INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT ON SECURITY FOR NON-NUCLEAR-WEAPON STATES SUBJECT OF TEXT APPROVED BY DISARMAMENT COMMITTEE

6 November 1998

Press Release
GA/DIS/3130

INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT ON SECURITY FOR NON-NUCLEAR-WEAPON STATES SUBJECT OF TEXT APPROVED BY DISARMAMENT COMMITTEE

19981106 Draft Resolutions Also Approved on Central Asia, Illicit Arms Trade Conference, Small Arms, Conventional Weapons Convention

The Assembly would appeal to all States, especially the nuclear-weapon States, to work actively towards a legally binding international instrument on security assurances to non-nuclear-weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons, according to one of five draft resolutions approved this morning in the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security).

By further terms of the draft, approved by a recorded vote of 78 in favour to none against, with 48 abstentions, the Assembly would recommend continued intensive negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament towards that goal, taking into account the widespread support for an international convention. (For details of the vote seen Annex I.)

According to another nuclear-related text, approved without a vote, the Assembly would call upon all countries to support the initiative for a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia. In that context, it would encourage the five Central Asian States to continue their dialogue with the five nuclear-weapon States. It would ask the Secretary-General to provide assistance to the Central Asian States in preparing the agreement for such a zone.

By the terms of a draft on small arms, the Assembly would decide to convene an international conference on the illicit arms trade in all its aspects not later than 2001. It would request the Secretary-General to prepare a report containing recommendations to be submitted at the Assembly's fifty-fourth session, with a view to arriving at an Assembly decision during that session on the objective, scope, agenda, dates, venue and preparatory committee of such a conference. The draft was approved by a recorded vote of 136 in favour to none against, with 3 abstentions (Bahrain, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia) (Annex III).

Prior to approval of the draft, a separate vote was taken on the fourth preambular paragraph, which reaffirmed the right of self-determination of all

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peoples. It was approved by a recorded vote of 127 in favour to none against, with 11 abstentions (Annex II).

The Committee approved, without a vote, a second text on the illicit arms trade. By its terms, the Assembly would encourage the Secretary-General to continue his efforts to curb the illicit circulation of small arms and to collect such arms in the affected States that so requested, with the support of the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa and in close cooperation with the Organization of African Unity (OAU). It would encourage the setting up of national commissions against the proliferation of small arms, in the Saharo-Sahelian subregion.

By the terms of a fourth draft text on conventional weapons, also approved without a vote, the Assembly would urgently call upon all States to become parties, as soon as possible, to the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed To Be Excessively Injurious or To Have Indiscriminate Effects (Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons) and its Protocols, particularly to the Amended Protocol on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Mines, Booby Traps and Other Devices (Protocol II).

Statements were made by the representatives of India, Australia, South Africa, Ghana, Singapore, Benin, Oman, Sierra Leone, Mali, France, Pakistan, Israel, Russian Federation, Norway, Egypt, Cuba and Israel.

The Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. Monday, 9 November, to continue taking action on all disarmament and security-related draft resolutions.

Committee Work Programme

The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) met this morning to continue taking action on all disarmament and security-related draft resolutions. It had before it draft texts on establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia, security assurances to non-nuclear- weapon States, small arms and light weapons, and landmines.

By the terms of a text on the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia (document A/C.1/53/L.2) the General Assembly would call upon all countries to support the initiative for such a zone. In that context, the Assembly would encourage the five Central Asian States to continue their dialogue with the five nuclear-weapon States. The Assembly would ask the Secretary-General to provide assistance to the Central Asian States in preparing the agreement for such a zone.

The draft resolution is sponsored by Australia, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Canada, El Salvador, Fiji, Georgia, Indonesia, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

According to a text on assistance to States for curbing the illicit traffic in small arms and collecting them (document A/C.1/53/L.7/Rev.1), the Assembly would encourage the Secretary-General to continue his efforts to curb the illicit circulation of small arms and to collect such arms in the affected States that so requested, with the support of the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa and in close cooperation with the Organization of African Unity (OAU). Also, the Assembly would encourage the setting up in the Saharo-Sahelian subregion of national commissions against the proliferation of small arms, and it would invite the international community to support their smooth functioning.

The Assembly would note that, as part of its efforts to halt the flow of small arms into Mali and the Saharo-Sahelian subregion, the Mali Government oversaw the destruction, at the 1996 "Flame of Peace" ceremony at Timbuktu in Mali, of thousands of small arms of ex-combatants of the armed movements of northern Mali. It would also take note of the conclusions of the ministerial consultation on the proposed moratorium on the import, export and manufacture of light weapons in the region, held at Bamako in March 1997.

The draft resolution is sponsored by Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Japan, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo.

By the terms of a text on small arms (document A/C.1/53/L.13/Rev.1), the Assembly would decide to convene an international conference on the illicit

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arms trade in all its aspects not later than 2001. It would request the Secretary-General to prepare a report containing recommendations to be submitted at the Assembly's fifty-fourth session, with a view to arriving at an Assembly decision during that session on the objective, scope, agenda, dates, venue and preparatory committee of such a conference.

The Assembly would further request the Secretary-General to initiate a study as soon as possible, within existing resources, on the feasibility of restricting the manufacture and trade of such weapons to the manufacturers and dealers authorized by States, and of establishing, within the United Nations system, a single database of such authorized manufacturers and dealers.

The draft resolution is sponsored by Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Canada, Central African Republic, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, Germany, Greece, Guinea, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mali, Malta, Mexico, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Turkey and Uruguay.

According to a draft resolution on the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed To Be Excessively Injurious or To Have Indiscriminate Effects (Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons) (document A/C.1/53/L.20/Rev.1), the Assembly would urgently call upon all States that had not yet done so to become parties, as soon as possible, to the Convention and its Protocols, particularly to the Amended Protocol on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Mines, Booby Traps and Other Devices (Protocol II), with a view to achieving its widest possible adherence at an early date.

The Assembly would call on all High Contracting Parties to the Convention to express their consensus to be bound by that Protocol, and also call upon successor States to take appropriate measures to ensure universal adherence to those instruments. It would request the Secretary-General to convene in 1999 the first annual conference of High Contracting Parties to the Protocol. It would call upon those Parties to attend and note that, in accordance with a provision of that Protocol, they might invite representatives of States not party to the Protocol, and of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The Assembly would also express satisfaction that the Protocol on Blinding Laser Weapons (Protocol IV) had entered into force on 30 July, and commend all States, in particular all High Contracting Parties to the Convention that had not yet done so, to express their consent to be bound also by that Protocol.

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The draft resolution is sponsored by Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, United Kingdom, United States and Uruguay.

A draft resolution on negative assurances to non-nuclear-weapon States (document A/C.1/53/L.36) would have the Assembly appeal to all States, especially the nuclear-weapon States, to work actively towards a common formula that could be included in an international instrument of a legally binding character. It would recommend that further intensive efforts should be devoted to the search for such a common formula and that the various alternative approaches, including, in particular, those considered in the Conference on Disarmament, should be further explored in order to overcome the difficulties.

The Assembly would also recommend that the Conference should actively continue intensive negotiations with a view to reaching early agreement and concluding effective international arrangements to assure the non-nuclear- weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons, taking into account the widespread support for the conclusion of an international convention and giving consideration to any other proposals designed to secure that objective. It would decide to include, at its fifty-fourth session, an item on the conclusion of effective international arrangements.

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

Action on Texts

The Committee first took up the draft text on the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia (document A/C.1/53/L.2).

The Committee Secretary announced that, in light of the text's provisions, it was envisaged that two expert groups meetings would be held in New York and Geneva in 1999. However, the extent to which the Organization's capacity would need to be supplemented by temporary assistance regarding resources could be determined only in the light of the calendar of conferences and meetings for the biennium 1998-1999. Consequently, should the Assembly adopt the draft resolution, no additional appropriation would be required at this time.

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The draft text on the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia (document A/C.1/53/L.2) was approved without a vote.

Speaking in explanation after action on the text, the representative of India said that it was noteworthy that the proposal to establish a nuclear- weapon-free zone in Central Asia received the support of all the regional States. That was in conformity with the requirement that the establishment of such zones should result from arrangements freely arrived at among the States concerned. In particular, she appreciated the support of Asian States in that regard and her Government would do its utmost to facilitate the early realization of the proposal to establish such a zone.

The Committee then took up the draft resolution on security assurances to non-nuclear-weapon States (document A/C.1/53/L.36) and approved it by a recorded vote of 78 in favour to none against, with 48 abstentions. (For details of the vote see Annex I.)

The representative of Australia, speaking in explanation of vote, said that pending the elimination of nuclear weapons, consistent with article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), negative security assurances were an essential reinforcing element underpinning the nuclear non-proliferation regime.

Those non-nuclear-weapon States parties to the NPT that had renounced the nuclear option and were in full compliance with their NPT obligations, had a legitimate claim to credible, comprehensive and binding assurances from the five nuclear-weapon States, he continued. That was an important inducement to accede to the NPT for those few States that remained outside the Treaty. The primacy to NPT States parties in that regard was not part of the draft text and had, regrettably, prevented his delegation's favourable vote.

The representative of India, speaking in explanation of vote, said that her country had consistently maintained that the only credible guarantees against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons lay in their total elimination. Pending achievement of that objective, as an interim measure, there existed an obligation on the part of nuclear-weapon States to assure non-nuclear-weapon States in that regard. That obligation should be international and legally binding, clear, credible, universal and non- discriminatory.

She said she welcomed the resumption of that discussion next year in the Conference on Disarmament. Her delegation had voted in favour of the draft. For its part, her country was aware of its responsibilities as a nuclear- weapon State. As such, it had stated that it would not be the first to use nuclear weapons and was willing to strengthen its commitments towards no first use through bilateral or multilateral negotiations. There remained, however, no basis for the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons against countries that did not possess those weapons. Her country had provided all non-nuclear- weapon States with security assurances and it favoured nuclear-weapon-free zones on the basis of arrangements freely arrived at among States. It was ready to turn that commitment into a legal obligation.

The representative of South Africa, speaking in explanation of vote, said his country was a strong supporter of granting legally binding security

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assurances to non-nuclear-weapon States parties to the NPT. Negative security assurances were an integral element of the NPT bargain with non-nuclear-weapon States. By joining that Treaty, those States had undertaken a legal commitment not to aspire to nuclear weapons. The Conference on Disarmament had demonstrated its inability to deal with that issue. The venue, therefore, for considering the matter was within the context of the NPT. Since the draft resolution did not take those views into account, he had abstained in the vote.

The representative of Ghana said that if he had been present during the approval of the draft resolution on a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia (document A/C.1/53/L.2) he would have joined the consensus. Had he been present for the vote on the resolution concerning security assurances (document A/C.1/53/L.36), he would have voted in favour of the text.

The committee then took up the draft resolutions on assistance to States for curbing the illicit traffic in small arms and collecting them (document A/C.1/53/L.7/Rev.1) and small arms (document A/C.1/53/L.13/Rev.1).

Speaking before action on the texts, the representative of Singapore said his Government was committed to the efforts of the international community to combat the illicit traffic in small arms. Those weapons truly presented a grave danger to regional and international security. In view of that, his delegation supported all the draft texts addressing the subject. Singapore had a policy of strict control over the transfer and use of small arms.

Continuing, he said that while his country wholly believed that there was an urgent need to curb the illicit traffic and proliferation of those weapons worldwide, it held that the process should accord due recognition to the legitimate rights of States for their national defence. Any control mechanism on the international level should take that on board. His country also supported the idea of international cooperation in tackling the problem. The issue was too complex to be resolved by a handful of States alone.

The representative of Benin said the small arms scourge was now an issue of major concern for many regions. The proliferation of those weapons constituted a distinct threat to the security of many States, especially in Africa. Those weapons were the main cause of death and of the socio-economic problems plaguing many African States. They exacerbated conflicts that would otherwise have been peacefully resolved. Many governments in the West Africa subregion were being held hostage by armed bands, sometimes more sophisticated

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than the national armies, and the problem was a real threat to the stability of the region.

Against that background, he said the moratorium which the heads of government of West African States recently placed on the production of small arms should be supported by the international community. The international community should also assist States of the region in the demobilization and reintegration of former combatants, where necessary. Any such process should oversee the effective collection of the arms of all former combatants, through an appropriate mechanism devised by the international community. His country supported all draft texts on ways and means of combating the small arms problem.

The representative of Oman said he had in the past abstained in the voting on draft texts on the small arms problem, because he believed that the primary responsibility for dealing with the issue belonged to national authorities. Also, past drafts had tended to focus on the ideas of only some members and actors in the international community. His Government believed that it was important to take the ideas and views of all members of the international community into account, especially with regard to an international conference. Overall, due to the noble purpose of the relevant draft texts, his delegation would this time vote in favour.

The representative of Sierra Leone said the importance which his Government attached to the need to curb the proliferation of arms, in general, was clearly demonstrated two months ago when his President signed the Ottawa Convention. That commitment would continue with the ratification of that Convention soon.

The representative of Mali announced a correction in the text on assistance to States for curbing the illicit traffic in small arms and collecting them (document A/C.1/53/L.7/Rev.1). He said the word "general" in the last line of the thirteenth preambular paragraph has been changed to "common" and the document number changes to A/C.1/53/L.7/Rev.2).

The CHAIRMAN announced that there was to be a separate vote on the fourth preambular paragraph of the draft text on small arms (document A/C.1/53/L.13/Rev.1), which reads:

"Reaffirming also the right of self-determination of all peoples, in particular peoples under colonial or other forms of alien domination or foreign occupation, and the importance of the effective realization of this right, as enunciated, inter alia, in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights on 25 June 1993, A/CONF.157/24 (Part I), Chap. III."

In explanation of vote before the vote, the representative of France said the debate on the small arms question in the Committee demonstrated the

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determination of the international community to tackle the problems created by the proliferation of those weapons. Many initiatives had facilitated progress on the regional level, a classical example being the moratorium in West Africa and the Inter-American Convention against the Manufacturing and Illicit Trafficking in Weapons, Munitions, Explosives and Other Related Materials.

She said her country supported all those regional steps and was itself playing an active part to tackle the problem within the United Nations system. She would join in the consensus on the draft on assistance to States for curbing the illicit traffic in small arms and in collecting them (document A/C.1/53/L.7) and had also co-sponsored another on the subject. Her country equally supported the idea of an international conference in 2001.

Unfortunately, she added, the presence of elements that were not relevant to the subject had prevented her delegation from co-sponsoring the draft on small arms (document A/C.1/53/L.13/Rev.1). She believed that those parts of the draft could be used to justify reprehensible activities that violated the peaceful settlement of disputes. For that reason, her delegation would abstain in the vote on that paragraph.

The representative of Pakistan, speaking in explanation of vote before the vote on the small arms text, said that he favoured efforts undertaken by the international community to control the illicit flow of small arms and their utilization in conflicts around the world. He was, therefore, favourably inclined to the decision in the draft to convene an international conference on the illicit arms trade in all its aspects.

His country upheld the two vital principles of the United Nations Charter, he said. First, the right of individual or collective self-defence. The transfer of arms for the purposes of individual or collective self-defence of nations was not illicit and was an inherent right. It was important to reaffirm that principle in the context of the draft. Equally important, he said, was the right to self-determination for people living under foreign or colonial occupation. If international law had denied those people the right to obtain the means with which to defend themselves and seek their liberty, there would not be so many nations sitting around the room. He could not understand why any country would be opposed to that fundamental principle. He would urge an affirmative vote on the paragraph regarding self-determination, as an essential component of international relations.

The representative of Israel said that he would vote in favour of the draft, but would abstain in the vote on the fourth preambular paragraph, concerning the right of self-determination, because he disagreed with its placement in the context of a draft resolution on small arms. His delegation had expressed its view on self-determination in discussion in the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural).

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It was announced that the following three countries had joined as co-sponsors to the draft: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia and Cameroon.

The Committee then approved the fourth preambular paragraph, concerning the right to self-determination, by a recorded vote of 127 in favour to none against, with 11 abstentions (Annex II).

The draft resolution on small arms (document A/C.1/53/L.13/Rev.1) as a whole was approved by a recorded vote of 136 in favour to none against, with 3 abstentions (Bahrain, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia) (Annex III).

The representative of the Russian Federation, speaking in explanation of vote, said that the small arms draft was both timely and useful. His country would participate in the important measures outlined in the draft. However, it could not support the draft, because of the inclusion of the fourth preambular paragraph, which was inappropriate and had weakened and distorted the text. He had been obliged to abstain in the vote on the preambular paragraph and on the draft resolution as a whole.

The representative of Norway, also speaking in explanation of vote, said he had supported the draft, owing to the need for a comprehensive approach to controlling small arms and light weapons. An international conference might contribute to that goal, but it was necessary to agree on the objectives and scope before any decision was made concerning the date and venue. Governments must bear the primary responsibility for addressing that issue, and complementarity must be ensured between the proposed international conference and work already under way, including at the regional and subregional levels.

The representative of Egypt, speaking in explanation of the vote on the small arms text, said that following his abstention on the text in 1995, he had voted in favour of the draft for the last two years, as evidence of his country's commitment to all efforts leading to a safer world. While the work and recommendations of the governmental experts were encouraging, his country would continue to closely monitor the issue to ensure that it was dealt with in a just, balanced, non-discriminatory and comprehensive manner. Hopefully, it would not go down the "dead-end road" of the transparency issue, which had been handled in a highly selective manner.

He said that despite the focus on small arms, disarmament priorities remained the same, namely the elimination of nuclear weapons. Nuclear non-proliferation efforts did not replace concrete disarmament measures. "Micro-disarmament" should never overshadow the importance of "macro- disarmament". Furthermore, curbing the transfer and control of small arms should not compromise the basic right of countries to acquire those weapon for their legitimate self-defence.

In considering the final objective sought by the draft text, a number of salient facts should be considered, he said. The proliferation of small arms

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and light weapons did not cause conflict, but rather exacerbated it. The causes of military struggles were rooted in a number of complex political, social and ethnic factors. Regarding the right of self-determination, States needed to maintain authority over the control of small arms through the adoption of legislation, especially when the flow of those weapons led to terrorism or drug trafficking.

The representative of Cuba, speaking in explanation of vote, said that his country shared the concerns about the difficulties involved in the illicit trafficking of small arms, particularly in those countries that faced such problems and did not have the resources to deal with them. In that context, an international conference would be useful. The conference, however, should be convened only after a clear understanding regarding its objectives, scope and agenda was determined. For that reason, both in the preparatory process and during the conference, transparency must prevail and the opinions of all States must be taken into account.

He said that the tendency towards random studies of the issue were of some concern, especially in light of the meagre resources available to the United Nations. Thus, the greatest efficiency should prevail when organizing those studies. He had voted in favour of the fourth preambular paragraph because an explicit reference to the right to self-determination, in the context of that sensitive issue, was appropriate.

The Committee next turned to the draft resolution on the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (document A/C.1/53/L.20/Rev.1) and approved it without a vote, with Bosnia and Herzegovina joining as a co-sponsor.

The representative of Cuba, speaking in explanation of vote, said that his country supported the draft because it was very important for the Committee to send a clear political signal about the value it attached to that Convention, particularly to the amended Protocol II. The additional Protocol was potentially the most effective legal instrument by which the international community could solve the problems stemming from the indiscriminate and irresponsible use of anti-personnel mines. His Government was presently considering the possibility of acceding to Protocol II on the restricted use of mines.

The representative of Israel, speaking in explanation of vote, said he had joined consensus on the text. His Government had ratified the Convention in March 1995 and had participated in the review conference leading to the amended Protocol II. It was in the process of ratifying Protocol II, as well as the new Protocol on blinding laser weapons. He supported accession to the Convention by as many States as possible, particularly in the Middle East, in order to prevent human suffering and reduce the use of weapons with indiscriminate effects.

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He said it was necessary, however, to maintain a balance between the vital humanitarian concerns, on the one hand, and legitimate security concerns, on the other. Joint action by the international community would also contribute to mutual trust and confidence. Israel reiterated its call on all States in the region to accede to the Convention as a regional confidence- building step towards enhancing regional security.

The Committee then approved without a vote, the draft text on assistance to States for curbing the illicit traffic in small arms and collecting them (document A/C.1/53/L.7/Rev.2).

Speaking afterwards, the representative of Mozambique noted that his country was omitted as a co-sponsor and requested that the mistake be rectified.

The representative of Egypt, speaking on another draft resolution scheduled to be considered at a later date, said that due to the need to accommodate the interests of all those concerned, the co-sponsors of the draft text on the risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East (document A/C.1/53/L.21/Rev.1) undertook intensive consultations among themselves. As a result, a revised version (document A/C.1/53/L.21/Rev.2) would be presented to the Committee. He hoped that it would receive the support of all Members.

(Annexes follow)

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ANNEX I

Vote on Security Assurances for Non-Nuclear-Weapon States

The draft resolution on the conclusion of effective international arrangements to assure non-nuclear-weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons (document A/C.1/53/L.36) was approved by a recorded vote of 78 in favour to none against, with 48 abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Ukraine, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia.

Against: None.

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

Absent: Afghanistan, Albania, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Federated States of Micronesia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, Jordan, Kuwait, Lesotho, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Senegal, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Tajikistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe.

(END OF ANNEX I)

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ANNEX II

Vote on Fourth Preambular Paragraph on Small Arms

The fourth preambular paragraph, concerning the right to self- determination, of the draft resolution on small arms (document A/C.1/53/L.13/Rev.1) was approved by a recorded vote of 127 in favour to none against, with 11 abstentions, as follows:

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

Against: None.

Abstain: Azerbaijan, France, Georgia, India, Israel, Monaco, Romania, Russian Federation, Spain, United Kingdom, United States.

Absent: Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Belize, Burundi, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Federated States of Micronesia, Gabon, Gambia, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Lebanon,Lesotho, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Nicaragua, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda,

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Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Tajikistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Yemen.

(END OF ANNEX II)

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ANNEX III

Vote on Small Arms

The draft resolution on small arms (document A/C.1/53/L.13/Rev.1) was approved by a recorded vote of 136 in favour to none against, with 3 abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, 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, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyztan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, San Marino, 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, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against: None.

Abstain: Bahrain, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia.

15

Absent: Afghanistan, Albania, Belize, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Federated States of Micronesia, Gabon, Gambia, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Honduras, Lebanon, Lesotho, Mauritius, Nicaragua, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Syria, Tajikistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, Yemen.

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