DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE CHARGED WITH NEGOTIATING AGREEMENT TO PREVENT ARMS RACE IN OUTER SPACE, IN FIRST COMMITTEE DRAFT TEXT
Press Release
GA/DIS/3073
DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE CHARGED WITH NEGOTIATING AGREEMENT TO PREVENT ARMS RACE IN OUTER SPACE, IN FIRST COMMITTEE DRAFT TEXT
19961114 United States Says No Benefit in Treaty to Counter 'Non-Existent Threat'; Thirteen Resolutions Approved, Including Text on Disarmament and DevelopmentThe General Assembly would call upon all States, particularly those with outer space capabilities, to contribute to the peaceful use of outer space and the prevention of an arms race in outer space, according to one of 13 disarmament-related draft resolutions approved this afternoon by the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security).
By further terms of the text, approved by a recorded vote of 98 in favour to none against, with 40 abstentions, the Assembly would reiterate that the Conference on Disarmament has the primary role in negotiating a multilateral agreement on preventing an arms race in outer space. It would ask the Conference to re-establish the ad hoc committee to conclude such an agreement at the beginning of its 1997 session. (See Annex III for details of the vote.)
Prior to approval of the draft as a whole, the representative of the United States, saying that "there could be no benefit to negotiating hypothetical treaties to counter a non-existent threat", requested a recorded vote on preambular paragraph 17 and on operative paragraph 6 of the draft. Preambular paragraph 17, concerning the task of the ad hoc committee in the Conference, was approved by a vote of 85 in favour, to 1 against (United States), with 39 abstentions (Annex I).
Operative paragraph 6 of that draft, which requested re-establishment of the ad hoc committee in the Conference, was approved by a recorded vote of 87 in favour, to 1 against (United States), with 39 abstentions (Annex II).
By several drafts on disarmament machinery approved without a vote, the Assembly would: endorse the guidelines for international arms transfers adopted by the Disarmament Commission at its 1996 session, and reaffirm the Commission's role as the specialized deliberative body within the United Nations disarmament machinery;
-- recommend that the United Nations Disarmament Information Programme focus on informing, educating and generating public understanding and support for multilateral action for arms limitation and disarmament;
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-- urge the Conference on Disarmament to reach a consensus on its agenda and programme of work at the beginning of its 1997 session and review its membership;
-- reaffirm its support for the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa;
-- ask the Secretary-General to continue to implement the United Nations Disarmament Fellowship, Training and Advisory Services;
-- urge the international community to devote resources made available by the implementation of disarmament and arms limitation agreements to economic and social development;
-- and call upon all States of the Mediterranean region to adhere to multilaterally negotiated disarmament instruments, and invite those States to address regional problems and threats, such as terrorism, international crime and illicit arms transfers, and illicit drug production, consumption and trafficking.
By a draft approved by a recorded vote of 106 in favour to 3 against (France, United Kingdom, United States), with 35 abstentions, the Assembly would reiterate the importance of participation in the work of the ad hoc committee on the Indian Ocean by all the permanent members of the Security Council, as well as the major maritime users of the Indian Ocean (Annex IV).
According to a draft approved by a recorded vote of 116 in favour to 4 against (France, Israel, United Kingdom, United States), with 26 abstentions, the Assembly would invite the Conference on Disarmament to include environmental norms in negotiating disarmament agreements (Annex V).
By a draft on the role of science and technology in international security, approved by a recorded vote of 81 in favour to 39 against, with 22 abstentions, the Assembly would urge Member States to negotiate multilaterally to establish guidelines for international transfers of dual-use goods and technologies and high technology with military applications (Annex VI).
According to a second draft on the role of science and technology in disarmament, approved by a recorded vote of 137 in favour to none against with 11 abstentions, the Assembly would invite Member States to enhance bilateral and multilateral dialogue to implement commitments already undertaken under international legal instruments, and to further develop international legal rules on transfers of high technology with military applications (Annex VII).
Statements were also made by Indonesia, Malaysia, Peru, Iran, Mexico, Chile, France, Myanmar, Germany, Benin, India, Ireland, Australia, Colombia, Andorra, China, United Kingdom, Cuba, Algeria, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Pakistan, New Zealand, Israel, Nigeria, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, United Arab Emirates and Zambia.
The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. Friday, 15 November, to continue taking action on disarmament drafts.
Committee Work Programme
The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) meets this afternoon to continue taking action on a series of disarmament drafts. The Committee has before it a draft on prevention of an arms race in outer space, and six drafts on United Nations disarmament machinery.
A draft resolution (A/C.1/51/L.43) on the prevention of an arms race in outer space would have the Assembly reaffirm its recognition that the legal regime applicable to outer space did not by itself guarantee the prevention of an arms race in outer space. The Assembly would call upon all States, particularly those with major space capabilities, to contribute actively to the objective of the peaceful use of outer space and prevention of an arms race in outer space.
The Assembly would reiterate that the Conference on Disarmament has the primary role in negotiation of a multilateral agreement or agreements on the prevention of an arms race in outer space. It would further request the Conference to re-establish the ad hoc committee with a negotiating mandate at the beginning of its 1997 session with a view to negotiations for the conclusion of such an agreement. It would urge States conducting activities in outer space, and States interested in conducting such activities, to keep the Conference on Disarmament informed of the progress of negotiations.
The draft is sponsored by Algeria, Bolivia, China, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka.
A draft resolution (document A/C.1/51/L.5/Rev.1) on the report of the Disarmament Commission would have the Assembly endorse the set of guidelines for international arms transfers adopted by the Commission at its 1996 session. It would reaffirm the Commission's role as the specialized deliberative body within the United Nations disarmament machinery, allowing for in-depth deliberation on disarmament issues, leading to the submission of concrete recommendations on those issues.
The draft resolution would further have the General Assembly encourage the Disarmament Commission to enhance its working methods to enable it to give focused consideration to a limited number of priority disarmament issues, bearing in mind its decision to move its agenda towards a three-item phased approach. Pursuant to that approach, the Assembly would recommend that the Disarmament Commission adopt the following items for consideration at its 1997 session: establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones on the basis of agreements freely arrived at among the States of the region concerned; the fourth special session devoted to disarmament; and [TO BE ADDED]. The Assembly would also request that the Commission meet for a period not exceeding four weeks during 1997.
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The draft is sponsored by Colombia, Finland, Germany, Jordan, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Ukraine and the United Republic of Tanzania.
A draft resolution (document A/C.1/51/L.8) on the United Nations Disarmament Information Programme would have the General Assembly recommend that the Programme focus its efforts on: informing, educating and generating public understanding of and support for multilateral action (including action by the United Nations and the Conference on Disarmament) in the field of arms limitation and disarmament, in particular through the continuing publication in all official languages of The United Nations Disarmament Yearbook and the Disarmament Periodical, as well as updating of the Status of Multilateral Arms Regulation and Disarmament Agreements; and facilitating exchange of information and ideas to help further an informed debate on arms limitation and security.
The draft would have the Assembly invite all Member States to contribute to the Programme's Voluntary Trust Fund, and request the Secretary-General to submit a report at its fifty-third session on implementation by the United Nations of the activities of the Programme during the previous two years and the activities of the Programme contemplated by the system for the next two years.
The draft is sponsored by Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Myanmar, Nicaragua and Pakistan.
By the terms of a draft resolution (document A/C.1/51/L.10) on the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific, the Assembly would reaffirm its support for the continued operation and further strengthening of the Centre as an essential promoter of the regional peace and disarmament dialogue in the Asia-Pacific region, known as the "Kathmandu process". It would appeal to Member States, in particular those within the region, as well as to international governmental and non- governmental organizations and foundations, to make voluntary contributions to strengthen the Centre's programme and its implementation.
The Assembly would request the Secretary-General to provide all necessary support to the Centre in carrying out its programme and report on the implementation of the current resolution at its fifty-second session.
The draft is sponsored by Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka and Viet Nam.
A draft resolution submitted by Poland on the Report of the Conference on Disarmament (document A/C.1/51/L.25) would have the Assembly urge the Conference to make every effort to reach a consensus on its agenda and
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programme of work at the beginning of its 1997 session. The Conference would be encouraged to further review its membership, and further intensify the ongoing review of its agenda and methods of work.
By that text, the Assembly would request the Secretary-General to continue to ensure adequate administrative, substantive and conference support services to the Conference. That body would be requested to submit a report on its work to the Assembly, and would include that report in the provisional agenda of the Assembly's fifty-second session.
A draft resolution (document A/C.1/51/L.26/Rev.1) on the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa would have the Assembly welcome the accession of Djibouti to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), as well as Oman's decision to accede to the Treaty. It would call upon Israel, the only State in the region that was not yet party to the NPT, to accede to that Treaty without further delay, to agree not to develop, produce, test or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons, and to renounce possession of nuclear weapons.
The draft would also have the Assembly call upon Israel to place all unsafeguarded nuclear facilities under full-scope International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards as an important confidence-building measure among all States of the region and as a step towards enhancing peace and security.
The draft is sponsored by Burundi on behalf of the African Group.
A draft resolution on United Nations disarmament fellowship, training and advisory services (document A/C.1/51/L.32) would have the Assembly ask the Secretary-General to continue to implement annually the Geneva-based programme and to report thereon to the Assembly at its fifty-third session. It would reaffirm the decisions contained in Annex IV to the Concluding Document of the Twelfth Special Session of the General Assembly, and the report of the Secretary-General approved by the Assembly in its resolution 33/71 E of 14 December 1978.
The draft resolution was sponsored by Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Myanmar, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, Togo, United Republic of Tanzania and Viet Nam.
The Committee also had before it the following draft resolutions:
A draft resolution (document A/C.1/51/L.12) on the relationship between disarmament and development would have the Assembly urge the international community to devote part of the resources made available by the implementation of disarmament and arms limitation agreements to economic and social development.
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By the terms of the draft, the Assembly would invite all Member States to communicate to the Secretary-General, by 15 April 1997, their views and proposals for implementation of the action programme adopted at the International Conference on the Relationship Between Disarmament and Development. It would request the Secretary-General to continue to take appropriate action for implementation of that programme, and to submit a report at its fifty-second session.
The draft is sponsored by Colombia on behalf of [the States Members that are members of] the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries.
A draft resolution (document A/C.1/51/L.13) on the declaration of the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace would have the General Assembly reiterate its conviction of the importance of participation in the work of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Indian Ocean by all the permanent members of the Security Council, as well as the major maritime users of the Indian Ocean.
The draft would have the Assembly request the Ad Hoc Committee to hold a session of not more than three working days during 1997, and to submit a report on implementation of the present resolution at the fifty-second session of the Assembly.
The draft is sponsored by Colombia on behalf of the Movement of Non- Aligned Countries.
A draft resolution (document A/C.1/51/L.14) on observance of environmental norms in the drafting and implementation of disarmament agreements would have the General Assembly invite the Conference on Disarmament to take every necessary measure to include the relevant environmental norms and provisions in negotiating treaties and agreements on disarmament and arms limitation. It would request the Conference, in negotiating for a convention on the prohibition of radiological weapons, to take into account radioactive wastes as part of the scope of such a convention. It would express grave concern regarding any use of nuclear wastes that would constitute radiological warfare.
By the terms of the draft, the Assembly would urge States parties to comply strictly with the provisions of the Treaty on the Prohibition of the Emplacement of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction on the Seabed and the Ocean Floor and in the Subsoil Thereof. The Assembly would also call upon all States, especially those with major space programmes, to contribute to attaining the goal of using outer space for peaceful purposes and preserving the world's environment.
The Assembly would also: further welcome concrete measures taken by several countries to ensure compliance with the Atlantic Treaty; emphasize the importance of compliance by all States parties to the Chemical Weapons
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Convention; urge States parties to consider all relevant norms related to protection of the environment in implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention; and call upon States to adopt unilateral, bilateral, regional and multilateral measures to contribute to ensuring the application of scientific and technological progress in the disarmament sphere without detriment to the environment.
The draft is sponsored by Colombia on behalf of the Movement of Non- Aligned Countries.
A draft resolution on the role of science and technology (document A/C.1/L.20/Rev.1) would have the Assembly urge Member States to undertake multilateral negotiations aimed at establishing guidelines for international transfers of dual-use goods and technologies and high technology with military applications, taking into account legitimate defence requirements and the value of technological know-how for peaceful purposes. Member States would be invited to apply science and technology for disarmament-related purposes, and to make those technologies available to interested States.
The draft resolution is sponsored by Bhutan, Costa Rica, Cuba, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Lesotho, Libya, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria and Sri Lanka.
By a 25-nation draft resolution on the role of science and technology in the context of international security, disarmament and other related fields (document A/C.1/51/L.34) the Assembly would invite Member States to enhance bilateral and multilateral dialogue with a view to ensuring implementation of commitments already undertaken under international legal instruments, and to exploring ways and means of further developing international legal rules on transfers of high technology with military applications. It would decide to include the item in its fifty-third session.
The draft is sponsored by Austria, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Kazakstan, Lithuania, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Poland, Republic of Moldova, Romania, South Africa and Sweden.
By a 32-nation draft resolution on strengthening security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region (document A/C.1/51/L.33) the Assembly would call upon all States of the region to adhere to all the multilaterally negotiated legal disarmament instruments, and would invite those States to address regional problems and threats -- such as terrorism, international crime and illicit arms transfers, as well as illicit drug production, consumption and trafficking -- which jeopardize friendly relations and hinder the development of international cooperation.
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By further terms of the text, the Assembly would encourage the States of the region to participate in the United Nations system for the standardized reporting of military expenditures, and strengthen their cooperation in combating terrorism. Widespread support for the convening of a conference on security and cooperation in the region would also be encouraged. The Secretary-General would be requested to submit a report on means to strengthen security and cooperation in the region.
The draft is sponsored by Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Luxembourg, Malta, Mauritania, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Action on Texts
The representative of the United States, speaking before the vote on the draft on an arms race in outer space, said the United States would abstain for several reasons. The most important was the request in the text for the Conference on Disarmament to re-establish an ad hoc committee to negotiate agreements to prevent an arms race in outer space.
There was no arms race in outer space, he said. That success story was directly attributable to existing legal agreements. Consequently, the negotiation of additional agreements was simply not required. Therefore, he would call for separate votes on those paragraphs on the hypothetical arms race, and vote against them.
Furthermore, the Conference on Disarmament showed good judgement in not re-establishing an ad hoc committee for such negotiations, he said. If there was a need for such negotiations, he would keep the Conference appropriately informed. The fretting about the "weaponization" of outer space had no basis in reality. An American astronaut recently set an outer space endurance record, and she did so in a Russian spacecraft. The draft was mired in the cold war past. There could be no benefit to negotiating hypothetical treaties to counter a non-existent threat.
In a separate recorded vote, preambular paragraph 17 of that draft, concerning the task of the ad hoc committee in the Conference on Disarmament was approved by a recorded vote of 85 in favour, to 1 against (United States), with 39 abstentions. (For details of the vote see Annex I.)
Operative paragraph 6 of that draft, which concerns the re-establishment of the ad hoc Committee, was approved by 87 in favour to 1 against (United States), with 39 abstentions (Annex II).
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The draft on the arms race in outer space was approved by a vote of 98 in favour to none against, with 40 abstentions (Annex III).
The representative of Indonesia, speaking on the draft on the Regional Centre for Asia, said that the importance of regional seminars and workshops on disarmament could not be overemphasized. The regional approach had been effective. The hope was that through that approach, important steps could be taken on the road to arms control and disarmament. The importance of the Regional Centre at Kathmandu, and of the so-called "Kathmandu process", was self-evident. Its primary task was to inform and stimulate the States involved. Indonesia, therefore, called on the Committee to support the continuation of the Centre's activities.
The representative of Malaysia, speaking on the Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific, said he hoped the draft would once again be adopted by consensus. The existence of the Centre following the end of the cold war had become even more vital and relevant than before. He hoped the Centre would continue and expand its activities, and Malaysia would contribute to that process.
The representative of Peru said that this year his country was not presenting a draft on the Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Latin America, since it had been decided that the Lima Centre would henceforth carry on on the basis of voluntary contributions. However, the Centre had now reached a level of fiscal asphyxiation. He had made repeated requests for financial assistance, but had received no response to his queries. He now repeated his request. His delegation would struggle to ensure that the Lima Centre held on to its premises and continued its valuable activities.
The representative of Iran said that he had intended to vote in favour of preambular paragraph 17 in the vote on the draft on preventing an arms race in outer space.
Following a query from the representative of Mexico about a missing item in operative paragraph 9 of the draft resolution on the Report of the Disarmament Commission, the Chairman told the Committee that the section left blank in the operative paragraph -- which referred to one of the three items proposed for consideration by the Commission at its 1997 session -- would be added, as in previous years, after the December 1996 meeting of the Disarmament Commission.
The representative of Chile suggested that the text should include the text appearing now in the footnote -- that the Disarmament Commission would identify the third item in due course, as had been the case with the draft in previous years.
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The draft on the report of the Disarmament Commission was approved without a vote.
Speaking after the vote, the representative of the United States said that the point about the missing data in the draft resolution should have been pursued. The United States had concerns about operative paragraph 9 of the draft concerning the agenda of the Commission. It suggested that decisions had already been reached by the Disarmament Commission about its agenda. The United States would have preferred a draft that left the question of agenda aside, leaving the issue, as was traditional, with the Commission. Operative paragraph 9 was simply not needed. He pointed to the unique nature of the paragraph. He hoped that it and the draft in its entirety did not represent a precedent. He understood that the item was part of a package, but if the third item turned out to be on conventional arms, then the agenda would be wide open to question.
The representative of France associated himself with the remarks of the representative of the United States.
The representative of Myanmar said he had intended to vote in favour of the contentious paragraphs in the draft resolution on an arms race in outer space.
The representative of Germany said that the Committee had always proceeded on the Disarmament Commission as had been done this year. There was general agreement that the third item would be an item on conventional weapons. It was simply that there was no agreement on specifics. He saw no objection to the Commission's organizational meeting in December reaching that decision.
The representative of Benin, speaking in explanation of position before the vote on the draft on the United Nations Disarmament Information Programme, drew attention to discrepancies between the French and English versions. He would request more care in the translations.
The CHAIRMAN said the draft referred to the fifty-third session.
The draft on the United Nations Disarmament Information Programme was approved without a vote.
The draft on the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific was approved without a vote.
The representative of India, speaking in explanation of position before the vote on the draft on the report of the Conference on Disarmament, said a revision reflecting a very important question had not been issued.
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The Committee Secretary then announced deletion of the fourth preambular paragraph, which concerns the draft comprehensive nuclear-test-ban treaty.
That draft on the report of the Conference on Disarmament was approved without a vote.
The draft on the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa was approved without a vote.
The draft on the United Nations Disarmament Fellowship, Training and Advisory Services was approved without a vote.
The representative of the United States said that he would not be participating in the vote on the draft on the relationship between disarmament and development. He would explain his reasons in due course.
The Committee approved the draft on the relationship between disarmament and development, sponsored by Colombia on behalf of the Movement of Non- Aligned Countries, without a vote.
Speaking after the vote, the representative of the United States noted that his country had not participated in the consensus. The United States believed that disarmament and development were two distinct issues that did not warrant linkage. It did not and would not consider itself bound by the declarations in the final document of the 1987 conference on that issue.
The representative of Ireland, speaking also on behalf of the European Union, said those States had once again joined the consensus on the draft. However, he cautioned that there was no direct link between the European Union's commitment to development, and development cooperation, and savings arising from disarmament moves by the members of the European Union.
The Committee approved the draft on the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace by a recorded vote of 106 in favour to 3 against (France, United Kingdom, United States), with 35 abstentions (Annex IV).
Statements after vote
Speaking after the vote, the representative of the United States said that, as in previous years, his country had been compelled to vote against the draft. It failed to recognize navigational rights and freedoms protected under international law, overflight rights, transit rights and freedom of navigation on the high seas. He remained deeply concerned by the continuing financial burden on the United Nations levied by the existence of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Indian Ocean. The United Nations could no longer afford to support bodies that served no purpose whatsoever. The States of the region should recognize that financial responsibility demanded that regional security
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be addressed in the appropriate forums, and not at the expense of the United Nations.
The representative of Australia said that her country had voted in favour of the draft, but was concerned that the Ad Hoc Committee had been unable to make alternative proposals for developing mechanisms designed to enhance security in the Indian Ocean.
The representative of Colombia, speaking before action on the draft on environmental norms in disarmament and arms control agreements, asked which delegation had requested a recorded vote.
The Chairman said that the United States had requested a recorded vote.
The representative of the United States asked if disclosing that information was routine procedure in the Committee.
The Chairman said that that was the procedure.
The draft on environmental norms in disarmament and arms control agreements was approved by a recorded vote of 116 in favour to 4 against (France, Israel, United Kingdom, United States), with 26 abstentions. (See Annex V.)
Speaking after the vote, the representative of the United States said he would let the other 29 members who also wanted a recorded vote speak for themselves. He still did not understand the purpose of the draft just approved. Drawing up vague environmental norms could potentially divert attention from the productive work in regional arms control and disarmament agreements. Calling on the parties to the Biological Weapons Convention, for example, to consider "the necessity of ensuring the preservation of the environment" was unhelpful and unwelcome in those negotiations.
No one opposed protection of the environment, he said. The United States required environmental impact statements in a number of disarmament measures. Last year, certain disarmament and arms control agreements were singled out -- and out of context in the draft on the subject. Unfortunately, the laundry list in the current draft was longer and more objectionable. It functioned as a cookbook of sorts, now including recipes for such activities as technology transfer, sustainable development and the peaceful use of outer space.
The representative of Andorra said that his delegation had intended to abstain from the vote on the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace.
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The Committee approved a first draft on the role of science and technology in the context of international security and disarmament by a recorded vote of 81 in favour to 39 against, with 22 abstentions (Annex VI).
Speaking after the vote, the representative of China said he had voted in favour of that draft, which his country had always supported. It supported the promotion of international cooperation in science and technology for its beneficial effects on economic development, particularly for developing countries. However, he believed that regimes for the transfer of dual-use technology should be set up under the auspices of the international community. He was concerned about the potential negative impact of such transfers in the case of weapons of mass destruction.
Continuing, he noted that the improvement or upgrading of biological and chemical weapons was now not feasible, thanks to the adoption of treaties on those weapons. The recent signing of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty meant that the upgrading of nuclear arms had also severely restricted that category of weapons. China was equally concerned about the use of science and technology in the development of outer space weaponry.
Speaking before the vote on a similar draft resolution, the representative of India said that the Committee had just approved a resolution with exactly the same title as the one now confronting the Committee, but the approach of the second draft text was almost diametrically opposed to the first. While she recognized the need to enhance multilateral dialogue on the role of science and technology in disarmament, she was concerned that the language of the present draft suggested control regimes that virtually amounted to trade barriers. She could not support the draft.
The representative of Iran said that he subscribed fully to the remarks made by the representative of India. Iran continued to maintain that transfer of high technology should be controlled by multilateral non-discriminatory instruments, not by ad hoc arrangements.
The Committee approved the second draft on the role of science and technology in the context of international security, disarmament and other related fields by a recorded vote of 137 in favour to none against, with 11 abstentions (Annex VII).
The representative of the United Kingdom said he had voted in favour of the draft just adopted. However, he was disappointed that the international community had been unable to agree on guidelines on the issue, due to the refusal of an ever-dwindling number of delegations to take account of recent multilateral agreements. The draft just adopted took those agreements into account. Many countries had installed and were implementing controls on the transfer of dual-use goods. Only countries with something to hide needed to fear export controls. The current draft should help advance dialogue and
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cooperation on the issue of the transfer of dual-use technology, but decisions on the export of defence-related equipment must remain the province of national governments.
The representative of Cuba said he had voted in favour of the draft, reflecting his delegation's sincere desire to join consensus on the issue, in the hope that the Committee would eventually agree on a single draft. The current draft was far from perfect. But the ideas it contained could be useful on the road to a multilateral negotiating process, embracing all States, that would govern the transfer of dual-use technologies.
The representative of Algeria said he had voted in favour of the draft, as his country had done in previous years. He hoped that the sponsors of the two drafts would eventually be able to combine them in a single draft.
The representative of The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, introduced the draft resolution on the prevention of the violent disintegration of States (document A/C.1/51/42/Rev.1). The revised draft included an operative paragraph which states, "affirms also the need for strict compliance with the principle of the territorial integrity of any State."
The draft pointed to one of the basic ways the Organization might maintain future security, he said. Preventive measures needed to be undertaken continuously against all forces of war and the violent disintegration of States. Preventive diplomacy in security and disarmament would have much higher priority. Present and future circumstances were more than enough reason to undertake such preventive measures, as the text proposed.
He said that the most important aspect of the text was the request that all States respect and promote all obligations under the Charter of the United Nations, and promote international cooperation in accordance with the Charter.
The representative of Mexico said that after careful study of the draft, he understood its good intentions and the significant problem it sought to address. However, the draft referred to certain regional organizations that did not have jurisdiction in the global areas in which action was being requested. It seemed the text suffered from imbalance, by stressing the principle of the territorial integrity of every State, while overlooking the principle of the self-determination of peoples. If a recorded vote was taken on the draft, he would therefore abstain.
The representative of China said all countries should abide by the United Nations Charter, as well to other basic norms of international relations. Dispute and differences should be settled peaceably. The use of force should be opposed, as should interference in the internal affairs of countries.
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While the motivation for the draft was sensible, China opposed disintegration of States by any means -- whether by violent means or non- violent ones. The draft only mentioned the violent disintegration of States, language which was partial and unhelpful. Although he favoured friendly relations among nations, and human rights measures, those were the domain of other committees. The First Committee was not mandated to discuss the question of human rights. If the draft were put to a vote, his delegation would abstain.
The representative of Pakistan commended efforts made for consensus. He supported the draft's spirit and objectives. However, the draft's shortcomings precluded his support. The principle of the territorial integrity of States had always been balanced by reference to the principle of self-determination of peoples, he said. He would have been pleased if the co- sponsors had reaffirmed that principle, and referred in that regard to the carefully negotiated declaration of friendly relations among States.
He was concerned that the reference at the end of preambular paragraph 4 to human rights and freedoms could be misconstrued and result in promoting interference in the internal affairs of sovereign States. That reference should have been excluded or formulated so as to ensure that such provisions could not be misinterpreted or misused in the future. He would abstain on the vote.
The representative of New Zealand said he did not have final instructions on two of the drafts currently under discussion. He requested that action on those drafts be deferred.
The Committee then approved the draft on strengthening security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region without a vote.
The representative of Israel, speaking after action on the draft, said he had joined consensus, but all regional security matters pertaining to the Middle East were subject to regional peace negotiations. Preambular paragraph 7 of the draft, which concerns developments in the Middle East peace process, did not take that into account.
The representative of Iran said that his delegation supported the basic thrust of the draft. However, it had reservations on preambular paragraph 7 on the Middle East peace process.
The representative of Nigeria said that she had intended to vote in favour of the draft on the arms race in outer space, and in favour of the two paragraphs put to separate vote.
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The representative of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea said he would have voted in favour of the draft on an arms race in outer space, as well as on the paragraphs put to a separate vote.
The representative of the United Arab Emirates said if he had been present during the vote, he would have voted in favour of the separate paragraphs the draft on an arms race in outer space.
The representative of Zambia said he would have voted in favour of the draft on the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace.
(annexes follow)
First Committee - 16 - Press Release GA/DIS/3073 23rd Meeting (PM) 14 November 1996
First Committee Press Release GA/DIS/3073 23rd Meeting (PM) 14 November 1996
ANNEX I
Vote on Prevention of Arms Race in Outer Space - Preambular Paragraph 17
Preambular paragraph 17 of the draft resolution on prevention of an arms race in outer space, which concerns the task of the Ad Hoc Committee in the Conference on Disarmament (document A/C.1/51/L.43) was approved by a recorded vote of 85 in favour to 1 against, with 39 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Against: United States.
Abstaining: Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kyrgyz Republic, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, United Kingdom.
Absent: Albania, Angola, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bhutan, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Comoros, Costa Rica, Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Gabon, Gambia, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Honduras, Iran, Jamaica, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Monaco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Palau, Poland, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates,
17
Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Zaire.
(END OF ANNEX I)
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First Committee Press Release GA/DIS/3073 23rd Meeting (PM) 14 November 1996
ANNEX II
Vote on Prevention of Arms Race in Outer Space -- Operative Paragraph 6
Operative paragraph 6 of the draft resolution on prevention of an arms race in outer space, which concerns re-establishment of the Ad Hoc Committee in the Conference on Disarmament (document A/C.1/51/L.43) was approved by a recorded vote of 87 in favour to 1 against, with 39 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Against: United States.
Abstaining: Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, United Kingdom.
Absent: Albania, Angola, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cape Verde, Comoros, Costa Rica, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia,Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Iran, Jamaica, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Monaco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, Palau, Qatar, Republic of Moldova, Rwanda, Saint Kitts
19
and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Zaire.
(END OF ANNEX II)
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First Committee Press Release GA/DIS/3073 23rd Meeting (PM) 14 November 1996
ANNEX III
Vote on Prevention of Arms Race in Outer Space
The draft resolution on prevention of an arms race in outer space (document A/C.1/51/L.46) was approved by a recorded vote of 98 in favour to none against, with 40 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Antigua-Barbuda, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Against: None.
Abstaining: Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kyrgyz Republic, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States.
Absent: Albania, Angola, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cape Verde, Comoros, Costa Rica, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Gambia, Grenada, Guinea, Honduras, Jamaica, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Monaco, Myanmar, Nigeria, Palau, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Uzbekistan,
21
Vanuatu, Zaire.
(END OF ANNEX III)
22
First Committee Press Release GA/DIS/3073 23rd Meeting (PM) 14 November 1996
ANNEX IV
Vote on Indian Ocean
The draft resolution on the Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace (document A/C.1/51/L.13) was approved by a recorded vote of 106 in favour to 3 against, with 35 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua-Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, 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, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zimbabwe.
Against: France, United Kingdom, United States.
Abstaining: Albania, Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey.
Absent: Andorra, Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Gambia, Georgia, Grenada, Honduras, Jordan, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Monaco, Palau, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Zaire, Zambia.
23
(END OF ANNEX IV)
24
First Committee Press Release GA/DIS/3073 23rd Meeting (PM) 14 November 1996
ANNEX V
Vote on Environmental Norms
The draft resolution on the observance of environmental norms in drafting and implementation of agreements on disarmament and arms control (document A/C.1/51/L.14) was approved by a recorded vote of 116 in favour to 4 against, with 26 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Jamaica, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Against: France, Israel, United Kingdom, United States.
Abstaining: Albania, Andorra, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey .
Absent: Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Gambia, Grenada, Honduras, Jordan, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Monaco, Palau, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal,
25
Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Zaire.
(END OF ANNEX V)
26
First Committee Press Release GA/DIS/3073 23rd Meeting (PM) 14 November 1996
ANNEX VI
Vote on Role of Science in International Security
The draft resolution on the role of science and technology in the context of international security and disarmament (document A/C.1/51/L.20) was approved by a recorded vote of 81 in favour to 39 against, with 22 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chad, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Against: Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States.
Abstaining: Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Canada, Chile, Georgia, Japan, Kazakstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Latvia, Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Samoa, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Ukraine, Uruguay.
Absent: Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cape Verde, Comoros, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Gambia, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras,
Jordan, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Palau, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Zaire.
(END OF ANNEX VI)
First Committee Press Release GA/DIS/3073 23rd Meeting (PM) 14 November 1996
ANNEX VII
Vote on Role of Science in International Security and Other Related Fields
The draft resolution on the role of science and technology in the context of international security, disarmament and other related fields (document A/C.1/51/L.34) was approved by a recorded vote of 137 in favour to none against, with 11 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Against: None.
Abstaining: Burkina Faso, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Gabon, India, Iran, Japan, Namibia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Uganda, United States.
Absent: Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Federated States of Micronesia, Gambia, Grenada, Honduras, Jordan, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Zaire.
* *** *