressed the importance of strengthening international peace and security through disarmament, the absence of a reference of the need to achieve nuclear disarmament as the immediate goal, detracted from the spirit of the draft.
The representative of the United Kingdom, in response to the statement by the representative of Pakistan, said that speaking to the representative of Australia did not mean he understood the wishes of the European Union. However, if the representative of Spain wished to speak on behalf of the European Union, he should do so.
The representative of Australia, speaking in exercise of the right of reply, said he deeply regretted that some countries did not see fit to bind themselves to commitments of non-proliferation. Such commitments were required if there were to be global assurances. References to early years had little relevance with a regime commanding such international support. Certainly the provisions of the NPT were so widely accepted that they constituted a norm of international behaviour that the few countries who had not yet joined should consider.
The representative of Spain, speaking on behalf of the European Union, said his statement of yesterday was made with a specific date in mind -- 14 November. Therefore, historic references to the past were not relevant. His statement applied to the present and referred to the omission of the non- proliferation of nuclear weapons, which was missing in the draft.
The representative of the United States, speaking in a right of reply to the representative of Pakistan, said careful reading of Security Council resolution 984 (1995) would show that security assurances extended by the nuclear-weapon States corresponded to the non-nuclear States parties to the Treaty to renounce nuclear weapons and place their capabilities under international safeguards. If Pakistan wanted such assurances by the nuclear- weapon States, the way was clear.
The representative of Pakistan said it was his view, supported by customary international law, that the possession of nuclear weapons was an aberration. There was no law which gave the right to five nuclear-weapon States to hold nuclear weapons in perpetuity. Those were weapons of mass destruction that should be prohibited. Until that aberration was rectified,
First Committee - 9 - Press Release GA/DIS/3040 20th Meeting (AM) 15 November 1995
those five States had an obligation to assure other States that they would not use those weapons against anyone.
He went on to say that the representative of the United States had said that his security assurances reciprocate obligations taken under the NPT. Did that mean that the United States held out the use of nuclear weapons to those States which were not Party to the NPT? That was a violation of the United Nations Charter which said the use or threat of force was illegal. It was against that threat that there must be security assurances. To ask acceptance of the NPT prior to such assurances, amounted to nuclear blackmail.
The representative of China, speaking on Security Council resolution 984 (1995), said he believed that unconditional assurances should be given to all non-nuclear-weapon States -- under any circumstances, and at any time. Non- nuclear-weapon States, of course, included NPT States parties. It was on that basis that China had joined the other four nuclear-weapon States in proposing the Security Council resolution.
The representative of Australia said his Foreign Minister had argued before the International Court of Justice and had accepted the Court's decisions that the possession and use of nuclear weapons was illegal. However, regarding the comments of Pakistan -- did the lack of commitment by his country to non-proliferation represent a threat of possible acquisition and use of nuclear weapons by Pakistan to other States? There were other ways besides joining a treaty to express commitment to nuclear non-proliferation.
The representative of Pakistan, responding to the question by Australia, said the fact that certain countries were not party to the NPT could arise from their peculiar circumstances, and Australia knew full-well those circumstances which Pakistan faced. Pakistan had consistently favoured non- proliferation. There were specific reasons why it had not submitted to the NPT. But, the self-restraint exercised by his country was a fact because it had not acted otherwise. He had accepted unilateral commitments of non- proliferation, which should not be dismissed lightly by other States, or used to exert pressure.
Action on Draft Texts
Mr. KHERADI, Committee Secretary, said a document would be issued tomorrow (A/C.1/50/L.59) concerning the budgetary implications of L.1/1. Reading out portions of that document, he said that, should the Assembly adopt the draft resolution, Secretariat assistance and substantive support services would be required for its implementation. However, no modifications would be required under the relevant subprogramme of the proposed programme budget. The Secretary-General considered there was a mandate to provide the necessary assistance and services for the third review conference. The fourth review conference had no financial implications for the regular budget of the United
First Committee - 10 - Press Release GA/DIS/3040 20th Meeting (AM) 15 November 1995
Nations. No additional requirements would arise under the proposed programme budget for 1996-1997.
VOLODYMYR M. BANDURA (Ukraine) introduced the draft resolution on contributions to nuclear disarmament (document A/C.1/50/L.50/Rev.2), on behalf of its co-sponsors. By its terms, the Assembly would recognize the significant contribution to nuclear disarmament and the strengthening of regional and global security made by Belarus, Kazakstan and Ukraine -- which have voluntarily renounced nuclear weapons -- and by South Africa, which has voluntarily given up its nuclear-weapons programme.
The Assembly would welcome a number of accessions to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, including that of Ukraine as a non- nuclear-weapon State. It would acknowledge that Ukraine's decision, as well as relevant decisions taken by Belarus and Kazakstan, had contributed to the entry into force of the Treaty on the Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (START I), which was "a major landmark in the process of nuclear disarmament".
By other terms of the text, the Assembly would welcome the signing of the Treaty on the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms by the Russian Federation and the United States and would urge them to bring that Treaty into force at the earliest possible date. It would also acknowledge the progress of the parties to date in implementing START I.
The draft resolution is sponsored by Australia, Bangladesh, Belarus, Marshall Islands, Monaco and Ukraine.
The representative of the United States, speaking in explanation of vote, said his country would vote against the draft resolution on bilateral nuclear arms negotiations and disarmament (L.44). That text was an attempt to distort the historic result of the recent NPT Review and Extension Conference. It was a counter-draft to the United States/Russian Federation text which was approved yesterday by an overwhelming majority (L.35).
He said the current text, unlike yesterday's, avoided mentioning in any way the indefinite extension of the NPT. Its sponsors refused to welcome the accession of Belarus, Kazakstan and the Ukraine to the Treaty. It purposefully avoided any of the consensus language from the NPT document. Language on general and complete disarmament was missing. The language on nuclear disarmament had been distorted to suit some non-NPT States.
Parts of the text were patently false, he said. For example, the eighth preambular paragraph spoke of a commitment by the nuclear-weapon States to eliminate such weapons within a time-bound framework. The nuclear-weapon States had not said that. Where did it come from? The question was whether
First Committee - 11 - Press Release GA/DIS/3040 20th Meeting (AM) 15 November 1995
an effort led by a small minority should be allowed to distort the outcome of the NPT Review Conference.
The draft resolution on bilateral nuclear arms negotiations (document A/C.1/50/L.44/Rev.1) was approved by a vote of 95 in favour to 37 against, with 22 abstentions. (See Annex I for details of vote.)
The representative of the Russian Federation, speaking in explanation of vote, expressed regret that it had again been impossible to approve a single resolution on the subject by consensus. The co-sponsors of the current text had omitted a number of important points, particular with regard to the indefinite prolongation of the NPT and the accession to it by Belarus, Kazakstan and the Ukraine as non-nuclear-weapon States. His country had been compelled to vote against the draft.
Speaking in explanation of the vote on bilateral nuclear arms negotiations, the representative of Australia said that while he was firmly committed to a systematic process of nuclear disarmament, and while he supported the draft's focus, he was disappointed that it failed to make any specific reference to the outcome of the 1995 NPT Review Conference, and was unable to support it.
The representative of New Zealand said he had abstained from the vote. The best way to achieve the goals of that draft was working towards consensus, and taking into account past achievements. He regretted that the draft took no account of the indefinite extension of the NPT. With the decision made at the NPT Review Conference, the Parties to the Treaty made permanent the international community's rejection of nuclear weapons by accepting the ultimate goal of the complete elimination of such weapons. Time lines were appropriate where a goal or steps towards a goal were attainable, yet "there is no magic wand that can wave away the problems we are all trying to overcome".
The representative of Japan, said that even given her country's unique desire to eliminate nuclear weapons, she had abstained because the draft was not the product of coordination of the views of the Russian Federation and the United States. Japan supported steady disarmament efforts and appropriate consideration and consultation, and therefore could not support the draft.
Speaking before the vote on the draft on the illicit transfer and use of conventional arms, the representative of Romania said the overall number of co-sponsors to the draft was impressive and covered nearly all regions of the world. The terms of the draft ranged from confidence-building measures to restrictions and prohibitions of the use of certain conventional weapons, to measures curbing their illicit transfer and use, as well as assistance to States affected by such trafficking. The draft had also included heavy and
First Committee - 10 - Press Release GA/DIS/3040 20th Meeting (AM) 15 November 1995
expressive weapons such as battle tanks, attack helicopters, warships and missile systems as well as the small, light and frequently cheap arms.
He also supported the draft on illicit traffic in small arms, and the provision of assistance to affected States. The accumulation of small arms created tension in times of peace. The ways and means to prevent and reduce their de-stabilizing accumulation was defined in those drafts.
GEORGE VOLSKI (Georgia) said his country had experienced the effects of the illicit transfer and use of conventional arms. Great material damage had been inflicted on many States by such use. The draft resolution should be approved by consensus.
HERMAN LEONARD DE SILVA (Sri Lanka) said such illicit transfer and use had a devastating effect on the security of States, particularly small countries. Such activities impinged on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of affected States. There was also an increasing tendency to recruit child soldiers, sometimes as young as 10 years. It was hoped that Member States would take follow-up actions to the current draft, and that they would submit their views on the matter.
The draft resolution on the illicit transfer and use of conventional arms was approved without a vote.
The representative of Spain, spoke on behalf of the European Union and Argentina, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Estonia, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Norway, Poland and Romani. He said the members of the Union had joined the consensus on the current text, in view of their support for measures to curb the illicit transfer of conventional arms. They strictly adhered to all the arms embargoes pronounced by the Security Council and adopted all possible measures to prevent the illicit exportation of arms.
The Committee then turned to the draft resolution on preventing an arms race in outer space.
The representative of Spain spoke on behalf of the European Union and Argentina, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Estonia, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Norway, Poland and Romania.
He said members of the Union would abstain on the draft resolution. Their vote would change from a positive vote to abstention because the current text was essentially unchanged from those of previous years, even though the arms race in space had ended with the ending of the cold war. The draft resolution needed to be changed substantially. It should focus essentially on the only point which could enjoy international support in the sphere of the military use of space: the negotiation of confidence-building measures.
First Committee - 11 - Press Release GA/DIS/3040 20th Meeting (AM) 15 November 1995
The representative of the United States said his country would abstain on the text. He cited operative paragraph 8, which called on the Conference on Disarmament to undertake negotiations to conclude an agreement to prevent an arms race in outer space. There were no arms in outer space, and no further international instruments were needed.
His country also took issue with a number of statements in preambular paragraphs, he continued. There was no foundation for the claim that the arms race in space represented a grave threat to international peace and security. The text also contained a factual error regarding the Ad Hoc Committee on the issue.
Separate votes were called for on the nineteenth preambular paragraph and on operative paragraphs 8 and 10.
The nineteenth preambular paragraph recognizes that there had been agreement in the Ad Hoc Committee of the Conference on Disarmament that the conclusion of international agreement to prevent an outer space arms race remained the Committee's fundamental task.
Operative paragraph 8 requests the Conference to re-establish an ad hoc committee with an adequate mandate, with a view to undertaking negotiations to conclude such an agreement or agreements.
Operative paragraph 10 urges the Russian Federation and the United States to resume their bilateral negotiations with a view to reaching early agreement on preventing an arms race in outer space.
The nineteenth preambular paragraph was approved by 99 votes in favour to 1 against (United States), with 55 abstentions (Annex II).
Operative paragraph 8 was approved by 100 votes in favour to 1 against (United States), with 55 abstentions (Annex III).
Operative paragraph 10 was approved by 91 votes in favour to 1 against (United States), with 63 abstentions (Annex IV).
The draft resolution was approved, as a whole, by 113 votes in favour to none against, with 46 abstentions (Annex V).
The representative of the Russian Federation, speaking in explanation of the vote on the draft on preventing an arms race in outer space, said he was compelled to abstain. The most promising spheres of activity remained producing measures for confidence-building and predictability in space activities. The draft did not fully reflect the reality of the times, so he did not consider it timely to have an urgent appeal to his country and to the United States to renew bilateral negotiations designed to prevent an arms race
First Committee - 12 - Press Release GA/DIS/3040 20th Meeting (AM) 15 November 1995
in space, which was conducted formerly within the framework of producing the START I Treaty.
AMRAN M. ZIN (Malaysia), speaking before the vote on the draft to expand membership of the Conference of Disarmament, said his delegation had supported the draft because the Conference on Disarmament was the single most important forum for negotiating disarmament. However, since its establishment, it has been a selective club for a few member States. The Conference should make every effort to expand its membership to include 60 countries. Even those 23 countries newly included had yet to assume their membership. Malaysia, for one, had applied for membership in 1993.
Action on Drafts
The Committee approved without a vote the draft to expand the membership of the Conference of Disarmament.
Explanations of Votes
Speaking in explanation of vote, the representative of the United States said he was pleased to join the consensus regarding the Conference's membership expansion. He was a long-time supporter, dating back to the early 1980s. While the Conference on Disarmament had failed many times in the past to find consensus to expand its membership, the time was right for it to be more reflective of the changing environment. He was ready to take a decision in the Conference as soon as possible, in early December or early January -- before the 1996 Conference session would begin to admit all States on the O'Sullivan list.
The representative of Iran said the Conference on Disarmament could benefit from expansion of its membership. He agreed also with terms of the draft, which would seek to find the best possible way to achieve such expansion. That was a real possibility by the time the Conference would start its work in 1996.
The representative of Pakistan said he had long favoured the balanced expansion of the Conference on Disarmament to better reflect the realities of the current work. He regretted that the Conference had been unable to approve the so-called O'Sullivan list for the past two years, due unfortunately to the position taken by one delegation. No conditions or arbitrary limitations should be imposed on sovereign States.
The representative of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea said he had originally co-sponsored the draft, but there was no mention of his country and he wanted to know why.
The Committee Secretary said apparently the name of his country was omitted inadvertently and, with the Committee's concurrence, it would be reinstated.
(annexes follow)
First Committee - 13 - Press Release GA/DIS/3040 20th Meeting (AM) 15 November 1995
First Committee Press Release GA/DIS/3040 20th Meeting (AM) 15 November 1995
ANNEX I
Vote on Draft on Bilateral Nuclear Arms Negotiation and Nuclear Disarmament
The draft on bilateral nuclear arms negotiations and nuclear disarmament (Document A/C.1/50/L.44/Rev.1) was approved by a recorded vote of 95 in favour to 37 against, with 22 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Algeria, Angola, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Against: Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States.
Abstaining: Afghanistan, Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Belarus, Federated States of Micronesia, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Kazakstan, Liechtenstein, Malta, New Zealand, Paraguay, Republic of Korea, Solomon Islands, Sweden, Tajikistan, Ukraine.
Absent: Barbados, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burundi, Costa Rica, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Palau, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Zaire.
(END OF ANNEX I)
First Committee - 14 - Press Release GA/DIS/3040 20th Meeting (AM) 15 November 1995
First Committee Press Release GA/DIS/3040 20th Meeting (AM) 15 November 1995
ANNEX II
Vote on Preambular Paragraph 19 of the draft on Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space
Preambular paragraph 19 of the draft on prevention of an arms race in outer space (document A/C.1/50/L.33) was approved by a recorded vote of 99 in favour to 1 against, with 55 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Against: United States
Abstain: Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guyana, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Tajikistan, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Kingdom.
Absent: Belize, Costa Rica, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino,
Fourth Committee 15 Press Release GA/SPD/71 15th Meeting (PM) 3 November 1995
Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Zaire.
(END OF ANNEX II)
First Committee Press Release GA/DIS/3040 20th Meeting (AM) 15 November 1995
ANNEX III
Vote on Operative Paragraph 8 of the Draft on Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space
Operative paragraph 8 of the draft on prevention of an arms race in outer space (Document A/C.1/50/L.33) was approved by a recorded vote of 100 in favour to 1 against, with 55 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Against: United States.
Abstaining: Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji,
Fourth Committee 16 Press Release GA/SPD/71 15th Meeting (PM) 3 November 1995
Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guyana, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Island, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Tajikistan, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Kingdom.
Absent: Belize, Costa Rica, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Zaire.
(END OF ANNEX III)
Fourth Committee 17 Press Release GA/SPD/71 15th Meeting (PM) 3 November 1995
First Committee Press Release GA/DIS/3040 20th Meeting (AM) 15 November 1995
ANNEX IV
Vote on Operative Paragraph 10 of the Draft on Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space
Operative paragraph 10 of the draft on prevention of an arms race in outer space (Document A/C.1/50/L.33) was approved by a recorded vote of 91 in favour to 1 against, with 63 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darrusalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Island, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, Ukraine, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Against: United States
Abstaining: Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guyana, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Tajikistan, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Kingdom,
Absent: Belize, Costa Rica, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gambia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco, Palau, Saint Kitts
Fourth Committee 18 Press Release GA/SPD/71 15th Meeting (PM) 3 November 1995
and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Zaire.
(END OF ANNEX IV)
First Committee Press Release GA/DIS/3040 20th Meeting (AM) 15 November 1995
ANNEX V
Vote on the Draft on Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space
The draft on prevention of an arms race in outer space (Document A/C.1/50/L.33) was approved by a recorded vote of 113 in favour to 0 against, with 46 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, 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, Fiji, Gabon, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Against: None.
Abstaining: Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia,
Fourth Committee 19 Press Release GA/SPD/71 15th Meeting (PM) 3 November 1995
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Saint Lucia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Tajikistan, The former Yugoslave Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States.
Absent: Belize, Costa Rica, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Zaire.
* *** *