FIRST COMMITTEE APPROVES EIGHT DISARMAMENT TEXTS, SIX BY RECORDED VOTE ISSUES INCLUDE ARMS TRANSPARENCY, VERIFICATION, REGIONAL DISARMAMENT
Press Release
GA/DIS/3041*
FIRST COMMITTEE APPROVES EIGHT DISARMAMENT TEXTS, SIX BY RECORDED VOTE ISSUES INCLUDE ARMS TRANSPARENCY, VERIFICATION, REGIONAL DISARMAMENT
19951115 The General Assembly would call upon Member States to provide data for the Register of Conventional Arms on their imports and exports of arms, as well as on their military holdings and procurement, by one of several draft resolutions approved this afternoon by the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security).Approved by 137 votes in favour to none against, with 15 abstentions, the text on transparency in armaments would also have the Assembly ask the Secretary-General to ensure that sufficient resources were made available for the operation and maintenance of the Register. (For details of the vote, see Annex V.)
Prior to adoption of the text as a whole, separate votes were held on two operative paragraphs. Paragraph 3(b) recalls a request that the Secretary-General, with the assistance of a group of governmental experts, report on continuing operation of the Register. It was approved by 133 votes in favour to none against, with 12 abstentions. (Annex III.) Paragraph 5, which invites the Conference on Disarmament to consider continuing its work undertaken in the field of transparency in armaments, was approved by 133 votes in favour to none against, with 15 abstentions. (Annex IV.)
The draft resolution was one of eight disarmament related texts approved this afternoon, covering such issues as verification, the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace, the strengthening of international security, regional disarmament, conventional arms control at the regional and subregional levels, the prohibition of biological weapons, and the permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan.
By the text on verification, the Assembly would ask the Secretary- General to give the widest possible circulation to his report on verification and the United Nations role, and would encourage Member States to consider the recommendations contained in it. It would ask that he report on actions taken
_----------_ * The meeting number given in Press Release GA/DIS/3040 of 15 November should have read 21st Meeting (AM).
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by Member States and by the United Nations Secretariat regarding those recommendations. It was approved by 140 votes in favour to 1 against (United States), with 7 abstentions (Democratic People's Republic of Korea, France, Germany, Georgia, Israel, Monaco and United Kingdom). (Annex I.)
The Assembly would restate its conviction that 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 on the Indian Ocean would greatly facilitate the development of a mutually beneficial dialogue towards peace, security and stability in the region, according to another text.
By other terms of the draft on the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace, the Assembly would ask the Secretary-General to continue rendering all necessary assistance to the Committee. The draft resolution was approved by 115 votes in favour to 3 against (France, United Kingdom and United States), with 38 abstentions. (Annex VIII.)
By a draft decision on the strengthening of international security, the Assembly would decide to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-first session the item entitled "Review of the Implementation of the Declaration on the Strengthening of International Security". The text was approved by 102 votes in favour to none against, with 52 abstentions. (Annex II.)
The Assembly would call on all States to conclude agreements for nuclear non-proliferation, disarmament and confidence-building measures at the regional and subregional levels, by the text on regional disarmament. By other terms of the text, approved by 156 votes in favour to none against with 1 abstention (India), the Assembly would support and encourage efforts aimed at promoting confidence-building at regional and subregional levels. (See Annex VI.)
The draft on conventional arms control at the regional and subregional levels would have the Assembly decide to give urgent consideration to the matter. Approved by 150 votes in favour to none against with 7 abstentions (Brazil, Cuba, India, Libya, Mexico, Nigeria and Venezuela, it would ask the Conference on Disarmament to consider formulating principles for a framework for regional agreements on conventional arms control. (Annex VII.)
The General Assembly would 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 another draft resolution. Approved without a vote, it would call on all signatory States to ratify the Convention without delay and call on those States that had not signed it to become parties to it at an early date.
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Also acting without a vote, the Committee would have the Assembly recognize and support Turkmenistan's status of permanent neutrality and call on Member States to do the same. The Assembly would also call on them to respect that country's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Statements in connection with today's actions were made by the representatives of the United States, the United Kingdom, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, France, Iraq, Papua New Guinea, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Portugal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Lebanon, Nigeria, Israel, Algeria, Libya, Mexico, Cuba, Sudan, Syria, India, Indonesia, China, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Morocco, Afghanistan, Israel and Brazil.
The First Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. tomorrow, 16 November, 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 and decisions on disarmament questions. It had before it draft resolutions on the prohibition of biological weapons, the permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan, verification, transparency in armaments, the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace, regional disarmament, and conventional arms control and the regional and subregional levels. The Committee was also expected to act on a draft decision concerning the strengthening of international security.
A 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.
Further terms of the draft would include a request to the Secretary- General to continue rendering 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 Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, 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, Slovak Republic, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom and the United States.
By a 24-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 Member States 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, France, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mauritius, Moldova, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Senegal, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Ukraine.
By a draft resolution on verification, including the United Nations role (document A/C.1/50/L.12), the Assembly would ask the Secretary-General to give
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the widest possible circulation to his report on the subject (document A/50/377) and to seek the views of Member States on it. It would encourage Member States to consider the recommendations contained in his report and to assist him in their implementation. It would ask that he report on the views received from States and on actions taken by them and by the United Nations Secretariat with respect to those recommendations.
The draft resolution is sponsored by Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Czech Republic, Hungary, Kazakstan, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Republic of Korea, Moldova, Paraguay, Poland, Russian Federation, Singapore, Slovakia, Sri Lanka and Venezuela.
A draft on transparency in armaments (document A/C.1/50/L.18) would call upon Member States to provide data for the Register of Conventional Arms on their imports and exports of arms, as well as on information regarding their military holdings and procurement. All Member States would be asked to cooperate in efforts aimed at increased openness and transparency in armaments. Further provisions of the text would have the Secretary-General ensure that sufficient resources were made available for the operation and maintenance of the Register. The Secretary-General would also be asked to report on the progress of the implementation of the resolution at the next session of the General Assembly.
The draft is sponsored by Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belarus, Belgium, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Moldova, Monaco, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Samoa, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom and the United States.
By a draft resolution 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
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Secretary-General would be asked to continue rendering all necessary assistance to the Committee, including provision of summary records.
The text is sponsored by Bangladesh and by Colombia (on behalf of Member States belonging to the Non-Aligned Movement).
By a draft decision on the strengthening of international security (document A/C.1/50/L.30), the Assembly would decide to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-first session the item entitled "Review of the Implementation of the Declaration on the Strengthening of International Security".
The text is sponsored by Colombia, on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.
A 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.
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 umbrella of the United Nations, to make progress on the entire range of disarmament issues.
The text is sponsored by Albania, Armenia, Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Cameroon, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Egypt, Ghana, Haiti, Honduras, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Nepal, New Zealand, 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 and 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 Bangladesh, Benin, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Haiti, Nepal, Pakistan and The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
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Additional Co-Sponsors
SOHRAB KHERADI, Committee Secretary, announced that the following countries had joined as co-sponsors of draft resolutions and decisions: on a halt to nuclear testing (L.3), San Marino; on the Chemical Weapons Convention (L.14), Belarus; on nuclear disarmament and the elimination of nuclear weapons (L.17), Australia, Italy, Spain and Sweden; on good-neighbourly relations among Balkan States (L.43), Slovakia; on the NPT Review and Extension Conference (L.49), South Africa; on contributions to nuclear disarmament (L.50), Belarus.
Action on Drafts
Speaking in explanation before the vote on the draft on verification, the representative of the United States said his position on verification was well-known. He was unable to support the initiative of a study to which the current text referred; the study went ahead nevertheless. After reviewing the now-completed findings of the study, he could not go along with implementing recommendations to which he did not agree. He had repeatedly urged the co- sponsors of the draft to table the text along traditional lines. Unfortunately, the draft presumed that the recommendations contained in the study were broadly supported and were to be implemented by the Secretary- General. He was compelled therefore to vote against the draft.
The Committee approved the draft on verification by a recorded vote of 140 in favour to one against (United States), with seven abstentions (Germany, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, France, Israel, Georgia, Monaco and the United Kingdom). (See Annex I for details.)
The representative of the United Kingdom, speaking in explanation of vote, said he had abstained, along with the rest of the European Union, because he saw no need for such a study. He had hoped that the co-sponsors would table a purely procedural text, taking note of the study and inviting the views of Member States. It was far from procedural, and contained a number of substantial paragraphs calling for action by Member States. The draft had been amended in a way that met most of his concerns, but it still ran counter to his view that verification measures should be treated specifically.
The representative of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea said the draft undertook to intervene in a political and military issue to be settled solely by his country and the United States. That was not a question to be debated in the United Nations. In the past, such debate had created complexity. The report of the Secretary-General intentionally attempted to turn away from the nature and substance of the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula.
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The representative of France said her country had abstained in the voting because of matters of form and substance. France had not supported resolution 48/68, which called on the Secretary-General to carry out a study on verification, along with a group of experts. The study prepared by that group produced conclusions and recommendations not in keeping with her country's experience. The draft resolution could not be interpreted as a purely procedural text. Operative paragraph 3 called on States to assist the Secretary-General in implementing the recommendations contained in the report. It also asked the Secretary-General to report on views received from Member States.
The representative of Iraq said his delegation had lost its right to vote because it fell behind in contributions in view of the sanctions imposed on his country and the freezing of its assets. Had it retained the right to vote, it would have had reservations concerning the draft resolution, particularly on the paragraph concerning Iraq in the report of the group of experts. That paragraph was extraneous and dealt with inaccurate conclusions.
The representative of Papua New Guinea said that, had he been present for the voting, he would have voted in favour of the draft resolution.
The Committee then turned to the draft texts relating to international security questions.
JOSE MARIA CHAVEZ (Kyrgyzstan) said his country supported the draft texts on Turkmenistan's neutrality and on the strengthening of international security.
ALEG LAPTSENAK (Belarus) said it had become a co-sponsor of the draft resolution.
ANTONIO MONIZ (Portugal) said he would vote in favour of the draft resolution on Turkmenistan's neutrality. Turkmenistan's decision should be followed by regional dialogue to discuss its implications. Regional cooperation should be encouraged.
MUNIR AKRAM (Pakistan) expressed full support for the text on Turkmenistan's neutrality and supported its approval by consensus. Pakistan wished to join as a co-sponsor of the draft resolution.
ABDUL GHAFAR OSMAN (Afghanistan) said Turkmenistan had a legitimate right to adopt a policy of permanent neutrality, which would very much enhance the peace and stability of the region and the world. As a co-sponsor, he called for consensus approval of the text.
BEHROUZ MORADI (Iran) said his country was also co-sponsoring the text and wished to see it approved by consensus.
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The draft resolution on the permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan was approved without a vote.
The draft decision on the strengthening of international security was approved by 102 votes in favour to none against, with 52 abstentions. (See Annex II.)
The Committee then turned to the draft resolution on transparency in armaments. Separate votes were requested on operative paragraphs 3(b) and 5.
Operative paragraph 3(b) reads as follows:
"3. Reaffirms its decision, with a view to further development of the Register [of Conventional Arms], to keep the scope of and participation in the Register under review, and, to that end:
"...
"(b) Recalls its request to the Secretary-General, with the assistance of a group of governmental experts to be convened in 1997, on the basis of equitable geographical representation, to prepare a report on the continuing operation of the Register and its further development, taking into account work of the Conference on Disarmament, the views expressed by Member States and the 1994 report of the Secretary-General on the continuing operation of the Register and its further development, with a view to a decision at its fifty-second session;".
Operative paragraph 5 reads as follows:
"5. Invites the Conference on Disarmament to consider continuing its work undertaken in the field of transparency in armaments;".
Mr. KHERADI, Committee Secretary, said that provision had been made in the budget to enable the Centre for Disarmament Affairs to provide substantive support services to a group of governmental experts to meet in New York for three sessions. Should the Assembly adopt the draft resolution, its implementation would not require additional resources to undertake the activities called for in operative paragraphs 3(b) and 4, as provision for those activities had been made in the proposed programme budget.
Operative paragraph 3(b) was approved by 133 votes in favour to none against, with 12 abstentions. (Annex III.)
Operative paragraph 5 was approved by 133 votes in favour to none against, with 15 abstentions. (Annex IV.)
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The representative of Lebanon said he had abstained in error in operative paragraph 5. He had not intended to participate in the voting.
The representative of Nigeria said he had intended to abstain in the voting on paragraph 3(b), rather than supporting it.
The draft resolution on transparency in armaments was approved, as a whole, by 137 votes in favour to none against, with 15 abstentions. (Annex V.)
Speaking in explanation of the vote on transparency in armaments, the representative of Israel said he was one of the first countries to support the resolution which established the Register of Conventional Arms. However, the Register still needed to withstand the test of time. He did not support references made in operative paragraph 4, or 3(a) to weapons of mass destruction.
The representative of Algeria said he was unable to support the draft because the question of transparency had not evolved notably. The approach to transparency continued to give pride of place to its treatment. Paragraph 3(b) and 5 had not yielded the hoped-for results for a number of countries, including his own. He could not sanction an initiative which did not live up to its expectations. Therefore, he did not participate in the vote on the two paragraphs and abstained in the vote on the draft.
The representative of Libya said he had abstained in accordance with his position last year because the draft contained no new element with regards to transparency. The Register was an important stage of transparency -- but, in fact it remained limited in terms of imports and exports and did not include information on national production and stockpiles. It did not reaffirm the relationship between conventional weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, and that was very important to his delegation, particularly in the Middle East where the Israelis had stockpiles of such weapons.
He said that in another element in transparency -- namely the monopoly of nuclear power with regard to purchase of arms -- the United States had bought 600 kilograms of radium. That conduct was not just a matter of violating the principle of non-proliferation, but a source of danger to peace and security. The draft did not guarantee that those stocks would not be exported to another Power. So, any State had the right to stock and purchase nuclear material, for their manufacture. The draft did not include measures to prevents such activities.
The representative of Mexico said he had abstained on operative paragraphs 3(b) and 5 of the draft. The abstention on paragraph 3(b), reflected his view that 1997 would be too soon to carry out an in-depth evaluation of the functioning of the Register of Conventional Arms. On
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operative paragraph 5, the language might suggest that the Conference on Disarmament should continue its work in the field of transparency in accordance with its earlier mandate. That mandate had concluded. Transparency could be an item for the Conference, if it were defined clearly.
The representative of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea said he had abstained on the draft. Could the Register really contribute towards confidence-building and disarmament? States were scrambling for domination of the world arms market, and transferring large amounts of weapons to regions in conflict, in pursuit of their political purpose. The Register could not influence such transfer, because arms exporting countries were all big and powerful. It served arms trade, rather than helping confidence-building and disarmament.
The representative of Cuba said with regards to paragraph 3(b), he had abstained because 1997 was too soon for a group of experts to conclude their views on the Register, which had been in operation for only three years. Regarding paragraph 5, he had abstained because it was not the right time to add to any further work to the Conference on Disarmament.
The representative of the Sudan said he had abstained. He supported transparency in armaments, but it should have a specificity in application and be comprehensive. The Register of Conventional Arms was not enough. There also needed to be a register of weapons of mass destruction. Certain rebellious movements and mercenaries did not provide any information on such weapons.
The representative of the Syrian Arab Republic said the draft did not take into account the special situation in the Middle East region where the Arab-Israeli conflict persisted, due to Israel's occupation of Arab territories, along with its refusal to go along with Security Council resolutions. Also, Israel's ability to produce weapons of mass destruction and stockpile them illegally was a concern.
The representative of India said she had accepted the arms Register, however, perhaps the time had come to consolidate work on it. Abstaining on paragraph 3(b), she said she doubted the efficacy of convening another group of experts in 1997 to address that same issue. She voted in favour of paragraph 5, but her overall reservations had led to her abstention on the resolution as a whole.
The representative of Indonesia said he had abstained because he had doubts of the usefulness of a group of experts reviewing the Register in 1997. Also, the draft had not taken into account the work of the Conference on Disarmament. Regarding paragraph 5, which asked for the Conference to make it their highest agenda priority, he thought its priority should be the comprehensive test-ban treaty.
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The representative of Iran said his country supported the text as a whole. Transparency in armaments was important. The ideas raised deserved consideration and follow-up. Such measures might be particularly helpful in his region. Iran had provided information to the Register and hoped others would do the same. It would have liked to support the draft. However, it had reservations to operative paragraph 3(b) and references to how the work of the Conference on Disarmament should be treated.
The Conference on Disarmament could be invited to continue considering the work in transparency, he said. The results of that work, however, should be presented to the General Assembly, to be taken note of by the Member States. Experts might be invited to assist the Conference in its deliberations, as had occasionally been done in the past. The Conference might decide to present the results of its work on an issue to the Secretary- General. Reversing that order -- as suggested by operative paragraph 3 -- would create structural problems. Iran had therefore abstained on the text.
The representative of Iraq said that, if it had the right to vote, it would have abstained on the draft resolution as a whole.
The representative of China said his country had supported the draft resolution as a whole. Proper and feasible transparency measures helped build confidence and reduce tension between States. China had participated in the Register since its establishment. However, political, military and security situations varied form country to country. Transparency measures must therefore be undertaken on a voluntary basis, in accordance with the particular situation. There was a need to enhance the universality of the Register; rushing to expand it was not necessarily beneficial. The question of whether the Conference should continue its efforts in transparency should be considered by the Conference itself.
The representative of Pakistan had joined in participating in the Register and hoped it would become universal. However, the group of experts which met last year had exhausted its mandate. Some time should be allowed to elapse before convening another panel to consider the future of the Register. Pakistan had therefore abstained on paragraph 3(b). It had abstained on paragraph 5. The Conference on Disarmament was not the most important forum to take up the question of transparency, which was, at best, a confidence- building measure. However, Pakistan had supported the draft resolution as a whole.
The representative of Egypt said his country had abstained on the draft resolution. Transparency measures must be universal, comprehensive and non- discriminatory confidence-building measures. They must ensure equal rights to all States and address their security concerns. They must provide for transparency in a non-selective manner.
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Establishment of the Register had been seen as an evolutionary process, he said. However, the lack of agreement on expanding the scope of the Register was clear testimony to the lack of political will on the part of some members of the international community. Emphasis should not be placed so much on ensuring wide participation in the Register as in ensuring transparency.
The representative of Lebanon said the draft resolution fell short of providing full transparency in the field of armaments. There was particular concern in the Middle East at Israel's unwillingness to accede to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and to place its nuclear facilities under full-scope International Atomic Energy (IAEA) safeguards. Lebanon had therefore abstained in the voting.
The representative of Sri Lanka said his country had abstained in the voting on the operative paragraphs and on the draft resolution as a whole. His country supported transparency and confidence-building measures. However, transparency in armaments could not be done selectively -- considering conventional weapons and totally ignoring weapons of mass destruction. There could also be no selectivity in dealing with conventional weapons themselves, as was the case with the Register, which was limited in scope. It was hoped this matter would be addressed in the Conference on Disarmament in a comprehensive and non-discriminatory manner.
The Committee then turned to draft resolution on the prohibition of biological weapons. Mr. KHERADI said a statement of its programme budget implications would be issued tomorrow, and had been read out at this morning's meetings.
ABDUL GHAFAR OSMAN (Monaco) said he wished to become a sponsor of the draft prohibiting biological weapons.
MACQUES BOISSON (Afghanistan) also asked to be named as a co-sponsor.
The Committee approved the draft resolution on prohibition of biological weapons without a vote.
The representative of Israel, speaking in explanation of vote, joined consensus because it supported the objective of global prohibition of biological weapons, but any agreement must include all the States in the region of the Middle East. Measures of compliance and endorsement required a verification regime.
The Committee then turned to the draft on conventional arms control at the regional and subregional levels.
The representative of Brazil would abstain in the vote on the draft because he could not agree with the third preambular paragraph which stated
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that conventional arms control needed to be pursued in regional and subregional contexts. Regional disarmament was complementary towards global efforts. The second reason for his opposition was the request for the Conference on Disarmament to consider formulating principles to serve as a framework for agreements on conventional arms control. The Conference had as its primary task the job of negotiating arms agreement, and it would not be appropriate for it to embark on the formulation of those principles.
The draft resolution on regional disarmament was approved by 156 votes in favour to none against, with 1 abstention (India). (Annex VI.)
The draft resolution on conventional arms control at the regional and subregional levels was approved by 150 votes in favour to none against, with 7 abstentions (Brazil, Cuba, India, Libya, Mexico, Nigeria and Venezuela). (Annex VII.)
The representative of India said the text on regional disarmament did not take account of the guidelines developed by the Disarmament Commission after detailed discussions in 1993. Those guidelines stated that regional arrangements should be agreed to freely by the States concerned and that States participating in regional arrangements should define the region concerned. They should also take account of broader regional factors which affected security, as well as of the accumulation of conventional weapons by a State's legitimate needs. Such considerations were not reflected in the draft resolution.
The draft focused exclusively on the needs of small States, she said. It was more realistic to recognize that the security concerns of all States, small and large, must be met. Nuclear non-proliferation in all its aspects was a global issue, which could only be effectively dealt with at the global level.
The representative of Indonesia said his country should have been indicated as a co-sponsor of the draft resolution.
The representative of Cuba supported regional disarmament and supported the regional approaches which had been profoundly debated. By the terms of the text, however, certain ideas, such as the participation of all countries of the region concerned in adopting regional arrangements, had been omitted. Yet he voted in favour of the draft.
He had abstained on the draft on conventional arms control at the regional and subregional levels, in part because the key consideration of having the full consent of all States was overlooked, as was the need for global disarmament. In the operative part, he believed the Disarmament Conference had some very important negotiations before it, such as the
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comprehensive test-ban Treaty and that negotiating body should not be distracted form its highest priority. Therefore he abstained on those texts.
The Committee then turned to the draft on the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace, approving it by a recorded vote of 115 in favour, to three against (France, United Kingdom and United States), with 38 abstentions. (See Annex VIII for details of vote.)
The representative of the United States said he had voted against the resolution. Such a resolution must recognize the navigational rights and freedoms protected under customary law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. In times of financial crisis, such as those being faced presently by the United Nations, it could no longer support bodies which had outlived their usefulness, such as the Ad Hoc Committee on the Indian Ocean. Financial responsibility dictated the peaceful resolution of disputes in an appropriate regional forum, as was done in the South Atlantic region. The regional participants should identify an appropriate regional forum, and he looked forward to next year's resolution accomplishing that aim.
(annexes follow)
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First Committee Press Release GA/DIS/3041 22nd Meeting (PM) 15 November 1995
ANNEX I
Vote on the draft on Verification in All Aspects, Including the Role of United Nations
The draft on verification in all its aspects including the role of United Nations (Document A/C.1/50/L.12) was approved by a recorded vote of 140 in favour to 1 against, with 7 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, Gabon, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Against: United States.
Abstaining: Democratic People's Republic of Korea, France, Georgia, Germany, Israel, Monaco, United Kingdom.
Absent: Angola, Barbados, Belize, Burundi, Cambodia, China, Costa Rica, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Tajikistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Zaire.
(END OF ANNEX I)
First Committee - 15 - Press Release GA/DIS/3041 22nd Meeting (PM) 15 November 1995
First Committee Press Release GA/DIS/3041 22nd Meeting (PM) 15 November 1995
ANNEX II
Vote on the Draft on Strengthening of International Security
The draft on strengthening of international security (document A/C.1/50/L.3) was approved by a recorded vote of 102 in favour to none against, with 52 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Krgyzstan, 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, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Against: None.
Abstaining: Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States.
Absent: Angola, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Costa Rica, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Zaire.
(END OF ANNEX II)
First Committee - 16 - Press Release GA/DIS/3041 22nd Meeting (PM) 15 November 1995
First Committee Press Release GA/DIS/3041 22nd Meeting (PM) 15 November 1995
ANNEX III
Vote on operative paragraph 3(b) of the Draft on Transparency in Armaments
Operative paragraph 3(b) of the draft on Transparency in armaments (document A/C.1/50/L.18) was approved by a recorded vote of 133 in favour to none against, with 12 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Samoa, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Against: None.
Abstaining: China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Iran, Libya, Mexico, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan.
Absent: Algeria, Angola, Belize, Costa Rica, Djibouti, Dominica, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Palau, Qatar, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Syria, Tajikistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zaire.
(END OF ANNEX III)
First Committee - 17 - Press Release GA/DIS/3041 22nd Meeting (PM) 15 November 1995
First Committee Press Release GA/DIS/3041 22nd Meeting (PM) 15 November 1995
ANNEX IV
Vote on Operative Paragraph 5 of the Draft on Transparency in Armaments
The operative paragraph 5 of the draft on transparency in armaments (document A/C.1/50/L.18) was approved by a recorded vote of 133 in favour to none against, with 15 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakstan, Krgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Oman, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Samoa, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Against: None.
Abstaining: China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Egypt, Indonesia, Kenya, Lebanon, Libya, Mexico, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Sudan.
Absent: Algeria, Angola, Belize, Costa Rica, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Palau, Qatar, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Syria, Tajikistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zaire.
(END OF ANNEX IV)
First Committee - 18 - Press Release GA/DIS/3041 22nd Meeting (PM) 15 November 1995
First Committee Press Release GA/DIS/3041 22nd Meeting (PM) 15 November 1995
ANNEX V
Vote on the Draft on Transparency in Armaments
The draft on transparency in armaments (Document A/C.1/50/L.18) was approved by a recorded vote of 137 in favour to none against, with 15 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Somoa, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Swaziland, 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:
Abstaining: Algeria, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Lebanon, Libya, Mexico, Myanmar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria.
Absent: Angola, Argentina, Belize, Costa Rica, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, Zaire.
(END OF ANNEX V)
First Committee - 19 - Press Release GA/DIS/3041 22nd Meeting (PM) 15 November 1995
First Committee Press Release GA/DIS/3041 22nd Meeting (PM) 15 November 1995
ANNEX VI
Vote on the Draft on Regional Disarmament
The draft on regional disarmament (Document A/C.1/50/L.38) was approved be a recorded vote of 156 in favour to none against, with 1 abstention, as follows:
In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua 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, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Tajikistan, 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, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Against:
Abstaining: India.
Absent: Angola, Barbados, Belize, Costa Rica, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Palau, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Zaire.
(END OF ANNEX VI)
First Committee - 20 - Press Release GA/DIS/3041 22nd Meeting (PM) 15 November 1995
First Committee Press Release GA/DIS/3041 22nd Meeting (PM) 15 November 1995
ANNEX VII
Vote on the Draft on Conventional Arms Control at the regional and subregional level
The draft on conventional arms control at the regional and subregional level (Document A/C.1/50/L.40) was approved by a recorded vote of 150 in favour to none against, with 7 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Tajikistan, 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, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Against:
Abstaining: Brazil, Cuba, India, Libya, Mexico, Nigeria, Venezuela.
Absent: Angola, Barbados, Belize, Costa Rica, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, Zaire.
(END OF ANNEX VII)
First Committee - 21 - Press Release GA/DIS/3041 22nd Meeting (PM) 15 November 1995
First Committee Press Release GA/DIS/3041 22nd Meeting (PM) 15 November 1995
ANNEX VIII
Vote on Draft on the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace
The draft on the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace (document A/C.1/50/L.27) was approved by a recorded vote of 115 in favour to 3 against, with 38 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, 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, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, 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, Tajikistan, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Against: France, United Kingdom, United States.
Abstaining: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey.
Absent: Angola, Belize, Costa Rica, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Jamaica, Monaco, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Zaire.
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