GA/DIS/3095

MULTILATERAL NEGOTIATIONS FOR NUCLEAR-WEAPON ELIMINATION CALLED FOR IN FIRST COMMITTEE DRAFT RESOLUTION

10 November 1997


Press Release
GA/DIS/3095


MULTILATERAL NEGOTIATIONS FOR NUCLEAR-WEAPON ELIMINATION CALLED FOR IN FIRST COMMITTEE DRAFT RESOLUTION

19971110 Committee Approves 13 Texts concerning, among Others, Disarmament Negotiations, Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones, Biological Weapons

The General Assembly would once again call upon all States to commence multilateral negotiations in 1998 leading to an early conclusion of a nuclear weapons convention prohibiting the development, production, testing, deployment, stockpiling, transfer, threat or use of nuclear weapons and providing for their elimination, according to a draft resolution approved this afternoon by the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security).

One of 13 draft resolutions and decisions approved today concerning nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, the text would also have the Assembly underline once again the unanimous conclusion of the International Court of Justice that there existed an obligation to pursue in good faith and bring to a conclusion negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament under strict and effective international control. The draft was approved by a recorded vote of 103 in favour to 26 against, with 24 abstentions. (For details of the vote, see Annex VIII.)

Prior to approval of the draft, the Committee held three separate votes. By the first, it approved preambular paragraph 10, which emphasized need for the Conference on Disarmament to commence negotiations on a phased programme for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons within a specified time frame. The vote was 99 in favour to 34 against, with 17 abstentions (Annex V).

It approved the first operative paragraph, underlining the Court's unanimous conclusion, by a recorded vote of 139 in favour to 5 against (France, Israel, Monaco, Russian Federation, United States), with 9 abstentions (Bulgaria, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Togo, Turkey, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan) (Annex VI).

By a recorded vote of 96 in favour to 34 against, with 23 abstentions, the Committee also approved operative paragraph 2 calling once again upon all States to immediately fulfil their obligation by commencing multilateral negotiations in 1998 (Annex VII).

First Committee - 1a - Press Release GA/DIS/3095 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1997

Under the terms of another draft approved today, the Assembly would reiterate its request to the Conference on Disarmament to commence negotiations on an international convention to prohibit the use or threatened use of nuclear weapons under any circumstances. The text was approved by a recorded vote of 95 in favour to 30 against, with 28 abstentions (Annex II).

A third nuclear disarmament text approved today would have the Assembly urge the nuclear-weapon States to stop immediately the qualitative improvement, development, production and stockpiling of nuclear warheads and their delivery systems. The text was approved by a recorded vote of 97 in favour to 39 against, with 17 abstentions (Annex III).

The Assembly would urge the Russian Federation and the United States to commence negotiations on a third agreement immediately after the Treaty on Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms enters into force, by the terms of a draft resolution on bilateral nuclear arms negotiations and nuclear disarmament. The text was approved by a recorded vote of 147 in favour to none against, with 8 abstentions (Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Iran, Lebanon, Libya, Syria, United Republic of Tanzania) (Annex IV).

By another nuclear-related text, the Assembly would reaffirm the urgent need to reach an early agreement on assurances to non-nuclear-weapon States against the threat or use of nuclear weapons. The text was approved by a recorded vote of 107 in favour to none against, with 48 abstentions (Annex X).

The Committee also approved five draft resolutions concerning nuclear- weapon-free zones. One text would have the Assembly urge once again the States of South Asia to continue to make all possible efforts to establish a nuclear-weapon-free zone there. The text was approved by 139 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 IX).

By four other nuclear-weapon-free zone texts, approved by the Committee without a vote, the Assembly would:

-- Urge all parties directly concerned to consider seriously taking the practical and urgent steps required for the establishment of nuclear-weapon- free zone in the region of the Middle East;

-- Call upon all countries to support the establishment of a nuclear- weapon-free zone in Central Asia;

-- Urge ratification of the amendments to the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin American and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco) in order to consolidate the Treaty's regime; and

First Committee - 1b- Press Release GA/DIS/3095 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1997

-- Call upon African States to sign and ratify the African Nuclear- Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba) as soon as possible.

Turning to other weapons of mass destruction, the Committee, acting without a vote, approved draft resolutions, by which the Assembly would:

-- Call upon all States to take measures aimed at preventing any dumping of nuclear or radioactive wastes that would infringe upon the sovereignty of States; and

-- Call upon all signatory States to ratify without delay the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction.

The Committee also approved a draft decision by which the Assembly would decide to include an item on the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty in the provisional agenda of its fifty-third session.

Statements were made by the representatives of Algeria, Argentina, Bahamas, Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Egypt, Gabon, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Syria, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia, United Kingdom, United States and Uzbekistan.

The First Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. Tuesday, 11 November, to continue taking action on disarmament drafts.

Committee Work Programme

The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) met this afternoon to hear the introduction of six additional disarmament draft resolutions, and to begin taking action on the draft resolutions and decisions concerning nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.

The Committee had before it 14 nuclear weapon-related texts, including those concerning a convention prohibiting the use of nuclear weapons; a phased programme of nuclear disarmament within a time-bound framework; nuclear disarmament with a view to the elimination of nuclear weapons; and bilateral nuclear arms negotiations.

Six of the texts concern nuclear-weapon-free zones, including the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones in the Middle East, South Asia, Central Asia, and in the southern hemisphere and adjacent areas; the entry into force of the Pelindaba Treaty; and the consolidation of the regime established by the 1967 Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco).

Other nuclear weapon-related texts concern the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legality of the threat or use of nuclear weapons; the risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East; effective assurances to non-nuclear weapon States against the nuclear-weapon threat; and a draft decision on the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.

It also had before it three texts concerning other weapons of mass destruction: the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction (Biological Weapons Convention); the prohibition of the dumping of radioactive wastes, and the status of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction.

Introductions were expected on the following:

A text sponsored by Egypt on transparency in armaments (document A/C.1/52/L.2) would have the Assembly reaffirm its conviction of the interrelationship between transparency in the fields of conventional weapons and weapons of mass destruction and transfers of high technology with military applications. It would ask the Secretary-General to seek the views of Member States on ways to enhance such transparency, with a view to enhancing transparency in the field of conventional weapons, and to include in his report to the Assembly at its fifty-third session a special section on the resolution's implementation.

First Committee - 3 - Press Release GA/DIS/3095 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1997

A text on the role of the United Nations in disarmament (document A/C.1/52/L.42) would have the Assembly reiterate that nuclear disarmament has the highest priority in efforts to advance disarmament universally. It would underline the necessity to promote disarmament and regulate armaments on the basis of negotiations reflecting the security interests of all States, and it would reiterate that the adoption and implementation of disarmament measures should take place in an equitable and balanced manner.

The Assembly would reaffirm its support for the United Nations machinery on disarmament and it would reaffirm that the Conference on Disarmament was the sole multilateral negotiating body on disarmament. It would affirm its support for the objectives of nuclear and conventional disarmament, as set out at the first special session devoted to disarmament, and it would also affirm that the implementation of international disarmament treaties and questions of compliance should be carried out in accordance with the provisions of those treaties.

The draft resolution is sponsored by India, Iran, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan.

The Committee was expected to introduce and take action on the following draft resolutions:

A text on the risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East (document A/C.1/52/L.5/Rev.1), sponsored by Egypt on behalf of the League of Arab States, would have the Assembly call upon the only State in the region not yet party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), to accede to the Treaty without further delay, and not to develop, produce, test or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons and to renounce possession of nuclear weapons.

It would also call upon that State not to develop, produce, test or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons and to renounce possession of such weapons, and to place all its non-safeguarded nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards. It would further ask the Secretary- General to bring the provisions of the resolution to the particular attention of Israel.

Further terms of the text would ask the Secretary-General to report to the Assembly at its fifty-third session on the implementation of the resolution.

A draft on the consolidation of the regime established by the Treaty of Tlatelolco (document A/C.1/52/L.17) would have the Assembly urge ratification of the Treaty's amendments approved by the General Conference of the Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Assembly would welcome the concrete steps by some countries of the region

First Committee - 4 - Press Release GA/DIS/3095 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1997

the past year to consolidate the regime of military denuclearization established by the Treaty. It would also note with satisfaction the full adherence of Saint Kitts and Nevis to the Treaty.

The draft resolution is sponsored by Argentina, 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, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay and Venezuela.

On the Biological Weapons Convention (document A/C.1/52/L.24), a text would have the Assembly call upon all signatory States that have not yet ratified the Convention to do so without delay. It would also call upon States that have not signed the Convention to become parties at an early date, thus contributing to the Convention's universal adherence.

The Assembly would reiterate its call upon all States parties to the Convention to participate in the exchange of information and data as agreed in the Final Declaration of the Third Review Conference of the Parties to the Convention. It would welcome progress made by the Ad Hoc Group of Governmental Experts towards fulfilling the mandate established by the States Parties to the Convention, which included possible verification measures in a legally binding instrument. It would urge the Ad Hoc Group to intensify its work with a view to completing it as soon as possible.

The draft resolution is sponsored by Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Iran, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, Monaco, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom and the United States of America.

A text on the establishment of a nuclear-weapon free zone in Central Asia (document A/C.1/52/L.44/Rev.1) would have the Assembly call upon all countries to support the initiative for such a zone. It would ask the Secretary-General to provide assistance to the Central Asian countries in the preparation of the form and elements of an agreement establishing such a zone.

The draft resolution is sponsored by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

First Committee - 5 - Press Release GA/DIS/3095 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1997

The Committee is also expected to take action on the following drafts previously introduced and contained in its clusters on nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction:

A text sponsored by Egypt on the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free- zone in region of the Middle East (document A/C.1/52/L.4) would have the General Assembly urge all parties directly concerned to consider seriously taking the practical and urgent steps required for the establishment of such a zone, and as a means of promoting that objective, it would invite concerned countries to adhere to the NPT.

The Assembly would call upon all countries of the region to place their nuclear activities under IAEA safeguards. It would invite the countries of the region not to develop, produce, test or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons, or to allow the stationing of such weapons on their territories. Noting the importance of the ongoing bilateral Middle East peace negotiations in promoting the establishment of such a zone, the Assembly would invite all States to assist in the establishment of the zone and to refrain from action that would run counter to both the letter and the spirit of the resolution.

By amendments to that draft submitted by Israel (document A/C.1/52/L.49), operative paragraph 4 would be replaced with the following:

"Notes the importance of the ongoing bilateral Middle East peace negotiations and the activities of the multilateral Working Group on Arms Control and Regional Security in promoting mutual confidence and security in the Middle East, including the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone."

[Operative paragraph 4 in the original text, submitted by Egypt, reads as follows:

"Notes the importance of the ongoing bilateral Middle East peace negotiations and the multilateral Working Group on Arms Control and Regional Security in promoting mutual confidence and security in the Middle East, including the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone."

A draft decision on the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (document A/C.1/52/L.7), sponsored by Australia, would have the Assembly decide to include the item in the provisional agenda of its fifty-third session.

A draft resolution on a convention to prohibit the use of nuclear weapons (document A/C.1/52/L.15) would have the Assembly reiterate its request to the Conference on Disarmament to commence 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 the text, a draft convention annexed to the draft resolution. The Assembly would request the

First Committee - 6 - Press Release GA/DIS/3095 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1997

Conference to report to the General Assembly on the results of those negotiations.

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

On the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba) (document A.C.1/52/L.26), a text would have the Assembly call upon African States to sign and ratify the Treaty as soon as possible, so it can enter into force without delay. It would also call upon the States contemplated in Protocol III to take all necessary measures to ensure the Treaty's speedy application to territories for which they were internationally responsible or which lie within the limits of the geographical zone established in the Treaty.

Further terms of the text would have the Assembly call upon the African States parties to the NPT that had not yet concluded comprehensive safeguards agreements with the IAEA to do so, thereby satisfying the requirements of the Pelindaba Treaty.

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

A draft resolution on nuclear disarmament and the elimination of nuclear weapons (document A/C.1/52/L.28/Rev.1) would have the Assembly urge States not parties to the NPT to accede to it at the earliest possible date. It 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.

The Assembly would call upon all States parties to the NPT to work for the success of the next Review Conference to be held in the year 2000. It would also call upon all States to fully implement their commitments in the field of disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Further terms would have the Assembly welcome the ongoing efforts to dismantle nuclear weapons and note the importance of the safe and effective management of the resultant fissile materials.

The draft resolution is sponsored Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Spain and Sweden.

First Committee - 7 - Press Release GA/DIS/3095 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1997

Amendments to that draft text have been submitted by Pakistan (A/C.1/52/L.48). By their terms, the following paragraph would be inserted after the second preambular paragraph:

"Recognizing that in the light of the fundamental changes in the international situation, it is all the more imperative for nuclear-weapon States and military alliances to renounce the policy of nuclear deterrence and to agree to the prohibition of nuclear weapons and their progressive dismantling and elimination."

After the tenth preambular paragraph, the draft would include two new paragraphs:

"Concerned at statements by some nuclear-weapon States that they will continue to regain nuclear weapons indefinitely,

"Gravely concerned about recent developments that have increased the danger of the use of nuclear weapons, including against non-nuclear-weapon States."

A new operative paragraph 1 would read:

"Reiterates its call upon the nuclear-weapon States to undertake a step- by-step reduction of the nuclear threat and a phased programme of progressive and balanced deep reductions of nuclear weapons, and to carry out effective nuclear disarmament measures with a view to the total elimination of those weapons within a time-bound framework."

A further amendment would renumber existing operative paragraph 1 as paragraph 2 and add the following at the end of the paragraph:

", and full implementation of its provisions, specially article VI, by the nuclear-weapon States".

A final amendment would delete operative paragraph 2.

By a draft text on nuclear disarmament (document A/C.1/52/L.29), 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 urge the Conference on Disarmament to take into account the proposal made by twenty-eight delegations for a programme of action for the elimination of nuclear weapons, as well as the mandate for the ad hoc committee on nuclear disarmament, proposed by twenty-six delegations.

The Assembly would reiterate its call on the nuclear-weapon States to undertake the step-by-step reduction of the nuclear threat and a phased

First Committee - 8 - Press Release GA/DIS/3095 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1997

programme of progressive and balanced deep reductions of nuclear weapons, and to carry out effective nuclear disarmament measures with a view to the total elimination of those weapons within a time-bound framework.

By further terms of the text, the Assembly would reiterate its call upon the Conference on Disarmament to establish, on a priority basis, an ad hoc committee on nuclear disarmament to commence negotiations early in 1998 on a phased programme of nuclear disarmament and for the eventual elimination of those weapons within a time-bound framework through a nuclear weapons convention.

The draft resolution is sponsored by Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Burundi, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Ghana, Guinea, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of the Congo, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Thailand, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Viet Nam and Zimbabwe.

By a text on bilateral nuclear arms negotiations and nuclear disarmament (document A/C.1/52/L.32/Rev.1), the Assembly would urge the Russian Federation and the United States to commence negotiations on a third agreement immediately after the Treaty on Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms enters into force.

The Assembly would encourage the United States, Belarus, Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation and Ukraine to continue their efforts aimed at eliminating nuclear weapons and strategic offensive arms on the basis of existing agreements. It would also encourage and support efforts by the Russian Federation and the United States to reduce their nuclear weapons and to continue to give those efforts the highest priority in order to contribute to the ultimate goal of eliminating them.

The draft resolution is sponsored by Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ukraine, United Kingdom and the United States.

A draft text on the nuclear-weapon-free southern hemisphere and adjacent areas (document A/C.1/52/L.35) would have the Assembly call for the ratification of the Treaties of Tlatelolco, Rarotonga, Bangkok and Pelindaba by all regional States, and call upon all concerned States to facilitate adherence to the protocols to such treaties by all relevant States that have not done so. It would also call upon the States parties and signatories to

First Committee - 9 - Press Release GA/DIS/3095 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1997

those treaties to implement further ways to cooperate in the promotion of the nuclear-weapon-free status of the southern hemisphere.

The Assembly would also stress the role of such zones in strengthening the nuclear non-proliferation regime and in extending the areas of the world that are nuclear-weapon-free, with particular reference to the responsibilities of the nuclear-weapon States in that regard.

The draft resolution is sponsored by Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of) Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sudan, Suriname, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.

[The treaties cited above are the following: Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco); the South Pacific Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Rarotonga); the South-East Asia Nuclear-Weapon Free Zone Treaty (Bangkok Treaty); and the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Pelindaba Treaty).]

A draft text concerning the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legality of nuclear weapons (document A/C.1/52/L.37) would have the Assembly underline once again the unanimous conclusion of the Court that there existed an obligation to pursue in good faith and bring to a conclusion negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament under strict and effective international control.

The Assembly would once again call upon all States to fulfil that obligation immediately by commencing multilateral negotiations in 1998 leading to an early conclusion of a nuclear-weapons convention prohibiting the development, production, testing, deployment, stockpiling, transfer, threat or use of nuclear weapons and providing for their elimination.

The draft resolution is sponsored by Algeria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burundi, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, Ghana, Guyana, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Kenya, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Samoa, San Marino, Singapore, Solomon Islands,

First Committee - 10 - Press Release GA/DIS/3095 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1997

Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Thailand, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Viet Nam and Zimbabwe.

On the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in South Asia (document A./C.1/52/L.38), a text sponsored by Bangladesh and Pakistan would have the Assembly urge once again the States of South Asia to continue to make all possible efforts to establish such a zone and to refrain, in the meantime, from any action contrary to that objective. It would also welcome the support of all the five nuclear-weapon States to the proposal, and call upon them to extend the necessary cooperation in such efforts.

The Assembly would also ask the Secretary-General to ascertain the views of regional and other concerned States on the issue and to explore the best possibilities of furthering those efforts.

A draft resolution on assurances to non-nuclear weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons (document A/C.1/52/L.41) would have the Assembly reaffirm the urgent need to reach an early agreement on effective international arrangements on such assurances. It would appeal to all States, especially the nuclear-weapon States, to work actively towards an early agreement on a common approach and, in particular, on a common formula that could be included in an international instrument of a legally binding character.

The Assembly would recommend that further intensive efforts be devoted to the search for such a common approach and that various alternative approaches, particularly those considered in the Conference on Disarmament, be further explored in order to overcome the difficulties. It would also recommend that the Conference actively continue intensive negotiations with a view to concluding effective international arrangements on the issue.

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

The Committee also has before it the following draft resolution on other weapons of mass destruction that have previously been introduced and on which action is expected:

A text on the dumping of radioactive wastes (document A/C.1/52/L.25/Rev.2) would have the Assembly call upon all States to take measures aimed at preventing any dumping of nuclear or radioactive wastes that would infringe upon the sovereignty of States. It would express grave concern regarding any use of nuclear wastes that would constitute radiological warfare and have grave implications for the national security of all States.

First Committee - 11 - Press Release GA/DIS/3095 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1997

By further terms of the text, the Assembly would ask the Conference on Disarmament, in negotiations for a convention prohibiting radiological weapons, to take radioactive wastes into account within its scope. It would appeal to all States to sign and ratify, accept or approve the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, adopted by the participants at the Summit on Nuclear Safety and Security. The Assembly would also express the hope that effective implementation of the IAEA code of Practice on the International Transboundary Movement of Radioactive Waste would enhance protection of all States from the dumping of radioactive wastes on their territories.

The draft resolution is sponsored by Costa Rica, France, Kenya (on behalf of the Group of African States) and the Russian Federation.

On the status of the Chemical Weapons Convention (document A/C.1/52/L.45) a draft text would have the Assembly urge all Sates Parties to meet in full their Convention obligations and to support the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in its implementation activities. It would stress the vital importance of full and effective implementation of, and compliance with, all provisions of the Convention.

The Assembly would also stress the importance to the Convention that all possessors of chemical weapons, chemical weapons production facilities or chemical weapons development facilities, including previously declared possessor States, should be among the States Parties to the Convention.

The draft resolution is co-sponsored by Canada and Poland.

Introduction of Drafts

OLAMGIR RAZZAKOV (Uzbekistan) introduced the draft resolution on the nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia (A/C.1/52/L. 44/Rev.1). He said the relevance for such a zone was reaffirmed at the first session of the Preparatory Committee of the Conference to the NPT. The establishment of new nuclear-weapon-free zones was one of the main ways the NPT regime could be strengthened.

The dedication of the Central Asian States to non-proliferation was evident in their commitment to the NPT and in their desire to establish a nuclear-weapon-free zone. The meeting in Tashkent on 15 September helped foster concrete steps to implement the idea.

Statements

MAHMUD KAREMA (Egypt), referring to the draft introduced last Friday on the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the Middle

First Committee - 12 - Press Release GA/DIS/3095 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1997

East (A/C.1/52/L.4), said that it should reflect honestly the developments, as his country viewed and felt them during the last year in the Middle East. Consensus on the draft had been achieved since 1980, and it was in that spirit of accommodation that his delegation held extensive consultations with other interested parties over the weekend and was now prepared to withdraw some previously submitted amendments.

He said that the first sentence in operative paragraph 4 would now include the phrase "activities of" in reference to the multilateral Working Group on Arms Control and Regional Security. Also, the word "actively" in the first line of operative paragraph 10 would be deleted. Those changes were made in order to preserve the spirit of compromise and consensus that had worked well for the draft since 1980. His country had initiated the draft in 1974 and had worked very hard towards its consensus. Because of the dear principles and provisions enshrined in the draft, he hoped for consensus.

There was a technical error in operative paragraph 3 concerning the application of IAEA safeguards, which he hoped the Secretariat would address.

DAVID DANIELI (Israel) said that he was willing to withdraw his two amendments (contained in A/C.1/52/L.46 and L.49), with the understanding of the changes just described, namely the addition of the words "the activities of" within the body of operative paragraph 4 and the deletion of the word "actively" in the first line of operative paragraph 10. The changes would be issued in a revised text. He was in a position to join consensus and would explain his position after the draft was approved.

GORAN STEVCEVSKI (The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) said that nuclear disarmament should remain the priority of the disarmament agenda. The main way to achieve the goal of a world without nuclear weapons should be through the promotion of the NPT and through bilateral agreements among nuclear Powers. The Committee drafts should further that process. The nuclear-weapon States should understand the wishes of the non-nuclear-weapon States. The non-nuclear-weapon States should recognize that they would not be allowed to become nuclear-weapon-States.

SUBJADNAN PARNOHADININGRAT (Indonesia), speaking on the nuclear disarmament draft (A/C.1/52/L.29), said that there could be no rationale for retaining those weapons, which should be phased out with a view to their ultimate elimination. The qualitative growth of those weapons should soon be curbed, given the fresh impetus of the end of the cold war. The current draft merited Committee support.

Concerning the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (A/C.1/52/L.37), he said that the Court had placed an obligation on nuclear- weapon States. There could be no contrary view of the Court's opinion. Yet, the international community had encountered continuing resistance in its nuclear disarmament efforts. A comprehensive approach leading to the elimination of those weapons was needed.

First Committee - 13 - Press Release GA/DIS/3095 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1997

ZAMIRA ESHMAMBETOVA (Kyrgyzstan), commenting on the draft resolution on the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free-zone in Central Asia, said the trend towards such zones was evidence of the advancing cause of global non- proliferation. They were an important contribution to the non-proliferation regime, and towards the ultimate goal of general and complete nuclear disarmament.

Such zones so far covered nearly half of the southern hemisphere. The States of Central Asia had made considerable progress towards the creation of such a zone in their region. Her Government had proposed to convene an experts meeting in Bishkek in 1998 and she invited the support of the United Nations.

Action on Texts

The draft on the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East (A/C.1/52/L.4) was approved without a vote.

Explaining his support for the draft, the representative of Iran said he was convinced that the establishment of such a zone at an early date would be the most viable way to realize peace and security in the area. It had been the consistent position of Iran since 1974. The main obstacle was Israel's refusal to join the NPT and to put its weapons under IAEA safeguards. While Iran did not feel it could be a co-sponsor of the draft, he wholeheartedly supported its intentions.

The representative of Israel said he had joined the consensus on the draft, in spite of its inherent deficiencies. He was convinced that the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone would be an important complement to security in the region. All the issues should be dealt with within the overall peace process. The political realities in the region mandated a practical step-by step approach, which had been successful elsewhere. He added that he hoped that the sense of responsibility shown by the Committee on that issue would prevail in its consideration of other drafts.

The representative of Syria, explaining his support of the draft, said he had done so because he wished to support consensus, and was aware of the vital importance of creating nuclear-weapon-free zones in the Middle East and around the world. Establishing such a zone was not a prerequisite to the peace process. However, such an important confidence-building measure could not be taken as long as Israel continued to occupy Arab territories.

The Committee approved the draft decision on the Comprehensive Nuclear- Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) (A/C.1/52.1/L.7) by a recorded vote of 148 in favour to none against, with 4 abstentions (Bhutan, India, Libya and United Republic of Tanzania). (For details of the vote, see Annex I.)

First Committee - 14 - Press Release GA/DIS/3095 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1997

The representative of India said that he had voted against the draft. During the course of the CTBT negotiations, he had said that a credible CTBT must be a first step in the nuclear disarmament process and that it should signal the end of all testing activities aimed at developing and refining nuclear weapons. He had consistently pointed out that the CTBT, without being placed in the context of a phased nuclear disarmament programme, served only limited usefulness and did not take into account legitimate security concerns.

Recent developments testified to those concerns, he said. The CTBT contained loopholes that had been exploited by certain countries, which continued to use more sophisticated techniques to develop and upgrade their nuclear arsenals. The continual reliance by the nuclear-weapon States on their nuclear weapons was misplaced, given the assumption that the process had now entered a different phase. The legitimacy of nuclear weapons for security was reserved by a select few countries. The process required a comprehensive and non-discriminatory approach. In order for the process to be meaningful, it must be based on genuine multilateral negotiations within a specified framework of time. His Government could not, therefore, be a party to the draft decision and was obliged to call for the vote and abstain in its recording.

The Committee then approved the draft resolution on convention on the prohibition of the use of nuclear weapons (A/C.11521 L. 15) by a recorded vote of 95 in favour to 30 against, with 28 abstentions. (See Annex II.)

The representative of China said that he had voted in favour of the draft on a nuclear convention because he had always held that before nuclear weapons were completely prohibited and destroyed, all nuclear-weapon States should undertake, without any conditions, not to use or threaten to use those weapons against non-nuclear-weapon States or in any nuclear-weapon-free zones, and to undertake legally binding instruments in that regard.

Nuclear-weapon-free zones were on the rise, covering ever larger areas, he continued. Furthermore, the demands of the numerous non-nuclear-weapon States were becoming stronger. China would like to call on other nuclear- weapon States to respond to its proposals. Until international, legally binding instruments were concluded on the nuclear question, the possibility of using those weapons under any conditions must be excluded. He therefore supported the provisions contained in the draft just approved.

The representative of Japan, in explanation of his abstention in the vote on the nuclear convention draft, said that his country fervently desired that the use of those weapons, which caused incomparable human suffering, would never be repeated. Continuous efforts should be made towards freeing the world of nuclear weapons. Given the present international reality, the approach envisioned in the draft was the only way to achieve steady and step- by-step progress. He attached particular importance to a strengthened NPT, a cut-off treaty for fissile materials, as well as concrete efforts by the nuclear-weapon States towards nuclear disarmament.

The representative of Tunisia said that had his delegation been present, it would have voted in favour of the draft on the nuclear weapon convention.

First Committee - 15 - Press Release GA/DIS/3095 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1997

The representative of Mexico then introduced the draft resolution on the Treaty of Tlatelolco (A/C.1/L.17).

The representative of the Bahamas said that he wished to co-sponsor the draft.

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

The representative of Israel said he had joined consensus on the draft because a nuclear-weapon-free zone should originate from within the region itself, through free and direct negotiations among all regional constituents, taking into account the specific characteristics of each region.

The Committee next approved the draft resolution on the African Nuclear- Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba) (A/C.1/52/L.26) without a vote.

The representative of Spain said that he supported the operative paragraph 3, which referred to Protocol III of the Treaty, since his country had ratified the Treaty and had fully concurred with its objective. The establishment of such zones on the basis of agreements reached among the parties would solidify international peace and security.

The representative of Israel said that his position concerning the African continent had not changed: a nuclear-weapon-free zone should originate in the region itself through negotiations of regional parties, and should take into account the specific characteristics of each region.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on nuclear disarmament (A/C.1/52/L.29) by a recorded vote of 97 in favour to 39 against, with 17 abstentions. (Annex III).

The representative of China, explaining his vote in favour of the draft on nuclear disarmament, said he supported the thrust and objectives of the draft because China and various non-aligned and non-nuclear States had many common concerns. All advocated the complete elimination of nuclear weapons. All believed there should be a treaty on the complete prohibition of nuclear weapons, as had been done for biological and chemical weapons. All opposed the idea of nuclear deterrence. He said his country had developed a small number of nuclear weapons entirely for self-defence. From the first day, it

First Committee - 16 - Press Release GA/DIS/3095 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1997

had announced that it would never use nuclear weapons first and had undertaken never to use such weapons against non-nuclear States. His Government would like to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons. The international community should establish a timetable for nuclear disarmament. The State with the largest nuclear arsenal had a long, long way to go on the path of nuclear disarmament.

The representative of Chile, explaining his vote on the draft, said his country had continuously promoted nuclear disarmament, but did not agree with some aspects of the draft, as it did not promote rapprochement between nuclear powers. The draft would not help unblock the impasse on such negotiations. Unfortunately, he had to abstain, although he generally agreed with the intentions of the draft.

The representative of Japan explained his abstention. He said his country had a fervent desire that the use of nuclear weapons should not be repeated, but the idea contained in the draft, especially the element of a time-bound framework, did not take into account the needs of all States. It also contained no reference to the NPT review process, which was one of the most effective and solid frameworks for nuclear disarmament.

The Committee took up the draft text on bilateral nuclear arms negotiations (A/C.1/52 L.32).

The representative of Uzbekistan joined the list of co-sponsors.

The representative of Cuba said he attached the highest priority to nuclear disarmament and had carefully examined all the drafts. Unfortunately, the draft was similar to last year's and did not reflect the current situation. It was a partial and selective approach to an important issue.

The representative of Pakistan said the draft repeated many provisions of the previous resolution. At the last session, there had been two drafts on the subject and he had supported both. In the context of negotiations towards nuclear disarmament, the General Assembly ought to take into account both the positive and negative developments that had taken place. The draft focused on the positive and failed to mention issues that had caused concern. Furthermore, States engaged in bilateral negotiations had the obligation to keep the Conference on Disarmament fully informed on their progress.

The Committee approved the draft on bilateral nuclear arms negotiations by a recorded vote of 147 in favour to none against, with 8 abstentions (Cuba, Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, India, Iran, Lebanon, Libya, Syria, and the United Republic of Tanzania. (Annex IV).

First Committee - 17 - Press Release GA/DIS/3095 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1997

The representative of India, speaking on the draft just approved on bilateral nuclear arms negotiations, said that nuclear weapons could be upgraded based on qualitative development and sub-critical testing, and could lead to the "weaponization" of space. There had been setbacks and extensions in the treaties on the reduction of strategic offensive arms. With the extended time-frames, that process, which was slow to begin with, was slowing down further. Clearly, those bilateral reductions needed to be part of multilateral negotiations pursued within a time-bound framework, but they should be taken as far as they could go. There was an urgent need for those two nuclear-weapon Powers to intensify their efforts. It was for those reasons that he abstained in the vote on the draft.

The representative of Iran said that he sympathized with the basic thrust of the draft, but had abstained because there was no reference to the Conference on Disarmament as the sole negotiating body in the disarmament field. The self-satisfactory tone of the draft on the state of affairs in such negotiations, as well as other elements that he had no means to substantiate or verify, including the significant reduction made by other nuclear-weapon States, was the reason for his abstention.

The Committee then took up the draft on the International Court of Justice advisory opinion on the legality of nuclear weapons (A/C.1/52/L.37).

The representative of the United Kingdom said his Government would press for balanced and verifiable reductions of nuclear weapons. Once that was satisfied, it would ensure that British nuclear weapons were included in multilateral negotiations. Considerable progress had been made in the area of nuclear disarmament. A cut-off treaty of the use of fissile material in nuclear weapons was a necessary next step. He welcomed the recognition of the importance under the NPT of the obligations of nuclear-weapon States, including their obligation as stated in the opinion of the International Court of Justice. But, given that the draft contained highly selective quotations, the United Kingdom would abstain in the vote on that draft.

The representative of the United States said he would vote against the draft. Despite the title and the mention of the International Court of Justice opinion, the draft was not really about the advisory opinion at all, but rather a repetition of calls for immediate multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations in a time-bound framework. The United States had opposed that approach in the past and would continue to do so. The bilateral approach remained the only realistic one in that complex field.

The draft was presented in a highly contentious and disingenuous matter, he said. Article VI of the NPT was mischaracterized and selectively quoted. Crucial references to general and complete disarmament were omitted, appearing to relieve non-nuclear-weapon States of their responsibilities. Furthermore,

First Committee - 18 - Press Release GA/DIS/3095 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1997

the Court's opinion was misrepresented, thereby turning it into a legal edict requiring immediate negotiations in a rapid form.

The representative of Argentina intended to vote in favour of the draft on the advisory opinion. He agreed with the substance of operative para 1, stating that negotiations should begin to achieve nuclear disarmament. Because of the sensitivity of the issue, the commencement of multilateral negotiations should be the subject of an agreement, without predetermined deadlines.

The representative of Sweden attached great importance to the Court's opinion and the draft focused on that consensus opinion. It was imperative that the momentum towards nuclear disarmament be further strengthened. For that reason, he would vote in favour of the current draft. However, he supported all efforts in the appropriate form and forums towards achieving the desired goal. In that regard, unilateral, bilateral and multilateral negotiations -- all had an important role to play. That point should have been better reflected in the text. If there was a separate vote on operative paragraph 2, he would abstain.

The representative of South Africa was grateful to Malaysia for bringing the draft before the Committee. The Court's opinion would be an important landmark in the common goal of eliminating nuclear weapons. He would vote in favour of the draft.

The representative of Egypt said that he wished to be included as a co- sponsor of the draft.

In a point of order, the representative of Canada reiterated his request for a separate vote on operative paragraph 1 of the draft.

The representative of Chile requested a separate vote on preambular paragraph 10 of the draft.

In a separate recorded vote, the Committee approved preambular paragraph 10 of the draft by 99 in favour to 34 against, with 17 abstentions (Annex V).

The Committee then approved operative paragraph 1 of the draft by a recorded vote of 139 in favour to 5 against (France, Israel, Monaco, Russian Federation and United States), with 9 abstentions (Bulgaria, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Togo, Turkey, United Kingdom and Uzbekistan) (Annex VI).

The Committee also approved operative paragraph 2 of the draft by a recorded vote of 96 in favour to 34 against, with 23 abstentions (Annex VII).

First Committee - 19 - Press Release GA/DIS/3095 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1997

The draft resolution on the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice as a whole was approved by a recorded vote of 103 in favour to 26 against, with 24 abstentions (Annex VIII).

Speaking after the vote, the representative of Chile said that he had abstained on the vote on preambular paragraph 10, based on the fact that there was no need to have a specific time-frame for negotiating a multilateral instrument. That condition would damage progress.

The representative of Greece said that he had always considered the International Court of Justice an indispensable institution for the proper functioning of the United Nations system and for preserving international peace and security. He was unable to support the draft, however, because its co-sponsors had engaged in an arbitrary use of the Court's opinion. The selective compilation of certain items marred its spirit and letter.

The representative of Japan said he had voted in favour of operative paragraph 1, but abstained on the vote of the draft as a whole. He firmly believed that continuous efforts should be made to free the world of nuclear weapons, given their immense power, which his country had witnessed firsthand. The use of nuclear weapons was contrary to the spirit of humanity.

He said that the Court's opinion demonstrated the complexity of the subject. He supported the unanimous opinion of the Judges on the obligation for nuclear-weapon States to pursue and conclude negotiations in good faith. He firmly believed that concrete measures must be undertaken in a step-by-step manner and negotiations for a cut-off treaty of fissile material for weapons purposes should commence immediately. However, he could not support the draft in its entirety.

The representative of Germany said that he attached importance to the Court's opinion, and had voted in favour of operative paragraph 1 of the draft. However, it also contained elements and conclusions which were not in accordance with the Court's opinion. He had, therefore, voted against the draft as a whole.

The representative of Algeria, speaking as a co-sponsor of the draft, noted a technical error in preambular paragraph 10 of the French text, which the Secretariat should correct.

The representative of Gabon said that his commitment to nuclear disarmament was well-known and had recently been reaffirmed during the Committee's general debate. It was in that spirit that the Court's advisory opinion was welcome. It was an invitation to the nuclear Powers to respect the moral obligation to carry out in good faith negotiations aimed at achieving nuclear disarmament. He, therefore, voted in favour of the draft as

First Committee - 20 - Press Release GA/DIS/3095 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1997

a whole. He abstained on operative paragraph 2, because the wording did not respectfully reflect the Court's opinion.

The representative of Belgium voted in favour of operative paragraph 1, but was unable to support the draft as a whole because it was selective and did not do justice to the Court's opinion.

The Committee then took up the draft on the establishment of a nuclear- weapon-free zone in South Asia (A/C.1/52/L.38)

The representative of India said he had already given his position on the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in South Asia. The draft was not new, and his opposition had not changed. South Asia did not fit the United Nations requirements for the establishment of such a zone. The political concerns of the region extended beyond its immediate geographical neighbours. The draft should be based on an appropriate definition of the region, and must be freely arrived at by the States concerned. India would vote against the draft.

The Committee approved the draft on a nuclear-weapon-free zone in South Asia by a recorded vote of 139 in favour to 3 against (Bhutan, India, Mauritius), with eight abstentions (Afghanistan, Algeria, Cyprus, Cuba, Indonesia, Laos People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Viet Nam) (Annex IX).

The representative of Indonesia said he had abstained because the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones should be according to arrangements fully agreed on by all States, according to the principles of such zones. Efforts towards agreement on the establishment of such a zone in South Asia had yet to be concluded.

The representative of Côte d'Ivoire said he had not been present for the vote, but he would have voted in favour.

The representative of Israel said he had voted in favour of the draft, but added that nuclear-weapon-free zones should originate within the region itself, and had to take into account the specific characteristics of each region.

The Committee took up the draft on assurances to non-nuclear weapon States (A/C/.1/52/L.41).

The representative of the Republic of Korea, speaking before action on the text, said that last year his Government had abstained because it had failed to take into account major developments, and because it did not offer sufficient assurances to States that were not a party to the NPT. There had not been sufficient change in the draft for him to give it his support.

First Committee - 21 - Press Release GA/DIS/3095 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1997

The Committee approved the draft on assurances to non-nuclear-weapon States by a recorded vote of 107 in favour to none against, with 48 abstentions (Annex X).

The representative of India said the draft flowed from acceptance of an unequal regime. The only credible guarantee against nuclear weapons lay in their total elimination and India had proposed a treaty for the prohibition of such weapons. However, he had nonetheless voted in favour of the draft.

The Committee then approved the draft resolution on the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia (A/C.1/52/L.44 Rev.1) without a vote.

The representative of the United States said he was pleased to join the consensus on that draft, which was a valuable initiative, calling attention to the principles of non-proliferation in the NPT. However, he said, the devil was always in the details, and he urged the States in the region to learn from the lessons and experiences of other such zones. He was in favour of nuclear- weapon-free zones, as long as they conformed to criteria that included the following: the initiative must come from within the region; all important regional States must participate; there must be adequate verification; and the establishment of such zones should not impose restrictions on the high seas.

The representative of Israel had joined the consensus, and said he welcomed the draft. The establishment of such zones, he added, should originate from within the zones themselves, and should represent all the States within the region.

The Committee Secretary noted that the draft on the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Production (A/C.1/52/L.24) had no financial implication for the regular budget of the United Nations. It was adopted without a vote.

The representative of Israel said he had joined the consensus, as in the past, supporting the global prohibition biological weapons. He said that such a prohibition should include all States in the Middle East. The Iraqi situation had demonstrated the difficulties with verification, showing that a credible verification regime was required.

The draft on the prohibition of dumping of radioactive waste (A/C.1/52/L.25/Rev.2) was adopted without a vote.

The representative of Pakistan said he had joined the consensus on the prohibition of the dumping of radioactive wastes. However, in addition to the issue of dumping, such waste should be handled in a safe and effective manner. However, he could not support operative paragraph 8 of the draft, which

First Committee - 22 - Press Release GA/DIS/3095 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1997

welcomed the adoption of the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management at Vienna in September, as recommended by the participants at the Moscow Summit on Nuclear Safety and Security, and the signing of the Joint Convention by a number of States. The paragraph also appealed to all States to Sign and ratify the Convention. Pakistan could not sign the Convention, and his support for the resolution did not signal any endorsement of operative paragraph 8.

The representative of India said he supported the objectives of the draft. However, he had reservations regarding operative paragraph 8. There were difficulties in defining what constituted waste -- spent fuel did not always fall into that category.

The representative of Belgium said that his vote on the draft on the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice had been on behalf of the Benelux countries.

The representative of Egypt, speaking in exercise of the right of reply, said that in light of what had been said by the representative of Israel, certain clarifications must be made.

He said that the representative of Israel mentioned three points. The first was that there were deficiencies in the draft on the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones in the Middle East. What deficiencies had he seen? He had thought that there were two deficiencies and those had been addressed in order to solicit Israel's support.

He said the second point had been mentioned through the action on several drafts dealing with nuclear-weapon-free zones, which was that such arrangements must be agreed to by free and direct negotiations, and must come from the region itself. Egypt had not imposed anything on negotiations for the establishment of such a zone, but had listened carefully to the points expressed by the delegation of Israel. What had Israel's representative been doing for the past 48 hours? he asked, referring to the weekend consultations.

The third point concerned steps towards confidence-building, he continued. It was a concept to which Egypt wholeheartedly agreed, but to build confidence in the Middle East meant building confidence in the nuclear field. One such extremely important measure would be to stop dealing with nuclear activities in secrecy and ambiguity, thereby imposing psychological deterrence. The important event had occurred -- a draft had been adopted by consensus. He would continue in a spirit of accommodation and compromise. He hoped that in the days to come that spirit would be met by a similar spirit from the other side.

(annexes follow)

First Committee - 23 - Press Release GA/DIS/3095 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1997

First Committee Press Release GA/DIS/3095 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1997

ANNEX I

Vote on Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

The draft decision on the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (document A/C.1/52/L.7) was approved by a recorded vote of 148 in favour to none against, with 4 abstentions:

In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Republic of the Congo, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against: None

Abstain: Bhutan, India, Libya, United Republic of Tanzania.

Absent: Belize, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Chad, Comoros, Costa Rica, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Federated States of Micronesia, Gabon, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Nicaragua, Niger, Palau, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Tajikistan, Vanuatu, Yemen.

(END OF ANNEX I)

24

First Committee Press Release GA/DIS/3095 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1997

ANNEX II

Vote on Nuclear Weapons Convention

The draft resolution on the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use of Nuclear Weapons (document A/C.1/52/L.15) was approved by a recorded vote of 95 in favour to 30 against, with 28 abstentions:

In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chile, China, Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of the Congo, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against: Albania, Andorra, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States.

Abstain: Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Georgia, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, San Marino, Solomon Islands, Sweden, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan.

Absent: Belize, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Chad, Comoros, Costa Rica, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Federated States of Micronesia, Gabon, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritania,

25

Nicaragua, Palau, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Vanuatu, Yemen.

(END OF ANNEX II)

First Committee Press Release GA/DIS/3095 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1997

ANNEX III

Vote on Nuclear Disarmament

The draft resolution on nuclear disarmament (document A/C.1/52/L.29) was approved by a recorded vote of 97 in favour to 39 against, with 17 abstentions:

In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of the Congo, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against: Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States.

26

Abstain: Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Chile, Cyprus, Georgia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malta, Marshall Islands, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, San Marino, South Africa, Ukraine.

Absent: Belize, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Chad, Comoros, Costa Rica, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritania, Mauritius, Nicaragua, Palau, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Vanuatu, Yemen.

(END OF ANNEX III)

First Committee Press Release GA/DIS/3095 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1997

ANNEX IV

Vote on Bilateral Nuclear Arms Negotiations

The draft resolution on bilateral nuclear arms negotiations and nuclear disarmament (document A/C.1/52/L.32/Rev.1) was approved by a recorded vote of 147 in favour to none against, with 8 abstentions:

In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic

27

of Moldova, Republic of the Congo, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against: None.

Abstain: Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Iran, Lebanon, Libya, Syria, United Republic of Tanzania.

Absent: Belize, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Chad, Comoros, Costa Rica, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritania, Nicaragua, Palau, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Tajikistan, Vanuatu, Yemen.

(END OF ANNEX IV)

28

First Committee Press Release GA/DIS/3095 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1997

ANNEX V

Vote on Preambular Paragraph 10 of ICJ Opinion

Preambular paragraph 10 of the draft resolution on the International Court of Justice advisory opinion on nuclear weapons, which concerns Conference on Disarmament negotiations (document A/C.1/52/L.37) was approved by a recorded vote of 99 in favour to 34 against, with 17 abstentions:

In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Colombia, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of the Congo, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against: Albania, Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan.

Abstain: Argentina, Austria, Belarus, Benin, Chile, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtenstein, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Togo, Turkmenistan.

Absent: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belize, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Chad, China, Comoros, Costa Rica, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritania, Nicaragua, Palau, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa,

29

Tajikistan, Vanuatu, Yemen.

(END OF ANNEX V)

First Committee Press Release GA/DIS/3095 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1997

ANNEX VI

Vote on Operative Paragraph 1 of ICJ Opinion

Operative paragraph 1 of the draft resolution on the International Court of Justice advisory opinion on nuclear weapons (document A/C.1/52/L.37) was approved by a recorded vote of 139 in favour to 5 against, with 9 abstentions:

In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of the Congo, Romania, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against: France, Israel, Monaco, Russian Federation, United States.

Abstain: Bulgaria, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Korea, Republic of

30

Moldova, Togo, Turkey, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan.

Absent: Belize, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Chad, Comoros, Costa Rica, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guatemala, Lesotho, Mauritania, Nicaragua, Palau, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Seychelles, Tajikistan, Vanuatu, Yemen.

(END OF ANNEX VI)

First Committee Press Release GA/DIS/3095 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1997

ANNEX VII

Vote on Operative Paragraph 2 of ICJ Opinion

Operative paragraph 2 of the draft resolution on the International Court of Justice advisory opinion on nuclear weapons (document A/C.1/52/L.37) was approved by a recorded vote of 96 in favour to 34 against, with 23 abstentions:

In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chile, China, Colombia, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of the Congo, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against: Albania, Andorra, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech

31

Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan.

Abstain: Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Benin, Cyprus, Finland, Gabon, Georgia, Ireland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtenstein, Malta, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Sweden, Togo, Ukraine, Uruguay.

Absent: Belize, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Chad, Comoros, Costa Rica, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritania, Nicaragua, Palau, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Seychelles, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Vanuatu, Yemen.

(END OF ANNEX VII)

32

First Committee Press Release GA/DIS/3095 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1997

ANNEX VIII

Vote on ICJ Advisory Opinion on Nuclear Weapons

The draft resolution on the International Court of Justice advisory opinion on the legality of nuclear weapons (document A/C.1/52/L.37) was approved by a recorded vote of 103 in favour to 26 against, with 24 abstentions:

In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chile, China, Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Jamaica, Jordon, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of the Congo, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against: Albania, Andorra, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russiand Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States.

Abstain: Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Benin, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Iceland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Norway, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Togo, Uzbekistan.

Absent: Belize, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Chad, Comoros, Costa Rica, Democratic Repulbic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritania, Morocco, Nicaragua, Palau, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the

33

Grenadines, Senegal, Seychelles, Tajikistan, Vanuatu, Yemen.

(END OF ANNEX VIII)

First Committee Press Release GA/DIS/3095 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1997

ANNEX IX

Vote on Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in South Asia

The draft resolution on the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in South Asia (document A/C.1/52/L.38) was approved by a recorded vote of 139 in favour to 3 against, with 8 abstentions:

In favour: Albania, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Republic of the Congo, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against: Bhutan, India, Mauritius.

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

34

Absent: Belize, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Chad, Comoros, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guatemala, Lebanon, Lesotho, Mauritania, Nicaragua, Palau, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Syria, Tajikistan, Vanuatu, Yemen.

(END OF ANNEX IX)

First Committee Press Release GA/DIS/3095 18th Meeting (PM) 10 November 1997

ANNEX X

Vote on Assurance to Non-Nuclear-Weapon States

The draft resolution on international arrangements to assure non- nuclear-weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons (document A/C.1/52/L.41) was approved by a recorded vote of 107 in favour to none against, with 48 abstentions:

In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chile, China, Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of the Congo, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against: None.

35

Abstain: Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States.

Absent: Belize, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Chad, Comoros, Costa Rica, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guatemala, Lesotho, Palau, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Seychelles, Tajikistan, Vanuatu, Yemen.

* *** *

For information media. Not an official record.