INTERNATIONAL, EUROPEAN SECURITY THREATENED BY NATO AGGRESSION, BELARUS TELLS DISARMAMENT COMMISSION

13 April 1999

Press Release
DC/2636

INTERNATIONAL, EUROPEAN SECURITY THREATENED BY NATO AGGRESSION, BELARUS TELLS DISARMAMENT COMMISSION

19990413 Thirteen Speakers Address Commission in General Exchange of Views On Conventional Arms, Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones, General Assembly Special Session

International and European security was being undermined by the aggression of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) against Yugoslavia, the representative of Belarus told the Disarmament Commission this morning, as it continued its general exchange of views on the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones, the convening of a fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament, and the formulation of conventional arms control guidelines.

That illegal and unilateral use of force would not only damage confidence, but could lead to the re-emergence of the arms race, he continued. In light of the Balkans tragedy, an important contribution to disarmament would be the further establishment of nuclear weapon-free zones around the globe. As part of his Government's call for a nuclear-weapon-free world, it had proposed a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central and Eastern Europe -- a logical step towards nuclear disarmament on the continent.

Similarly, the representative of Kazakhstan said he attached paramount importance to the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia. Some progress had been made in drawing up the basic elements of a draft treaty on a Central Asian zone, which would strengthen the nuclear non-proliferation regime. The nuclear-weapon States should respect the zones and offer security assurances to their participants against the threat or use of nuclear weapons.

The representative of Egypt called for the establishment of a nuclear- weapon-free zone in the Middle East, emphasizing the need to create such zones in areas of tension. Moreover, he said, its establishment in the Middle East would arrest nuclear proliferation, strengthen the security of all States and serve as an important confidence-building measures towards a just and lasting comprehensive peace in the region.

* The meeting numbers for yesterday's Disarmament Commission should have been the 226th and 227th meetings.

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New visions and long-term strategies for further reducing nuclear weapons must be formulated, the Mongolian representative stressed. The Commission already had a good basis for designing guidelines for the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones. The welcome response by the General Assembly to his country's desire for nuclear-weapon-free status marked the first step towards the achievement of a novel approach for dealing with non-traditional circumstances.

Concerning a fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament -- being considered by the Commission for the fourth year -- the representative of Viet Nam said it was high time to use a special session to take stock of the developments of the past decades relating to the world's political and security environment and to work steadfastly towards building a new and safer world.

Similarly, the Peruvian representative said that, against the background of profound international change in the post-cold war era, the convening of a new special session on disarmament was imperative.

Statements were also made by the representatives of Canada, Mexico, Turkey, Argentina, Chile, Mali and Uzbekistan.

The Commission will meet again at 3 p.m. today to conclude its general exchange of views.

Commission Work Programme

The Disarmament Commission met this morning to continue its general exchange of views on the three topics being considered at its current substantive session: establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones; a fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament; and formulation of conventional arms control guidelines.

Statements

FRANCISCO A. TUDELA (Peru) said that, since the Commission met last spring, highly significant achievements had taken place, as well as certain discouraging events, such as the nuclear tests in South Asia and military actions without a specific mandate from the Security Council. Following the cold war and profound international change, it was imperative to convene a new special session on disarmament. The chairman's working paper of 1998 reflected the main concerns of all countries, even though it had not reflected all of their national positions.

With respect to nuclear-weapon-free zones, he said the Commission should formulate general principles and purposes, in line with the different regional initiatives, and avoid judging the feasibility and effectiveness of present zones. Considerable progress had been achieved so far. In the current session, the paper issued this week by the chairman of the working group could successfully guide the conclusion of the group's work.

Concrete measures that favoured the control and limitation of conventional weapons could contribute to reducing the number of conflicts and preventing their resurgence, he said. Peru supported all measures to cope with the problem of small arms and light weapons, presently the main components of most armed conflicts. Peru was now taking specific measures in that regard, jointly and with the support of the guarantor countries of the Rio de Janeiro Protocol. For example, Peru and Ecuador were eliminating mines from certain areas of their common border. His Government had also adopted legislation to deal with the ownership and transfers of weapons by civilians.

The contribution of regional disarmament to global disarmament was more significant than ever, he went on. Regional advances were made within a global evolution aimed at general and complete disarmament under effective international control. His country believed that the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean played a special role in disarmament efforts, as a tool for interaction. As such, his Government would make an annual voluntary contribution of $30,000 to cover the operating costs of the Centre.

ALYAKSANDR SYCHOV (Belarus) said that over the last decade the international community had managed to rethink the sad experience of the arms

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race and weighty results had been achieved in disarmament. The unlimited extension of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and others indicated that a broader spectrum of disarmament was now on the table, and there were fewer forbidden subjects. Several treaties reduced military threats, among them: the additional Protocol of 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), the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction (Ottawa Convention) and the preparation in Europe of a treaty on conventional, light and small arms, reduced military threats.

The timing of recent developments was itself evidence that the disarmament process had become reliable and was gradually advancing, he continued, and Belarus had made an active practical contribution regarding nuclear and conventional weapons. Today, the world was witnessing an undermining of international and European security because of the aggression by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) against Yugoslavia. That illegal and unilateral use of force would not only damage confidence, but could lead to the re-emergence of the arms race. The lessons of history showed that peace and security could not be achieved through the threat or use of force. At the foundation of peace was confidence and the peaceful settlement of disputes, as laid down in the United Nations Charter.

In light of the Balkans tragedy, an important contribution to disarmament would be the further establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones, he said. New initiatives for such zones, as well as those proposed earlier, were a reflection of the gradual advance to a nuclear-free world and to stronger non-proliferation regimes and greater global security. His country was striving to see greater mutual understanding and confidence in Central Europe. The President of Belarus had proposed a nuclear-weapon-free zone for Central and Eastern Europe -- a logical step towards nuclear disarmament in Europe. The final document on nuclear-weapon-free zones needed work in the relevant Commission working group, but the preparatory document provided a good basis for that work.

Among other issues requiring the Commission's consideration and solution was the fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament, he said. His country had supported the resolution of the General Assembly on the session, while understanding the complex problems that remained to be solved. The session's agenda should be balanced -- including both nuclear and conventional weapons and also zones. It should also allow discussion on strengthening international security, confidence-building measures and the role of the United Nations in disarmament. It should develop practical plans for disarmament into the twenty-first century. Last year, the Commission was close to consensus on the item, but a lack of time had meant that not all aims had been discussed. He hoped it would proceed at the current session.

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The question of armaments control was specially important, he said. Global security and peace would not be achieved by growing arms budgets, but through their reduction and transparency. He supported the preparation of guidelines on conventional weapons control and limits on their spread. Its experts had taken an active part in working groups created by General Assembly resolutions 52/38 G and 52/38 J. He hoped their recommendations would promote success in the Commission. Preventive strategies were also important, such as controls on stockpiling and the transfer of weapons.

MARINA LAKER (Canada) said the Disarmament Commission increased awareness, identified principles and offered guidelines to facilitate achievement of its goals. That was especially important when it came to nuclear-weapon-free zones. Canada supported such zones consistent with the Charter, international law and established criteria. They must be freely arrived at among States concerned to contribute to regional security, and the support of the five nuclear-weapon States for them was essential. Her Government had contributed a working paper on zones in 1997, and had co-sponsored the resolution at the Assembly's fifty- third session on the proposed Central Asian nuclear-weapon-free zone.

Consensus on the fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament was necessary for it to have a significant impact on the international community, she said. The Commission itself could only succeed to the extent that Member States were willing to consider new perspectives in the search for common ground. She regretted the opportunities lost in the previous session, but looked forward to discussing ways to make the special session further common goals.

The consolidation of peace was important to Canada, she said, and it was impressed by the work of the Department of Disarmament Affairs and the various consultative mechanisms introduced in recent years. The importance of the Commission in informing the Department's work, increasing awareness of issues within the United Nations system, and identifying principles and guidelines could not be overstated. It also recognized the contribution of the group of interested Member States.

Canada's Foreign Minister had said there was a need for the international community to rethink its affairs in the new political environment, she said. Canada was focusing on human security and the importance of minimizing the "civilianization" of conflict. Human security was important to initiatives such as the Ottawa Convention. Efforts to strengthen nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament could only increase the security and well-being of tens of millions of people.

AKMARAL KH. ARYSTANBEKOVA (Kazakhstan) said that the primary task in disarmament was to strengthen the international regime for the non-proliferation of all weapons of mass destruction. The basis of that regime consisted of the NPT, the 1995 decision to indefinitely extend that Treaty, the CTBT and the

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Conventions on chemical and biological weapons. In the field of nuclear disarmament, the tasks of reducing nuclear arsenals and concluding a treaty banning the production of fissile material were vital and could be achieved only through constructive and purposeful dialogue.

The need to halt nuclear-weapon tests was universally acknowledged, she said. Renouncing all nuclear weapons had been a natural choice for her country, which had experienced the disastrous effects of nuclear testing. Further progress along the road of arms limitation and reduction would strengthen international security and stability at both the regional and global levels. As a party to the NPT, her country believed that nuclear- weapon-free zones, established on the basis of arrangements freely arrived at among the States of the region concerned, were important mechanisms for strengthening the international non-proliferation regime. The nuclear Powers should respect such zones and offer security assurances to participants in them.

She said her country attached paramount importance to the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia. A certain degree of progress had been made in drawing up the basic elements of a draft treaty on a Central Asian zone, which surely would strengthen the nuclear non-proliferation regime. Cooperation should be developed in the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and the environmental rehabilitation of territories suffering from radioactive contamination. Kazakhstan would participate consistently and constructively in efforts to establish a nuclear-weapon-free zone in its region.

Issues relating to the role of conventional armed forces and armaments in maintaining peace and strategic stability were particularly important, she said. Given the multilateral nature of strategic stability, her country believed that the process of the radical reduction of conventional weapons must be both regional and global in nature. The success of that objective would contribute to general and complete disarmament. Confidence-building measures, the demobilization and reintegration of former combatants, demining and conversion were important prerequisites for maintaining and consolidating peace and security, and social and economic development.

She said that transparency in the control and limitation of conventional weapons would prevent destabilization from the build-up of armaments or their excessive concentration in any State. She appreciated the work of the Panel of Governmental Experts on Small Arms and hoped that early agreement would be reached on guiding principles during the current Commission session. The illicit traffic in small arms, an increasingly acute problem, must be halted. While not a primary cause of conflict, arms deliveries fuelled them. The control of conventional weapons and their distribution must be strengthened and, in that context, her country had supported the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, as an important component of such control.

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Turning to the question of convening a fourth special session, she said the documents of the Commission reflected some narrowing of differences between the various positions of States, and were a good basis for constructive consideration of that item. There were still a number of issues requiring in-depth discussion, but she hoped the reconciliation of differences would prevail over the remaining divergent approaches. It was important to achieve consensus regarding the objectives and agenda of a special session. The Commission must continue to play its unique role in the disarmament machinery, in order to contribute to the ongoing process of achieving sustainable disarmament.

ISMAIL KHAIRAT (Egypt) said that the task during the current Disarmament Commission session was the achievement of consensus on the three issues before it. That work was of paramount importance, as those three items would be discussed there for the last time. The Assembly had chosen to include the fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament in the Commission's work for a fourth year. That decision, adopted without a vote, demonstrated overwhelming support for the special session.

He said his country was unequivocal in its support for the session, based on its recognition of the need to consider changes in the post-cold war period and a new order based on cooperation, not confrontation, thus creating an atmosphere for disarmament. The first special session should act as model for the fourth special session. Its final document listed issues that should form the basic programme of the fourth special session. The positive will of all States, including the nuclear States, was required.

The discussion of nuclear-weapon-free zones in the Commission should not be limited to guidelines, he continued, but should extend to discussion of practical efforts for the further advancement of zones, notably the proposed Middle East zone. Such a zone would arrest nuclear proliferation, strengthen the security of all States, and be an important confidence-building measure towards a just and lasting comprehensive peace. The resolution introduced by Egypt on such a zone had been annually adopted by the General Assembly since 1974. The Cairo adoption of the Africa Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba) emphasized the need to establish zones in areas of tension. That Israel was the only State in the region not party to the NPT was an evident cause of alarm in the Middle East. That must be addressed in the relevant working group's deliberation and reflected in any outcome, as it was in clear defiance of the whole non-proliferation regime.

The item on the Commission's agenda concerning guidelines for conventional arms control must be approached carefully to avoid duplicating the work of the Panel of Governmental Experts established by the Secretary-General, he said. Disarmament measures under the item should be focused on post-conflict efforts for the consolidation of peace. Those touched on various aspects of the work of the United Nations as a whole, especially in transitional areas where peace

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had not yet been established. There was room to draw practical experience from past and present peacekeeping missions, but it would seem sensible for the Commission to restrict its consideration to disarmament and keep its distance from areas not within its competence.

PHAM QUANG VINH (Viet Nam) said the current session was taking place during a very complicated juncture in history. A century of bloody and devastating wars was about to end. A new century and millennium was being ushered in, while the world was experiencing a time of uncertainty and anxiety. Many of the opportunities opened up by the end of the cold war had been lost. Wars and conflicts continued, and in certain quarters of the globe military alliances, which should have been of little use after the cold war, had been further strengthened. That was not a welcome development. Greater efforts were needed to advance the cause of disarmament.

As stated on many occasions, his country strongly supported the early convening of a special session on disarmament, he continued. The Commission should strive to reach agreement on the agenda and timing of the special session, but the actual preparations should be the work of the preparatory committee, which should be initiated as soon as possible. Past special sessions devoted to disarmament had made valuable contributions to the control of arms and disarmament and to greater global security. It was high time to take stock of the developments of the past decades relating to the world's political and security environment and to work steadfastly towards building a new and safer world.

He said his country supported a balanced agenda to facilitate disarmament efforts in both conventional weapons and weapons of mass destruction. Priorities, however, should be given to nuclear disarmament. Apart from the traditional nuclear-weapons-related issues, others must be considered, including critical testing and designs to develop theatre missiles, which might trigger a new arms race. Recent developments in the area of nuclear proliferation had further underlined that need. The end of the cold war had made it wholly unjustifiable to maintain stockpiles of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction.

Lasting peace and security could only be based on a premise of equality, he said. It was unfair and unsustainable for a small number of States to maintain virtually absolute superiority, while the majority of Member States had to live with insecurity and the threat of annihilation. It was, therefore, imperative for the world community to adopt a new disarmament agenda, particularly for nuclear disarmament. That should be the overall objective of the General Assembly's special session.

Turning to the other agenda items, he said that his delegation expected the Commission to finalize the guidelines on conventional arms control at the current session. The issue of small arms should be addressed in a comprehensive manner, which integrated aspects of illicit smuggling, transparency and the right

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of nations to equip themselves for their legitimate self-defence. On the subject of nuclear-weapon-free zones, he called on the nuclear-weapon States to promptly sign the Protocol to the South-East Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zone Treaty (Bangkok Treaty), to which his country was a party.

GUSTAVO ALBIN (Mexico), speaking on behalf of the Rio Group, said that the three substantive topics on the Commission's agenda provided a new opportunity for progress in the disarmament field, and for strengthening the multilateral disarmament machinery. The issue of nuclear-weapon-free zones was of particular relevance to the Rio Group, which had supported the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco) and had created a permanent committee to bring about its full entry into force. Latin America and the Caribbean was a zone free from nuclear weapons and, as such, it had a fundamental role to play in promoting instruments that regulated the production and transfer of weapons of mass destruction.

On the formulation of guidelines on conventional arms control, he said the Rio Group shared a commitment to promote disarmament by refining regional confidence- and security-building measures and by increasing cooperation among States. The Inter-American Convention against the Illicit Production and Traffic in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives and Other Materials had contributed significantly in the hemisphere to the goal of preventing the illicit arms trade and promoting disarmament. The Commission should conclude its consideration of the second substantive item by adopting guidelines on conventional arms control, with special reference to the consolidation of peace in post-conflict situations.

Turning to the fourth special session on disarmament, he said that the adoption by consensus of General Assembly resolution 53/77 AA had made it possible for the Disarmament Commission to, once again, have on its agenda the possibility of carrying out negotiations towards reaching agreement on the objectives and agenda of the special session. The conditions existed for a substantive review of achievements on all disarmament topics, as well as for defining future guidelines, with special emphasis on multilateral organs and the role to be played by the United Nations in the achievement of general and complete disarmament under strict and effective global control.

JARGALSAIKHANY ENKHSAIKHAN (Mongolia) said multilateral efforts towards disarmament must be intensified. The current session had an important role to play, particulary in completing discussion of the items on its agenda. Bearing in mind progress made at the last session and given political will, it would be possible to adopt guidelines and recommendations on all the items. The future role of the Commission would depend on success at the current session.

On weapons of mass destruction, there was an urgent need for the CTBT to enter into force, he said. The strengthening of the NPT, the conclusion of a fissile materials cut-off treaty and a verification regime for the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development and Stockpiling of Bacteriological

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(Biological) Weapons and on Their Destruction (Biological Weapons Convention) were also needed. Early ratification by the Russian Federation of the 1993 Strategic Arms Limitation and Reduction Treaty (START II) and its entry into force was important, as was the NPT Review Conference next year.

His Government supported the fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament, he said. It must assess past performance and formulate a new vision and long-term strategies for further reduction and elimination of nuclear weapons, weapons of mass destruction and for control and elimination of some categories of conventional weapons. Given the political will, and mindful that Commission was not a substitute for a preparatory conference for the special session, consensus should be possible.

The draft paper by the chairman of the relevant working group formed a good basis for consideration of guidelines and recommendations for the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones, he said. The Assembly's resolution welcoming Mongolia's nuclear-weapon-free status marked the first step towards creating that status. Mongolia's situation was exceptional, courtesy of its geographical location, but its status represented a novel and creative approach for dealing with non-traditional circumstances and demonstrated the importance of the cooperation of neighbouring States. During negotiations on the status, the parties had come to understand that, since nuclear-weapon-free status was only one component of the security of a State, that status would be more credible if overall security was ensured and internationally recognized.

His country shared the legitimate concern of many States over increases in the arms trade and the spread of conventional weapons, he said. Statistics revealed that unrestricted trade in arms lead to a proliferation of small arms, especially in areas of conflict. Since 1990, the deaths of more than 4 million people were the result of the use of small and light arms in conflicts. Mongolia attached great importance to reduction and even elimination of certain conventional weapons, and their reduction should be carried out, bearing in mind the security needs of States.

The entry into force of the Ottawa Convention was a source of satisfaction, he said. The United Nations Register of Conventional Arms should be strengthened, as transparency regarding military budgets promoted confidence. The working paper for the relevant working group would enable the Commission to finalize guidelines for conventional arms control/limitation and disarmament at the current session.

MURAT S. ESENLI (Turkey) said his country was committed to the goal of general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control. That call should be pursued with realism through a balanced approach encompassing steps relating to both nuclear and conventional arms. Success in disarmament and arms control initiatives depended primarily on the creation of a political atmosphere that generated confidence. In order for such measures to be effective, they must provide for undiminished security for the countries

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concerned, without upsetting the global strategic balance. They must also provide for adequate verification and greater transparency, which were two fundamental and indispensable disarmament principles.

He said his country had traditionally supported the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones, where possible and practically feasible, since such zones had a direct bearing on the security of States within those defined regions and in the existing global security balance. The impetus for the establishment of such zones should necessarily come from all countries of the proposed zone, and the principle of undiminished security should be strictly observed. In that respect, he welcomed efforts to create a nuclear-weapon- free zone in Central Asia -- which was moving forward with the unanimous support of all States of the region, and of the global community.

Small arms and light weapons were imposing heavy tolls on human life, security and sustainable development, he said. As the Secretary-General had stated in his last report on the work of the Organization, 90 per cent of those killed or wounded in conflicts involving light weapons were civilians. The report of the Secretary-General on small arms was an important and comprehensive contribution to the treatment of that subject. Although the connection between drug trafficking and the illicit small arms trade was mentioned in passing in the report, that question should be dealt with more extensively. It would also be advisable to include a category on small arms in the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms. He said his country was fully conscious of the human suffering and casualties caused by the irresponsible and indiscriminate use of anti- personnel landmines. The security situation around Turkey, however, was distinctly different from that faced by proponents of the Ottawa Convention. That situation, plus the indiscriminate use of mines by terrorist organizations, precluded Turkey from signing the Convention at present, but it kept an open mind for an eventual ban achieved in stages. His country had put into effect a national moratorium in 1996 banning the sale and transfer of anti-personnel landmines. As a renewed expression of its determination in that regard, Turkey extended that moratorium for another three years and had also developed a number of bilateral initiatives to keep common borders free from those weapons and prevent their future use.

Disarmament and non-proliferation, in light of the changing international security environment, deserved a fresh and objective look, he said. Thus, the Commission must seek agreement on a realistic disarmament agenda for the next millennium. A fourth special session on disarmament should not simply provide another interactive forum where entrenched positions were espoused. Rather, it should provide a conducive environment capable of yielding concrete results. While fully aware of the status of the Commission as a deliberative -- and not negotiating -- body, he hoped the current session would produce recommendations and guidelines that would serve as useful tools in the fields of both nuclear and conventional weapons.

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GABRIELA MARTINIC (Argentina) said that as the new millennium drew near there were still pending tasks on disarmament. The international community remained preoccupied with issues of risk, because those jeopardized the internal security of States and regional and global security. There had been considerable encouraging progress made in the past decade. It was time now for the international community to lay rhetoric to rest and increase its efforts for disarmament.

The end of the cold war required that United Nations organs be adapted to cope with the new circumstances, she continued. The Commission's nature was such that it provided a suitable context within which the possibility of progress in disarmament could be explained. The working papers on nuclear- weapon-free zones and on guidelines on conventional weapons were greatly appreciated. They would contribute to the search for conclusions and recommendations and she would support efforts to arrive at consensus language.

RAIMUNDO GONZALES (Chile) said the Commission had a special part to play as a deliberative organ -- examining topics in depth. It had not always done that, but the possibility of it and the universal nature of the Commission were important. Chile was committed to the Rio Group's reaffirmation of the need to strengthen multilateral organizations, especially the United Nations, to contribute to peace, security and development.

On the fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament, Chile supported the position of the non-aligned movement. It was imperative that consensus be achieved to give substantive content to the special session, the holding of which had been approved in a series of General Assembly resolutions. To move beyond the present impasse on the agenda and dates, it might be useful to create an informal group to establish minimal terms of reference. The content of the agenda would have to reflect the far- reaching changes that had occurred on the international stage, developments in disarmament and emerging topics. In that regard, new creative contributions from non-governmental organizations could be channelled into the process.

The establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones was one of the cornerstones of disarmament, he said. His Government believed there was a need to consolidate existing weapon-free zones and support new ones. The recognition, by the international community, of the emergence of a southern hemisphere and adjacent areas free of nuclear weapons was significant, as the area brought together the concerns of non-nuclear-weapon States that covered half the world.

Regulation of the international shipping of nuclear waste and fuels was important, he said. Chile supported every initiative to strengthen standards, and States that shipped nuclear materials must provide appropriate guarantees to those potentially affected. Those should include assurances that the IAEA

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transport regulations were being taken into account.

His country also believed in greater transparency on conventional weapons and had made its defence policy explicit, he said. It had used confidence-building measures and transparency in the region to promote a regional security that was forward-looking and dealt with non-conventional threats as humanitarian issues. The Commission must conclude its guidelines on conventional weapons.

MOCTAR OUANE (Mali) said that the Commission was at a crossroads. Its relevance and contribution to the work of disarmament, as well as its role of reinforcing international peace and security, no longer needed to be illustrated. Yet, in order to preserve its credibility, it must succeed in adopting concrete recommendations on the three agenda items. The question of disarmament was arousing particular interest throughout the world. The Commission must take full advantage of that situation, in order to advance the disarmament agenda on all fronts. The rationalization of its work was a burning necessity.

He underlined the special importance his country attached to the question of nuclear-weapon-free zones on the basis of arrangements freely arrived at among States of the region concerned. Mali had already ratified the Treaty of Pelindaba, and was convinced that the spread of such zones throughout the world would contribute significantly to international peace and security.

He said his country supported the convening of a fourth special session on disarmament. On the eve of a new era, it was important for the international community to take stock of the international security and disarmament situation, in order to provide itself with subsequent plans of action. The spirit of consensus should prevail, in order to conclude consideration of that item. In that respect, he supported the working document issued by the chairman of the working group on that item.

The maintenance of arsenals beyond the needs of national defence and security threatened national, regional and international peace, he said. Thus, he underlined the importance of preventing illicit arms traffic, in particular traffic in weapons and small arms. In 1994, Mali's President obtained special assistance from the Secretary-General to study the ways and means of preventing the proliferation of small arms in the Sahelio-Sahelian subregion. The response was spectacular, and a resolution in 1994 entitled "Assistance to States for the Cessation of the Illicit Circulation and Collection of Small Weapons" emerged. The adoption in Abuja in 1998 of a moratorium on the manufacture, import and export of light weapons in West Africa constituted another significant step forward in the fight against the accumulation, proliferation and use of those weapons.

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He drew attention to other initiatives, among them the recent adoption of an action plan, which defined nine areas of focus, including the development of a culture of peace and the creation of a regional register on light weapons. All had reflected the determination of the six States of the West African community to prevent the proliferation of small arms in their subregion, he said, thereby creating a propitious environment for economic and social development.

ALISHER VOHIDOV (Uzbekistan) said the 1999 Commission session was being held under heightened understanding of the international community on disarmament issues. The session was additionally significant because it was one of last of the millennium, and to move in a dignified way into the next century, the Commission must set itself lofty aims and achieve results.

In recent years, the issue of nuclear-weapon-free zones had been firmly established on the international disarmament agenda, he said. It was now widely recognized that their creation was an important instrument in non- proliferation and disarmament and that they promoted international and regional peace and security. They would be fundamental to the review of the NPT in the year 2000. The process to establish the Central Asian nuclear- weapon-free zone was progressing. Expert groups had held intensive and substantive consultations with both international organizations and experts from nuclear-weapon States, and as a result the regional players were closer to agreement on all fundamental elements of a treaty.

The most recent expert meeting had been held in February in Tashkent, he said, and had been highly productive. Representatives of States had agreed to continue consultations and maintain dialogue, and the next meeting would be held from 27 to 30 April in Geneva. To achieve the successful functioning of a Central Asian nuclear-weapon-free zone, it would be necessary to create international measures relating to non-proliferation, environmental safety of nuclear raw materials and the outflow of nuclear materials. He was, therefore, very satisfied with the Assembly resolution supporting the importance of the zone and calling on all States to support its creation.

There had been considerable achievements in disarmament in the last ten years, he said. His Government had a desire to make a genuine contribution to non-proliferation, environmental protection, global stability and security. It had signed many relevant nuclear protection treaties and supported their strengthening. As an initiator of the Central Asian nuclear-weapon-free zone proposal, it felt responsible for supporting the strengthening of nuclear non- proliferation.

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