FIRST COMMITTEE BEGINS DISCUSSION OF SPECIFIC DISARMAMENT THEMES
Press Release
GA/DIS/3119
FIRST COMMITTEE BEGINS DISCUSSION OF SPECIFIC DISARMAMENT THEMES
19981023 The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) this afternoon began its thematic discussion and consideration of all disarmament and security-related draft resolutions.The current phase of the Committee's work is expected to extend through Monday, 2 November, after which it will begin taking action on all disarmament drafts. During the current phase, the Committee will consider agenda items according to themes or categories, including nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction, the disarmament aspects of outer space, conventional weapons, regional confidence-building and transparency measures, and the role of science and technology in international security.
Most delegations had expressed their readiness to meet the extended deadline of 6 p.m. today for the submission of draft texts. The submission of three draft resolutions, in accordance with an offer made yesterday by the Committee Chairman, will be postponed until 6 p.m. Monday, 26 October. Those three texts are on: nuclear disarmament; towards a nuclear-weapon-free world; and a fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament.
Statements were made by the representatives of Bulgaria, Kyrgyzstan, Israel and Brazil.
The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. Monday, 26 October, to continue its thematic discussion and consideration of disarmament and security-related draft resolutions.
Committee Work Programme
The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) met this afternoon to begin its thematic discussion and consideration of all disarmament and security-related draft resolutions.
The current phase will extend through Monday, 2 November. It combines the thematic discussion with consideration of drafts, as part of a reform to streamline the Committee's work. The third and final stage of its work, which is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, 3 November, will be action on all disarmament draft resolutions.
Under the current phase, the Committee will consider agenda items according to the following themes or categories: nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction; the disarmament aspects of outer space; conventional weapons, including anti-personnel mines, and small and light weapons; confidence-building and transparency measures; the disarmament machinery, including the Conference on Disarmament; other disarmament measures, including the role of science and technology in international security; related matters of disarmament and international security, including the consolidation of peace through practical disarmament measures; and other international security items, such as the development of good-neighbourly relations among the Balkan States.
(For detailed background of all documents before the Committee, see Press Release GA/DIS/3106 issued on 9 October).
Statements
YURI SHTERK (Bulgaria) said that he associated himself with the statement made on behalf of the European Union. The basic premise of his Government's approach to security and disarmament favoured a multi-dimensional vision of security, which took into account all pertinent security-related factors at all levels. A cornerstone of its security policy was the pursuit of a speedy integration into the Euro-Atlantic security structures. At the regional level that meant an active role in the promotion and development of security and defence cooperation among States in south-eastern Europe.
He said his Government strove to play a key role in the emergence and reinforcement of what it called "a belt of security" around the troubled area in the former Yugoslavia. That so-called "belt" would comprise the stable democratic States in that part of Europe, which were able to project stability and spread the culture of democracy and peace throughout the region. In that context, arms control and disarmament issues were integral elements of Bulgaria's security policy.
He said his country was deeply concerned about the situation in Kosovo. It was committed to remaining actively involved in international efforts to
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find a just and lasting solution to the conflict based on the respect of the rights and freedoms of all inhabitants of Kosovo, and in respect for the existing border and territorial integrity of the States of the region. Also, his country shared the concerns of the world community related to the proliferation of small arms in areas of internal conflict. Therefore, his Government supported the integrated and comprehensive approach adopted by the United Nations, which should play a major role in promoting the control and reduction of small arms in a balanced and non-discriminatory manner.
The convening of an international conference on the illicit arms trade in all its aspects had his country's support, he said. A decision to that effect should be taken during the present session. His country was deeply concerned that the insufficient control of arms trafficking in certain countries and areas of south-eastern Europe continued to have a negative impact on regional security and stability. His Government had launched a number of initiatives to prevent illicit arms trafficking. Regional and subregional arrangements were among the ways for governments to successfully tackle that issue.
In recent years, he said his country had repeatedly declared its adherence to the internationally-recognized rules relating to the trade in arms and arms production technologies. Those declarations had been complemented by the establishment of a strict control and licensing regime aimed at preventing unauthorized arms transfers. Currently, his country was applying one of the most stringent policies with regard to arms control and trade in dual-use goods.
He called for appropriate support, including financial, in fulfilling Bulgaria's obligations as a State party to the Ottawa Convention, particularly those related to mine clearance and the destruction of existing stockpiles. Out of respect for the legitimate concerns expressed by some countries in joining the Ottawa process at present, there was still room for the Conference on Disarmament to contribute to the fundamental goal of completely eliminating those weapons.
He said his country remained committed to the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones on the basis of arrangements freely arrived at among concerned States. For any new initiative in those areas to be productive, however, it should be carefully prepared and discussed in advance with all interested parties. Unfortunately, that seemed not to be the case with the most recent initiative on regional disarmament relating to Central and Eastern Europe, which was put forth in the absence of appropriate prior consultations with concerned parties. His country, therefore, retained its strong reservations on the outcome of that initiative.
ZAMIRA ESHMAMBETOVA (Kyrgyzstan) presented the views of her Government on the activities of the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific, which was established in June 1988. She
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said the task of the Centre had significantly changed from a very modest task of disseminating information on disarmament among States of the Asia-Pacific, following the end of the cold war when the world's attention turned from nuclear expansion to nuclear reduction. In the current circumstance, there was a clear need for open dialogue, which could promote transparency and trust among the regional states.
That need, she said, prompted the Centre to establish a framework known as the "Kathmandu process", designed to generate and sustain a dialogue on security issues in the Asia-Pacific region, with a view to promoting openness, transparency and confidence-building. The ultimate goal was to prevent the outbreak of armed conflict and to create favourable conditions for conflict resolution. The agenda of the process was remarkably wide, including confidence-building measures, nuclear issues, conventional armaments, and chemical and biological weapons, among others.
The format of the Kathmandu process was unique, she said. It included scholars and experts in the field of disarmament and security studies, policy planners and non-governmental organizations from various parts of the world. Since 1989, the Centre had held many international conferences. In 10 years, it had been transformed into a very important mechanism for facilitating dialogue on regional peace and disarmament. The informal atmosphere of the forum had contributed to free and open discussions, thereby establishing mutual trust and cooperation in the sensitive areas of security and disarmament.
In its work, the Centre closely cooperated with the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific, she continued. It was currently exploring how to enhance cooperation with other regional organizations, such as the North-East Asia Cooperation Dialogue and the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization, so as to promote a subregional dialogue on peace and stability in the peninsula. The Centre had also been actively involved in the efforts of Central Asian States to establish a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia.
She said the Kathmandu process could not continue to play its vital role without adequate financial resources. It was currently sustained by voluntary contributions and had so far not received any support from the United Nations budget. The situation should be examined, as both the Kathmandu process and the Regional Centre itself were needed in the region.
ROBBIE SABEL (Israel) informed the Committee that he had received information that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Chairman, Yasser Arafat, would shortly sign an agreement at the White House. On this occasion, he expressed his appreciation to United States President William Clinton and to the United States Government for its help in achieving that agreement. He also appreciated the leading role in the peace process played by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, and the continued support of the European
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Union in that process. Finally, he would express his appreciation to the personal intervention made by King Hussein of Jordan. He wished him and the people of Jordan good health and good wishes.
JOSE EDUARDO FELICIO (Brazil) announced that his Government would co-sponsor the draft resolution on the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia (document A/C.1/53/L.2). He congratulated delegations for having presented the draft, which had reflected the policy of his Government in relation to nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. He thanked delegations in advance for the extensive consultations on the draft on the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free southern hemisphere, and for their flexibility and positive contributions on a text which should command even wider support this year.
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