SYSTEMATIC GLOBAL REDUCTION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS WITH GOAL OF ELIMINATION CALLED FOR IN RESOLUTION APPROVED BY FIRST COMMITTEE

11 November 1996

Press Release
GA/DIS/3068

SYSTEMATIC GLOBAL REDUCTION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS WITH GOAL OF ELIMINATION CALLED FOR IN RESOLUTION APPROVED BY FIRST COMMITTEE

19961111 Also Approves Texts on South Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone, Treaty for Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America, Caribbean

The General Assembly would call for determined efforts by the nuclear-weapon States to reduce nuclear weapons globally with the goal of their ultimate elimination, by one of three draft resolutions on nuclear weapons approved this morning by the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security).

By that text, the Assembly would also urge States not party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) to accede to it at the earliest possible date. The draft was approved by a recorded vote oF 132 in favour to none against, with 11 abstentions. (For details of the vote see Annex IV).

Prior to approval of the draft, the Committee, in separate votes, approved the seventh preambular paragraph, which welcomed the adoption of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty -- 133 in favour to 1 against (India), with 6 abstentions (Cuba, Lebanon, Libya, Syria, United Republic of Tanzania, Zimbabwe) -- and operative paragraph 1, urging accession to the NPT -- 138 in favour to 2 against (India, Israel), with 2 abstentions (Brazil, Cuba) (Annexes II and III).

Under the terms of another draft approved this morning, the Assembly would reaffirm its endorsement of the concept of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in South Asia, and welcomed the support of all five nuclear-weapon States for that zone. The text was approved by a recorded vote of 130 in favour to 3 against (Bhutan, India, Mauritius), with 8 abstentions (Afghanistan, Algeria, Cuba, Cyprus, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Viet Nam) (Annex I).

The representative of India said that draft was politically motivated and aimed solely at her country. It did not meet the United Nations requirements that such a zone be based on an appropriate definition of the region, taking into account its specific characteristics and security needs, and be freely arrived at by the States concerned.

First Committee - 1a - Press Release GA/DIS/3068 18th Meeting (AM) 11 November 1996

By the terms of another text on nuclear-weapon-free zones, approved without a vote, the Assembly would welcome recent steps for consolidating the regime of military denuclearization established by the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco).

Statements were made this morning by the representatives of Algeria, Brazil, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, China, Colombia, Cuba, Egypt, France, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, United States, Viet Nam, Zimbabwe.

The Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. to continue taking action on disarmament drafts.

Committee Work Programme

The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) met this morning to begin taking action on disarmament-related draft resolutions and decisions. It had before it nuclear weapon related texts on the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones in South Asia, the Middle East, the nuclear- weapon-free southern hemisphere, and consolidation of the regimes established by the Treaties of Tlatelolco and Pelindaba.

Other texts concern the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, nuclear disarmament, nuclear disarmament with a view to the elimination of nuclear weapons, the prohibition of the use of nuclear weapons, the risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East, security arrangements for non-nuclear-weapon States, the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, and two texts on bilateral nuclear arms negotiations.

A draft resolution on the Review Conference of the Parties to the Non- Proliferation Treaty (document A/C.1/51/L.3) would have the Assembly take note of the decision of the parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) to hold the first meeting of the Preparatory Committee in New York from 7 to 18 April 1997, for the Review Conference to be held in the year 2000. The Assembly would ask the Secretary-General to render the necessary assistance and provide such services as may be required for the Conference and its Preparatory Committee, including summary records.

The draft is sponsored by Sri Lanka on behalf of the States parties to the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

A draft resolution on the nuclear-weapon-free southern hemisphere and adjacent areas (document A/C.1/51/L.4/Rev.1) would have the Assembly urge ratification of the treaties establishing nuclear-weapon-free zones in Latin America and the Caribbean, in the South Pacific, South-East Asia and Africa, by all regional States, and adherence to their protocols by all relevant States that have not already done so. The Assembly would call upon all States to consider proposals to establish further nuclear-weapon-free zones, especially in areas such as the Middle East.

The draft would have the Assembly call upon the States parties and signatories to the Treaties of Tlatelolco, Rarotonga, Bangkok and Pelindaba to explore and implement further means of cooperation, including efforts to consolidate the status of the nuclear-weapon-free southern hemisphere and adjacent areas.

[The treaties cited above are: the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco); the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Rarotonga); the South-East

First Committee - 3 - Press Release GA/DIS/3068 18th Meeting (AM) 11 November 1996

Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Bangkok Treaty); and the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Pelindaba Treaty).]

The draft resolution is sponsored by Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Bahamas, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Suriname, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Zaire and Zimbabwe.

A draft resolution on establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in south Asia (document A/C.1/51/L.6), sponsored by Bangladesh and Pakistan, would have the Assembly reaffirm its endorsement, in principle, of the concept of such a zone. The Assembly would once again urge the States of south Asia to continue making all efforts to establish the zone and to refrain, in the meantime, from any action contrary to that objective.

The Assembly would welcome the support of all five nuclear-weapon States for that proposal, and call upon them to extend the necessary cooperation in efforts to establish a nuclear-weapon-free zone in south Asia. It would ask the Secretary-General to communicate with the States of the region and other concerned States, in order to ascertain their views on the issue and to promote consultations among them on it.

By a draft resolution on the Treaty of Tlatelolco (document A/C.1/51/L.9), the Assembly would welcome concrete steps by some countries of the region during the past year for the consolidation of the regime of military denuclearization established by the Treaty. It would also note with satisfaction the full adherence of Guyana to the Treaty, as of 6 May, and urge countries of the region that have not done so to ratify amendments to the Treaty approved by the General Conference of the Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean.

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

First Committee - 4 - Press Release GA/DIS/3068 18th Meeting (AM) 11 November 1996

Under a draft resolution on nuclear disarmament (document A/C.1/51/L.17), the Assembly would call for the determined pursuit by the nuclear-weapon States of systematic and progressive efforts to reduce nuclear weapons globally, with the ultimate goal of eliminating them, and by all States of general and complete disarmament. It would urge those States not party to the NPT to accede to it at the earliest possible date. It would also call on all States parties to work for a smooth start of the strengthened review process as the Preparatory Committee convened in 1997 for the next Review Conference to be held in the year 2000.

The draft is sponsored by Australia, Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and Venezuela.

A draft resolution on a convention to prohibit the use of nuclear weapons (document A/C.1/51/L.19/Rev.1), would have the Assembly reiterate its request that the Conference on Disarmament begin negotiations on an international convention to prohibit the use or threatened use of nuclear weapons under any circumstances. It would use, as a possible basis for that text, a draft convention annexed to the draft resolution.

The draft resolution is sponsored by Bangladesh, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Libya, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Sudan and Viet Nam.

The Committee also has before it two texts sponsored by Colombia on behalf of Member States which are also members of the Non-Aligned Movement. By the first, a draft resolution on bilateral nuclear-arms negotiations and nuclear disarmament (document A/C.1/51/L.21), the Assembly would call upon the Russian Federation and the United States to give the highest priority to intensifying efforts to achieve deep reductions in their nuclear armaments, in order to contribute to the elimination of nuclear weapons within a time-bound framework. It would invite them to keep the Conference on Disarmament informed of their progress in their discussions and urge them to make further efforts to bring the Treaty on Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms into force at the earliest possible date.

By a draft resolution on the Treaty of Pelindaba (document A/C.1/51/L.23), the Assembly would call upon African States to sign and ratify that Treaty as soon as possible, so it can enter into force without delay. It would call upon the States contemplated in its Protocol III to take all necessary measures to ensure the Treaty's speedy application to territories for which they are internationally responsible or which lie within the geographical zone established in the Treaty.

First Committee - 5 - Press Release GA/DIS/3068 18th Meeting (AM) 11 November 1996

Further terms of the text would have the Assembly call on the African States parties to the NPT which have not yet concluded comprehensive safeguards agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to do so, thereby satisfying a requirement of the Pelindaba Treaty.

The draft resolution is sponsored by Burundi on behalf of the African Group of States.

By a draft resolution on the risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East (document A/C.1/51/L.27), the Assembly would call upon Israel, the only State in the region that was not yet party to the NPT, to accede to it without further delay. It would also call on Israel not to develop, produce, test or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons, and to renounce possession of nuclear weapons.

The draft would have the Assembly call upon Israel to place all unsafeguarded nuclear facilities under full-scope IAEA safeguards, as an important confidence-building measure among all States of the region and as a step towards enhancing peace and security. The Assembly would also welcome Djibouti's accession to the NPT, as well as Oman's decision to accede to it. The Assembly would reaffirm its support for the further operation and strengthening of the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa. It would encourage the Centre's efforts to promote cooperation with regional and subregional organizations, as well as among African States, in order to help develop effective confidence-building, arms limitation and disarmament measures.

The draft is sponsored by Egypt on behalf of Member States which are members of the League of Arab States.

A draft resolution on the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East (document A/C.1/51/L.28/Rev.1), sponsored by Egypt, would have the Assembly urge all parties directly concerned to consider taking the urgent steps needed to establish such a zone, and invite them to adhere to the NPT. Pending the establishment of the zone, it would call on all countries of the region that have not done so to agree to place all their nuclear activities under IAEA safeguards.

The Assembly would stress the importance of achieving rapid progress in the bilateral Middle East peace negotiations for the promotion of security in the region. It would invite all countries in the region to declare their support for establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone there. It would invite them not to develop, produce, test or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons or permit the stationing on their territories, or territories under their control, of nuclear weapons.

First Committee - 6 - Press Release GA/DIS/3068 18th Meeting (AM) 11 November 1996

In addition, the Assembly would invite all States to assist in the establishment of the zone. It would also invite all parties to consider appropriate means that might contribute to the goal of general and complete disarmament in the Middle East. It would ask the Secretary-General to continue pursuing consultations with the States of the region and other concerned States in order to move towards establishment of a nuclear-weapon- free zone in the Middle East.

A draft resolution on security assurances for non-nuclear-weapon States (document A/C.1/51/L.30) would have the Assembly reaffirm the urgent need to reach early agreement on such security arrangements. It would note with satisfaction that there was no objection in principle in the Conference on Disarmament to the idea of an international convention to assure non-nuclear- weapon States against the threat or use of such weapons, although the difficulties of evolving an approach acceptable to all have also been pointed out.

The draft would have the Assembly appeal to all States, especially the nuclear-weapon States, to work towards early agreement on a common approach and common formula that could be included in a legally binding international instrument. It would recommend that further intensive efforts be devoted to the search for such an approach or formula. It would also recommend that the Conference should continue its intensive negotiations with a view to reaching early agreement and concluding effective international arrangements for such security assurances.

The draft resolution is sponsored by Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Colombia, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Ghana, Guatemala, Indonesia, Iran, Libya, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Viet Nam and Zaire.

Under a draft resolution on the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice regarding nuclear weapons (document A/C.1/51/L.37), the Assembly would underline the Court's unanimous conclusion that an obligation exists to pursue good-faith negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament. It would call on all States to fulfil that obligation immediately by starting multilateral negotiations in 1997 leading to early conclusion of a convention to prohibit the development, production, testing, deployment, stockpiling, transfer, threat or use of nuclear weapons, and providing for their elimination.

The draft is sponsored by Afghanistan, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Fiji, Ghana, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Lesotho, Libya, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Paraguay, Philippines, Samoa, San Marino, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Viet Nam and Zimbabwe.

First Committee - 7 - Press Release GA/DIS/3068 18th Meeting (AM) 11 November 1996

By a draft resolution on nuclear disarmament (document A/C.1/51/L.39), the Assembly would urge the nuclear-weapon States to stop immediately the qualitative improvement, development, production and stockpiling of nuclear warheads and their delivery systems. It would call on them to undertake step-by-step reduction of the nuclear threat and a phased programme of progressive and balanced deep reductions of nuclear weapons, and to carry out nuclear disarmament measures with a view to totally eliminating those weapons within a time-bound framework.

The Conference on Disarmament would be called on to give priority to establishing an ad hoc committee to begin negotiations early in 1997 on a phased programme of nuclear disarmament, aimed at the eventual elimination of those weapons through a nuclear-weapon convention. It would also be urged to take account of the proposal of 28 delegations for a programme of action for the elimination of nuclear weapons.

The draft is sponsored by Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Lesotho, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Thailand, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Zaire, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

By a draft resolution on bilateral nuclear arms negotiations and nuclear disarmament (document A/C.1/51/L.45), the General Assembly would encourage the Russian Federation, United States, Belarus, Kazakstan and Ukraine to continue their cooperative efforts aimed at eliminating nuclear weapons and strategic offensive arms on the basis of existing agreements. The Assembly would encourage and support the Russian Federation and the United States in their efforts to reduce their nuclear weapons and to continue to give those efforts the highest priority in order to contribute to the ultimate elimination of those weapons.

The draft is sponsored by Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Tajikistan, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States.

First Committee - 8 - Press Release GA/DIS/3068 18th Meeting (AM) 11 November 1996

Introduction of drafts

MYA THAN (Myanmar) introduced a 39-Power draft resolution on nuclear disarmament (document A/C.1/51/L.39), which would have the Assembly urge the nuclear-weapon States to stop the qualitative improvement, development and stockpiling of nuclear warheads and their delivery systems. Further concrete steps were now needed along the path to nuclear disarmament, he said, a process which had been given impetus by the historic advisory opinion of the World Court, and by the proposals that had emerged from this year's Canberra Conference on a phased programme of nuclear disarmament. He welcomed those encouraging trends, which made it appropriate for the Conference on Disarmament to begin work on a nuclear-disarmament convention. That point was reflected in the current draft, as was the need for the nuclear-weapon States to undertake step-by-step reduction of nuclear weapons, with a view to the elimination of those weapons within a time-bound framework.

MUNIR AKRAM (Pakistan), commenting on that draft, said his delegation believed it to be one of the most important texts before the Committee. Its proposals were an essential corollary to the consensus arrived at by the Non- Aligned Movement leaders at the Cartagena Conference earlier this year. A phased programme of nuclear disarmament was at the core of that consensus. Negotiations on specific measures should take place within the appropriate forums. He hoped the draft would receive the widest possible support.

B.A.B. GOONETILLEKE (Sri Lanka), commenting on the text, said that weapons of mass destruction had been the focus of the international community for many years. Multilateral negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament had resulted in a number of successful treaties and there had been successes in bilateral negotiations, as well. Enhanced mutual accommodation through confidence-building measures had been behind those negotiating successes. He fully endorsed the call made in the draft for the nuclear-weapon States to begin negotiations for a step-by-step programme of nuclear disarmament.

STEPHEN LEDOGAR (United States) said that the United States did not like the draft just introduced, and would probably vote accordingly. The draft did not even try to capture consensus on the issue of nuclear disarmament. That consensus, however, was to be found in the context of the NPT. The preambular part of the draft threw "a few bones" to the progress achieved by such successes as the Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty, extension of the NPT, and the creation of nuclear-weapon-free zones around the world. Otherwise, the draft was a recipe for stalemate, full of arbitrary dictates on form and timing. If the proponents of an early special session on disarmament were bewildered by lack of support for that proposal, they would find the explanation in the draft just introduced.

First Committee - 9 - Press Release GA/DIS/3068 18th Meeting (AM) 11 November 1996

MAGED ABDEL AZIZ (Egypt) said the draft merited the utmost priority in the Conference on Disarmament. The issue of nuclear disarmament must remain at the forefront of the nuclear agenda. The progress already recorded in the nuclear-disarmament field should be coupled with similar progress in continuing nuclear disarmament, which was outlined in the draft's proposals for a phased reduction of the nuclear threat. All disarmament measures were inextricably bound to one another.

ANTONIO DE ICAZA (Mexico) said current international circumstances favoured adoption of the three-step programme of nuclear disarmament put forward in the Conference on Disarmament by 28 members of the Non-Aligned Movement earlier this year. The draft did not seek to please or displease any delegation. It merely aimed to heed the international community's call for the elimination of nuclear weapons. No other issue could have higher priority.

ABDELKADER MESDOUA (Algeria) said that his country was among the co-sponsors of the draft under discussion as a first step towards substantive negotiations on universally applicable and non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament. It should be seen as a guidepost along the road to collective global security based on the absence of all nuclear weapons.

HUMBERTO RIVERO ROSARIO (Cuba) said that the current draft was among the most important texts before the Committee, which was why his delegation had been among the draft's co-sponsors.

NSANZE TERENCE (Burundi) announced his country's decision to co-sponsor the draft on nuclear disarmament. His delegation was strongly committed to general and complete disarmament, and regretted that those efforts moved at the pace of a tortoise -- hamstrung and impeded.

BEHROOUZ MORADI (Iran) shared the support so far expressed on the nuclear disarmament draft. It was a timely initiative which addressed the highest priority issue on the disarmament agenda and provided a clear path to rid the world of nuclear weapons.

Statements

ARUNDHATI GHOSE (India) said the continued existence of nuclear weapons clearly remained the concern of the international community. There were three mutually supportive drafts which formed a coherent whole: the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice; the draft on nuclear disarmament; and the text proposing a convention on the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons. She said the world was a nuclear-weapon zone for the five nuclear-weapon States and the rest of the world needed to seek protection from those countries. The draft to establish a nuclear-weapon-free zone in south Asia was aimed exclusively at India, and did not have her support.

First Committee - 10 - Press Release GA/DIS/3068 18th Meeting (AM) 11 November 1996

ANGELICA ARCE MORA (Mexico) said her delegation endorsed the draft on bilateral negotiations on nuclear arms. She requested support for the draft on the Treaty of Tlatelolco, which her delegation had introduced, and she supported the draft on the nuclear-weapon-free southern hemisphere. The text on the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice was intended to urge all States to comply with their obligation to conclude negotiations on a convention on nuclear weapons leading to their complete elimination. The text was not intended to judge the Court's opinion.

Mr. ABDEL AZIZ (Egypt) said that the Cairo Declaration had emphasized the value of nuclear-weapon-free zones, and had strengthened even further the push for such a zone in the Middle East. A nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East would not only build regional confidence, but enhance the security of Africa and the viability of the nuclear-weapon-free zone in Africa.

MUNIR AKRAM (Pakistan) said that his country would support the draft on nuclear disarmament with a view to the ultimate elimination of nuclear weapons, sponsored by Japan, as well as both drafts on bilateral negotiations for nuclear disarmament, despite reservations on the draft introduced last week by the United States. Similarly, Pakistan -- although not party to the NPT -- would support the draft on that Treaty.

As for the draft on a nuclear-weapon-free zone in South Asia, he continued, Pakistan believed that objective remained relevant to the global goal of nuclear disarmament. It was not aimed at any single country, but was an effort to capture the commitments made by all countries of South Asia to the goal of nuclear disarmament. For certain countries to argue that their security needs went beyond South Asia was to justify the proliferation of nuclear weapons -- a goal his country could not support. He urged the one State that had consistently opposed the concept to come on board.

ANDELFO GARCIA (Colombia), speaking on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement of countries, said that many delegations had commented on the draft on bilateral negotiations that calls for the elimination of nuclear weapons within a time-bound framework. He merely wished to urge the Committee to support the text, as orally amended.

ERNEST POUHE (Cameroon), on behalf of the Group of African States, noted an oral amendment to the draft text on the Pelindaba Treaty.

JOSE EDUARDO FELICIO (Brazil) told the Committee that the draft on the southern hemisphere as a nuclear-weapon-free zone had been amended.

First Committee - 11 - Press Release GA/DIS/3068 18th Meeting (AM) 11 November 1996

Action on Texts

The representative of India, speaking in explanation of position on the draft on the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in South Asia, said she had requested a recorded vote on that draft. The draft was politically motivated and aimed solely at India. In addition, it did not meet the United Nations requirements for establishing such a zone, which states that it should be based on an appropriate definition of the region, taking into account its specific characteristics and security needs and must be freely arrived at by the States concerned.

The Committee approved the draft on a nuclear-weapon-free zone in South Asia by a recorded vote of 130 in favour to 3 against (Bhutan, India, Mauritius), with 8 abstentions (Afghanistan, Algeria, Cuba, Cyprus, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Viet Nam). (For details of the vote see Annex I.)

The representative of Indonesia said such a zone should be based on agreements freely arrived at among States of the region, and therefore had decided to abstain.

The representative of the United States said his country attached great importance to nuclear non-proliferation initiatives in South Asia, but its vote in favour of the draft was not a blanket endorsement of all nuclear- weapon-free zones.

The representative of Israel said his country voted in favour of the draft, but such zones should be tailored to the characteristics of the region,and be freely arrived at. The timing and characteristics of such a zone should be agreed upon by all parties concerned, and should originate from within the region through free and direct negotiations.

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

The representative of India, speaking before action on the text on nuclear disarmament with a view to the ultimate elimination of nuclear weapons, called for separate votes on operative paragraph 1 and preambular paragraph 7. Those paragraphs referred respectively to the NPT and to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), neither of which treaties India had joined. She also requested a separate vote on the resolution as a whole. Although India supported the elimination of nuclear weapons, it did not believe that the experience of recent years sanctioned the view that the NPT route would lead to such total elimination. The draft sought to translate the language of the NPT into international customary law, which was unacceptable.

The representative of Iran said that his country would not be able to support the draft.

First Committee - 12 - Press Release GA/DIS/3068 18th Meeting (AM) 11 November 1996

The representative of Pakistan said that notwithstanding its title, the draft related more to nuclear non-proliferation than to nuclear disarmament. Moreover, Pakistan was not a party to the NPT. With regard to operative paragraph 1, which urged States to accede to the NPT, Pakistan could not unilaterally accede. It could do so only simultaneously with its neighbour, India. However, in view of Pakistan's support for the draft's goals, it would vote in favour.

The representative of Egypt said that his country had previously abstained on all wording that welcomed the indefinite extension of the NPT. Those objections remained valid today. Some countries at the review and extension Conference had aimed solely at indefinite extension. That extension decision had been taken regardless of progress in the review process. He hoped that defect would be remedied next year.

Preambular paragraph 7 referring to the CTBT, was approved by a recorded vote of 133 in favour to 1 against (India), with 6 abstentions (Cuba, Libya, Lebanon, Syria, United Republic of Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Cuba) (Annex II).

Operative paragraph 1, referring to the NPT, was approved by a recorded vote of 138 in favour to 2 against (India, Israel), with 2 abstentions (Cuba, Brazil) (Annex III).

The draft resolution as a whole was approved by a recorded vote of 132 in favour, with 11 abstentions (Annex IV).

Speaking after the vote, the representative of Brazil said he had abstained on the draft because it focused too exclusively on international disarmament agreements, while giving short shrift to regional arrangements, such as the Treaty of Tlatelolco.

The representative of Viet Nam said he had supported the draft. Its position on nuclear disarmament was clear. However, it would have preferred the text of the draft to have accorded more fully with the promise implicit in its title.

The representative of Algeria had not been able to support the draft because it overlapped and even contradicted the draft on nuclear disarmament and the decision of the International Court of Justice which his country had co-sponsored. He believed the two proposals should be merged. Furthermore, the draft just approved by the Committee did not contemplate disarmament through appropriate steps in a phased framework. He hoped that common ground on the draft would be sought and achieved in future.

The representative of Zimbabwe said that he had intended to vote in favour of operative paragraph 7.

First Committee - 13 - Press Release GA/DIS/3068 18th Meeting (AM) 11 November 1996

The representative of Cuba said he had abstained on the draft because the text focused on matters almost exclusively related to non-proliferation. It made no call on the nuclear-weapon States to negotiate in good faith towards the goal of nuclear disarmament. The draft reduced the goal of elimination of nuclear disarmament to a very limited -- and unacceptable -- avenue of approach.

The representative of Nigeria said she had abstained because the draft overlapped a second draft on nuclear disarmament, which Nigeria had co-sponsored.

(Annexes follow)

First Committee - 14 - Press Release GA/DIS/3068 18th Meeting (AM) 11 November 1996

ANNEX I

Vote on South Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone

The draft resolution on the establishment of a Nuclear-Weapon-free Zone in South Asia (document A/C.1/51/L.6) was approved by a recorded vote of 130 in favour to 3 against, with 8 abstentions:

In favour: Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, 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, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against: Bhutan, India, Mauritius.

Abstaining: Afghanistan, Algeria, Cuba, Cyprus, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Viet Nam.

Absent: Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cambodia, Comoros, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Federated States of Micronesia, Gambia, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Lebanon, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Zaire. (END OF ANNEX I)

First Committee 15 Press Release GA/DIS/3068 18th Meeting (AM) 11 November 1996

ANNEX II

Vote on Elimination of Nuclear Weapons -- Preambular Paragraph 7

Preambular paragraph seven of the draft resolution on nuclear disarmament with a view to the ultimate elimination of nuclear weapons, which refers to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (document A/C.1/51/L.17) was approved by a recorded vote of 133 in favour to 1 against, with 6 abstentions: In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote D'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mexico, Monaco, 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, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia.

Against: India.

Abstaining: Cuba, Lebanon, Libya, Syria, United Republic of Tanzania, Zimbabwe.

Absent: Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cambodia, Comoros, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Federated States of Micronesia, Gambia, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Iran, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Saints Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Swaziland, Tajikistan,

First Committee 16 Press Release GA/DIS/3068 18th Meeting (AM) 11 November 1996

Trinidad and Tobago, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Zaire. (END OF ANNEX II)

First Committee 17 Press Release GA/DIS/3068 18th Meeting (AM) 11 November 1996

ANNEX III

Vote on Elimination of Nuclear Weapons -- Preambular Paragraph 1

Operative paragraph one of the draft resolution on nuclear disarmament with a view to the ultimate elimination of nuclear weapons, which refers to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), (document A/C.1/51/L.17) was approved by a recorded vote of 138 in favour to 2 against, with 2 abstentions:

In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote D'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mexico, Monaco, 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, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against: India, Israel.

Abstaining: Brazil, Cuba.

Absent: Albania, Andorra, Antigua-Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cambodia, Comoros, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Federated States of Micronesia, Gambia, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Saints Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Swaziland, Tajikistan,

First Committee 18 Press Release GA/DIS/3068 18th Meeting (AM) 11 November 1996

Trinidad and Tobago, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Zaire.

(END OF ANNEX III)

First Committee 19 Press Release GA/DIS/3068 18th Meeting (AM) 11 November 1996

ANNEX IV

Vote on Elimination of Nuclear Weapons

The draft resolution on nuclear disarmament with a view to the ultimate elimination of nuclear weapons (document A/C.1/51/L.17) was approved by a recorded vote of 132 in favour to none against, with 11 abstentions:

In favour: Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote D'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against: None.

Abstaining: Algeria, Brazil, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Iran, Israel, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nigeria.

Absent: Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cambodia, Comoros, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Federated States of Micronesia, Gambia, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu,

First Committee 20 Press Release GA/DIS/3068 18th Meeting (AM) 11 November 1996

Zaire. * *** *