PROLIFERATION OF ‘NON-STRATEGIC’ NUCLEAR WEAPONS, NEW AGENDA FOR DISARMAMENT AMONG ISSUES, AS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ADOPTS 52 FIRST COMMITTEE TEXTS

Fifty-eighth General Assembly

Plenary

71st Meeting* (PM)

PROLIFERATION OF ‘NON-STRATEGIC’ NUCLEAR WEAPONS, NEW AGENDA FOR DISARMAMENT

AMONG ISSUES, AS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ADOPTS 52 FIRST COMMITTEE TEXTS

Calls for 2004 Review Conference of Mine-Ban Convention;

Also Debates UN Information and Communication Technologies Strategy

Concerned about the proliferation risk of non-strategic nuclear weapons and of their early, pre-emptive, unauthorized or accidental use, the General Assembly today stressed the need for the nuclear-weapon States that possessed such weapons not to increase the number or types deployed and not to develop new types or rationalizations for their use, as it acted on resolutions and decisions on the recommendation by its First Committee (Disarmament and International Security).

By further terms of that resolution, one of 52 texts adopted today, the Assembly called for the prohibition of those types of non-strategic nuclear weapons that had already been removed from the arsenals of some nuclear-weapon States and the development of transparency mechanisms to verify their elimination.  It called on the Russian Federation and the United States to formalize their presidential nuclear initiatives into legally binding instruments and to initiate talks on further such reductions.

The resolution which was presented by the New Agenda Coalition (Egypt, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, Sweden and Brazil) was adopted by a recorded vote of 128 in favour to 4 against (France, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, United States) with 43 abstentions (For details of the vote, see Annex XVI.).

A recorded vote was requested for 23 of 52 Committee texts, including separate votes on several.  Most of those texts concerned nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction.  The 29 consensus texts were largely in the areas of the disarmament machinery, confidence-building, and related disarmament and international security matters.  The voting pattern, once again, reflected general agreement on the fundamental disarmament and non-proliferation goals, with substantial disagreements remaining on the ways to achieve them.

Another resolution of the New Agenda Coalition, entitled “Towards a nuclear-weapon-free world:  a new agenda”, first tabled in 1998, was adopted by a recorded

vote of 133 in favour to 6 against (France, India, Israel, Pakistan, United Kingdom, United States), with 38 abstentions (Annex XVIII).

By the terms of that wide-ranging text, the Assembly called on all States to refrain from any action that could lead to a new nuclear arms race or that could negatively impact nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, and to fulfil all their obligations under international treaties and law in the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation field.

Prior to approving the resolution as a whole, a separate recorded vote was taken on preambular paragraph 20, which expresses concern that the development of missile defences could impact negatively on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation and lead to a new arms race on earth and outer space, and stresses that no steps should be taken that would lead to the weaponization of outer space.  The Assembly decided to retain the paragraph by a vote of 128 in favour to 6 against (Australia, Israel, Japan, Federated States of Micronesia, United Kingdom, United States), with 41 abstentions (Annex XVII).

According to a new United States-led resolution, adopted without a vote, the Assembly, expressing grave concern over both existing threats to international peace and security and new threats that have become manifest in the post-September 11, 2001 period, requested the Secretary-General, within existing resources, to seek the views of Member States on the issue of improving the effectiveness of the methods of work of the First Committee.

Another new draft resolution entitled “Confidence-building measures in the regional and subregional context” was adopted by a recorded vote of 73 in favour to 48 against, with 46 abstentions.  By its terms, the Assembly urged strict compliance with bilateral, regional and international agreements to which the contending States were parties, as well as the maintenance of military balance between States in regions of tension consistent with the principle of undiminished security at the lowest level of armaments (Annex VII).

Under a related text, the Assembly, convinced that conventional arms control needed to be pursued primarily in the regional and subregional context, since most threats to peace and security in the post-cold war era arise mainly among States in the same region or subregion, decided to give urgent consideration to the issues involved and ask the Conference on Disarmament to consider the formulation or principles that could serve as a framework for regional agreements on conventional arms control.  It was adopted by a vote of 172 in favour to 1 against (India), with 1 abstention (Bhutan) (Annex VI).

Acting without a vote on a further text, the Assembly stressed that sustained efforts were needed, within the framework of the Conference on Disarmament and under the umbrella of the United Nations, to make progress on the entire range of disarmament issues.  It called on States to conclude agreements, wherever possible, for nuclear non-proliferation, disarmament and confidence-building measures at the regional and subregional levels.

For the second consecutive year, the Assembly adopted an Indian-led resolution expressing deep concern at the growing risk of linkages between terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, particularly at the fact that terrorists might seek to acquire those weapons.  Acting without a vote, the Assembly urged Member States to take and strengthen national measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring mass destruction weapons, their delivery means and materials and technologies related to their manufacture.

Under another resolution submitted by India on reducing nuclear danger, the Assembly, considering that the hair-trigger alert of nuclear weapons carried unacceptable risks of unintentional or accidental use of nuclear weapons, which would have catastrophic consequences for all humankind, called for a review of nuclear doctrines and, in that context, immediate and urgent steps to reduce the risks of unintentional and accidental use of nuclear weapons.  It was adopted by a vote of 114 in favour to 47 against, with 17 abstentions (Annex XII).

Convinced that a multilateral, universal and binding agreement prohibiting the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons would contribute to the elimination of the nuclear threat, the Assembly would reiterate its request to the Conference on Disarmament to commence negotiations, in order to reach agreement on a nuclear weapons convention, according to another nuclear-related resolution.  It was adopted by a vote of 118 in favour to 46 against, with 13 abstentions (Annex XXVIII).

Another resolution on nuclear disarmament had the Assembly urge the nuclear-weapon States to immediately stop the qualitative improvement, development, production, and stockpiling of nuclear warheads and their delivery systems.  It also urged them to, as an interim measure, immediately de-alert and deactivate their nuclear weapons and to further reduce the operational status of their nuclear-weapon systems. It took that action by a recorded vote of 112 in favour to 45 against, with 20 abstentions (Annex XXIV).

Expressing deep concern regarding the growing dangers posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and convinced that every effort should be made to avoid nuclear devastation, the Assembly invited the nuclear-weapon States to keep United Nations Members informed on their progress in the field of nuclear disarmament, according to a resolution entitled “A path to the total elimination of nuclear weapons”.  It was adopted by a vote of 164 in favour to 2 against (India, United States), with 14 abstentions (Annex XXV).

Convinced that the continuing existence of nuclear weapons threatened all humanity and that their use would have catastrophic consequences for all life on earth, the Assembly underlined, 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 in all its aspects under strict and effective control, under a text adopted by a vote of 124 in favour to 29 against, with 22 abstentions (Annex XI).

Prior to its adoption as a whole, a separate recorded vote was taken on the first operative paragraph, which underlined once again the unanimous conclusion of the Court that there exists an obligation to pursue in good faith and bring to a conclusion negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament in all its aspects under strict and effective international control.  The Assembly voted to retain that paragraph by a vote of 165 in favour to 4 against (Israel, France, Russian Federation, United States), with 3 abstentions (Georgia, United Kingdom, Portugal) (Annex X).

Reiterating that the cessation of nuclear-weapon test explosions or any other nuclear explosions constituted an effective nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation measure, the Assembly stressed the importance and urgency of signature and ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), without delay and conditions, to achieve its earliest entry into force, by a vote of 173 in favour to 1 against (United States), with 4 abstentions (Colombia, India, Mauritius, Syria) (Annex XXXI).

Several resolutions were adopted on existing nuclear-weapon-free zones or the quest for new ones.  Among them was a resolution on a nuclear-weapon-free southern hemisphere, by which the Assembly affirmed its conviction of the important role of nuclear-weapon-free zones in strengthening the nuclear non-proliferation regime and in extending the areas of the world that were nuclear-weapon-free.  With particular reference to the responsibilities of the nuclear-weapon States, it called on all States to support the nuclear disarmament process and work for the total elimination of all nuclear weapons.

That resolution was adopted by a recorded vote of 168 in favour to 3 against (France, United Kingdom, United States), with 8 abstentions (Bhutan, Federated States of Micronesia, Georgia, India, Israel, Marshall Islands, Russian Federation, Spain) (Annex XV).

Prior to its adoption as a whole, a separate vote was taken on the last three words of operative paragraph 5 -– “and South Asia”.  The Assembly voted to retain that phrase, which called on all States to consider all relevant proposals for the establishment of such zones, including those reflected in its resolutions on the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones in the Middle East and South Asia, by 159 in favour to 3 against (France, India, Pakistan) with 9 abstentions (Albania, Bhutan, Israel, Federated States of Micronesia, Myanmar, Russian Federation, Spain, United Kingdom, United States (Annex XIII).

Operative paragraph 5 as a whole, by which the Assembly would welcome the steps taken to conclude further nuclear-weapon-free zone treaties on the basis of arrangements freely arrived at among the States of the region concerned, and call upon all States to consider all relevant proposals including those reflected in its resolutions on the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones in the Middle East and South Asia, was adopted by a vote of 163 in favour to 2 against (France, India), with 9 abstentions (Bhutan, Federated States of Micronesia, Georgia, Israel, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Spain, United Kingdom, United States) (Annex XIV).

A resolution on the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East was adopted without a vote.  A related text on the risk of nuclear proliferation in that region, by which the Assembly called upon Israel to accede to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) without further delay and not to develop, produce, test or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons, and to renounce possession of nuclear weapons and to place all its unsafeguarded nuclear facilities under full-scope International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards, was adopted by a vote of 162 in favour to 4 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, United States), with 10 abstentions (Australia, Cameroon, Canada, Ethiopia, India, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu) (Annex XXX).

Prior to its adoption, a separate recorded vote was taken on preambular paragraph 6, which called on those remaining States not parties to the NPT to accede to it, thereby accepting an international legally binding commitment not to acquire nuclear weapons and to accept IAEA safeguards on all their nuclear activities.  The Assembly decided to retain that paragraph by a recorded vote of 162 in favour to 2 against (India, Israel), with 10 abstentions (Bhutan, Ethiopia, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Trinidad and Tobago, United States, Vanuatu) (Annex XXIX).

Three related texts were adopted without a vote on:  consolidation of the regime established by the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco), as orally amended; the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba); and establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia.

By a vote of 133 in favour to 6 against, (France, Israel, Monaco, Poland, United Kingdom, United States), with 38 abstentions, the Assembly decided to include the item on a United Nations conference to identify ways of eliminating nuclear dangers in the context of nuclear disarmament (Annex XXVI).

Convinced of the need for a comprehensive, balanced, and non-discriminatory approach towards missiles, as a contribution to international peace and security, and underlining the complexities involved in considering the issue, the Assembly took note of the Secretary-General’s relevant report and requested him to seek Member States’ views on the matter, under a resolution on missiles.  It did so by a vote of 113 in favour to 3 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, United States), with 57 abstentions (Annex V).

By a vote of 119 in favour to none against, with 58 abstentions, the Assembly reaffirmed the urgent need to reach an early agreement on effective international arrangements to assure non-nuclear-weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons (Annex III).

Also in the unconventional weapons category, the Assembly, acting without a vote, adopted a text on the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction (Biological Weapons Convention) and on the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction (Chemical Weapons Convention).

It adopted a resolution on the prevention of an arms race in outer space by a recorded vote of 174 in favour, to none against, with 4 abstentions (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, United States).  By its terms, the Assembly reaffirmed the importance and urgency of preventing such an arms race and the readiness of all States to contribute to that common objective (Annex IV).

Acting without a vote on conventional weapons issues, the Assembly requested the Secretary-General to undertake the necessary preparations to convene the First Review Conference of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel Mines and on Their Destruction (Ottawa Convention), from 19 November to 3 December 2004 and invited all Member States to examine the possibility of developing and adopting regional and subregional measures, as appropriate, to combat the illicit small arms trade.

It also called on all States that had not yet done so 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, its annexed Protocols, and the amendment of article I, which extends the Convention’s scope; and encouraged the establishment of national commissions in the Sahelo-Saharan countries to combat the small arms proliferation.

Five resolutions were adopted on the question of confidence-building measures, including transparency in armaments.  According to a draft on transparency, on which four separate votes were taken, the Assembly, taking the view that an enhanced level of transparency in armaments contributed greatly to confidence-building and security among States, reaffirmed its determination to ensure the effective operation of the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, and decided to adapt that instrument in conformity with the recommendations contained in the 2003 report of the Secretary-General.  Among those recommendations was the inclusion in the Register of Man-Portable Air-Defence Systems (MANPADS).

The resolution as a whole was adopted by a recorded vote of 150 in favour to none against, with 27 abstentions (Annex XXIII).

Prior to its adoption as a whole, three separate votes were taken on operative paragraph 2; operative paragraphs 3 and 8, and a sentence in operative paragraph 4, as a package; and operative paragraph 4, as a whole.

The Assembly voted to retain operative paragraph 2, which endorses the report of the Secretary-General on the Register and the recommendations of the expert group, by 153 in favour to none against, with 23 abstentions (Annex XX).  By a vote of 152 in favour to none against, with 23 abstentions, the Assembly decided to retain that package of provisions (Annex XXI).  It decided to retain operative paragraph 4, as a whole, by a recorded vote of 152 in favour to none against, with 22 abstentions (Annex XXII).

Acting without a vote in that category, the Assembly:  called on Member States to report annually, by 30 April, to the Secretary-General their military expenditures for the latest fiscal year for which data was available; decided to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-ninth session an item entitled “Verification in all its aspects, including the role of the United Nations in the field of verification”; reaffirmed its support for efforts aimed at promoting confidence-building measures at regional and subregional levels, in order to ease tensions and conflicts in Central Africa and to further peace, stability and sustainable development in the subregion.

Also by recorded vote, the Assembly reiterated its conviction that the participation of all permanent members of the Security Council and the major maritime users of the Indian Ocean in the work of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Indian Ocean was important and would greatly facilitate the development of a mutually beneficial dialogue to advance peace, security and stability in the Indian Ocean region.  That text was adopted by 130 in favour to 3 against (France, United Kingdom, United States), with 42 abstentions (Annex I).

The Assembly also reaffirmed that international disarmament forums should take fully into account relevant environmental norms in negotiating in treaties and agreements.  That text was adopted by a vote of 173 in favour to 1 against (United States), with 4 abstentions (Federated States of Micronesia, France, Israel, United Kingdom) (Annex IX).

By further recorded votes, the Assembly:  urged Member States to undertake multilateral negotiations with the participation of all interested States, in order to establish universally acceptable, non-discriminatory guidelines for international transfers of dual-use goods and technologies and high technology with military applications, by a vote of 106 in favour to 49 against, with 19 abstentions (Annex II); reaffirmed multilateralism as the core principle in negotiations in the area of disarmament and non-proliferation by 118 in favour to 12 against, with 46 abstentions (Annex VIII); and decided to include the item on the relationship between disarmament and development on its next provisional agenda by 177 in favour to 1 against (United States), with 2 abstentions  (Israel, Rwanda) (Annex XXVII).

By the terms of other texts adopted without a vote, the Assembly:  called upon Member States to further consider at multilateral levels existing and potential threats in that field, as well as possible measures to limit emerging threats without drastically compromising the free flow of information; invited Member States to enact or improve national legislation, regulations and procedures to exercise effective control over the transfers of arms, military equipment and dual-use goods and technology; and expressed grave concern regarding any use of nuclear wastes that would constitute radiological warfare and have grave implications for the national security of all States.

According to additional texts adopted by consensus, the Assembly:  decided to include the item on consolidation of peace through practical disarmament measures on its next provisional agenda and to consider it biannually in the future; decided to include the item on the Declaration on the Strengthening of International Security on its next provisional agenda; called on all States of the Mediterranean region to adhere to all the multilaterally negotiated legal instruments related to the field of disarmament and non-proliferation; and called for establishment, in the Conference on Disarmament, of an ad hoc committee to negotiate a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.

Concerning the disarmament machinery, texts were adopted by consensus today on:  reports of the Conference on Disarmament and the Disarmament Commission; United Nations Regional Centres for Peace and Disarmament; United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa; United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific; United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Latin America and the Caribbean, as orally amended; and the convening of the fourth special session on disarmament.

Consideration of a draft resolution on the illicit small arms trade, by which the Assembly would decide to convene a United Nations conference to review progress made in implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, was postponed, pending a decision on the programme budget implications by the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary).

Explanations of vote on the reports of the First Committee were made by the representatives of Cuba, France, Japan, Brazil, Singapore, Lithuania, and Costa Rica.  Oral amendments were tabled by the representatives of Cuba and Costa Rica.

Before concluding its work for today, the Assembly held a brief debate on information and communications technologies for development, during which the representatives of Peru (on behalf of the Rio Group), China, Tunisia, Pakistan, Malaysia and Cuba agreed that information and communications technologies had transformed the world tremendously over the past decade.  Emphasizing the importance of assisting developing countries to achieve all of the benefits available from those newly emerging technologies, they agreed that the use and exploitation of such technologies was indispensable to all strategies aimed at the elimination of poverty and ensuring sustainable economic growth.

Background

The General Assembly met this morning to take action on 19 reports of the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security).  Those reports contain 46 draft resolutions and seven draft decisions.

The Assembly was expected to first take up the report of the Committee on objective information on military matters, including transparency of military expenditures (document A/58/451), which contains one draft resolution.  The text would have the Assembly call on Member States to report annually, by 30 April, to the Secretary-General their military expenditures for the latest fiscal year for which data was available, using, preferably and to the extent possible, the United Nations system for the standardized reporting of military expenditures.  It would encourage them to submit nil returns, if appropriate. 

Among the draft’s several requests was that the Secretary-General, within existing resources, continue consultations with relevant international bodies, with a view to ascertaining requirements for adjusting the present instrument and to encourage wider participation, and to make recommendations based on necessary changes to the content and structure of that reporting system.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 28 October without a vote.

By a draft decision contained in the report on verification (document A/58/452), the Assembly would decide to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-ninth session an item entitled “Verification in all its aspects, including the role of the United Nations in the field of verification”.

The Committee approved the draft decision on 29 October without a vote.

The report concerning the implementation of the Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace (document A/58/453) contains a draft resolution that would have the Assembly reiterate its conviction that the participation of all permanent members of the Security Council and the major maritime users of the Indian Ocean in the work of the Ad Hoc Committee was important and would greatly facilitate the development of a mutually beneficial dialogue to advance peace, security and stability in the Indian Ocean region.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 29 October by a vote of 110 in favour to 3 against (France, United Kingdom, United States), with 42 abstentions.

According to the draft resolution contained in the report on the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba) (document A/58/454), the Assembly would call upon African States that had not yet done so to sign and ratify the Treaty as soon as possible.  The Assembly would also call upon the African States parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weaponsthat had not yet done so to conclude comprehensive safeguards agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

By a further term, the Assembly would express its appreciation to the nuclear-weapon States that had signed the Protocols that concerned them, and call upon those that had not yet ratified those Protocols to do so as soon as possible.  An additional provision would have the Assembly call upon States contemplated in Protocol III to the Treaty that had not yet done so to take all necessary measures to ensure the speedy application of the Treaty to territories for which they were, de jure or de facto, internationally responsible and that lay within the limits of the geographical zone established in the Treaty.

[The States contemplated in Protocol III of the Treaty are France and Spain.]

The Committee approved the draft decision on 4 November without a vote.

The draft resolution contained in the report on consolidation of the regime established by the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco) (document A/58/455) would have the Assembly welcome the fact that the Treaty was now in force for the sovereign States of the region and that that would be officially acknowledged by the XVIII General Conference of the Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America (OPANAL), to be held in Havana, Cuba, on 5 and 6 November.  The draft would also urge the countries of the region that had not yet done so to ratify the Treaty’s amendments, which were approved by the General Conference. 

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 27 October without a vote.

The report containing the draft decision on review of the implementation of the Declaration on the Strengthening of International Security (document A/58/456) would have the Assembly decide to include that item on its next provisional agenda.

The Committee approved the draft decision on 29 October without a vote.

According to the draft resolution contained in the report on developments in information and telecommunications in the context of international security (document A/58/457), the Assembly would call upon Member States to further consider, at multilateral levels, existing and potential threats in that field, as well as possible measures to limit emerging threats without drastically compromising the free flow of information.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 29 October without a vote.

By the draft resolution contained in the report on the role of science and technology in the context of international security and disarmament (document A/58/458), the Assembly would affirm that scientific and technological progress should be used for the benefit of all mankind to promote the sustainable economic and social development of all States and to safeguard international security, and that international cooperation in the use of science and technology through the transfer and exchange of technological know-how for peaceful purposes should be promoted.

It would urge Member States to undertake multilateral negotiations with the participation of all interested States, in order to establish universally acceptable, non-discriminatory guidelines for international transfers of dual-use goods and technologies and high technology with military applications. 

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 29 October by a vote of 94 in favour to 47 against, with 18 abstentions.

Under the terms of the draft resolution contained in the report on the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East (document A/58/459), the Assembly would urge all parties directly concerned to consider seriously taking the practical and urgent steps required to implement that proposal, and, as a means of promoting that objective, invite the countries concerned to adhere to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). 

It would call on the countries of the region that had not done so, pending the establishment of the zone, to agree to place all their nuclear activities under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.  It would also note 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 the zone. 

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 27 October without a vote.

The report on effective international arrangements to assure non-nuclear-weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons (document A/58/460) contains a draft resolution that would have the Assembly 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 Committee approved the draft resolution on 27 October by a vote of 98 in favour to 0 against, with 59 abstentions.

According to a draft resolution contained in the report on the prevention of an arms race in outer space (document A/58/461), the Assembly would reaffirm the importance and urgency of preventing such an arms race.

The Assembly would also reaffirm its recognition that:  the legal regime applicable to outer space did not, in and of itself, guarantee the prevention of an outer space arms race; the regime played a significant role in the prevention of an arms race in that environment; there was a need to consolidate and reinforce that regime and enhance its effectiveness; and it was important to comply strictly with existing agreements, both bilateral and multilateral.

It would call on all States, in particular those with major space capabilities, to contribute actively to the peaceful use of outer space and of the prevention of an arms race there and to refrain from actions contrary to that objective and to the relevant existing treaties in the interest of maintaining international peace and security and promoting international cooperation.

Additionally, the Conference on Disarmament would be invited to establish an ad hoc committee as early as possible during its 2004 session. 

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 27 October by a vote of 161 in favour to 0 against, with 3 abstentions (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, United States).

The report on general and complete disarmament (document A/58/462) contains 24 draft resolutions and 5 draft decisions.  The texts are listed in their expected order of consideration by the Assembly.

According to draft I, on the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, the Assembly would decide to convene a United Nations conference to review progress made in implementing the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, in New York, for a period of two weeks between June and July 2006.

The Assembly would also decide to hold a session of the preparatory committee for that conference in New York for a period of two weeks in January 2006, with a subsequent session if necessary.

By a further term, the Assembly would determine that it would be feasible to develop an international instrument to enable States to identify and trace, in a timely and reliable manner, illicit small arms and light weapons.  It would also decide to establish an open-ended working group to negotiate such an instrument.  That working group would hold an organizational session in New York on 3 and

4 February 2004.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 6 November by a vote of 162 in favour to 1 against (United States), with 0 abstentions.

The draft decision on a United Nations conference to identify ways of eliminating nuclear dangers in the context of nuclear disarmament would have the Assembly decide to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-ninth session an item dealing with such a conference.

The Committee approved the draft decision on 27 October by a vote of 104 in favour to 7 against (France, Germany, Israel, Monaco, Poland, United Kingdom, United States), with 40 abstentions.

Draft II, which deals with missiles, would have the Assembly, convinced of the need for a comprehensive, balanced, and non-discriminatory approach towards missiles, as a contribution to international peace and security, and underlining the complexities involved in considering the issue, take note of the Secretary-General’s relevant report and request him to seek Member States’ views on the matter.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 27 October by a vote of 90 in favour to 3 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, United States), with 59 abstentions.

According to draft III, on regional disarmament, the Assembly, convinced that endeavours by countries to promote regional disarmament would enhance the security of all States and reduce the risk of regional conflicts, would stress that sustained efforts were needed, within the framework of the Conference on Disarmament and under the umbrella of the United Nations, to make progress on the entire range of disarmament issues.  It would also call upon States to conclude agreements, wherever possible, for nuclear non-proliferation, disarmament and confidence-building measures at the regional and subregional levels. 

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 28 October without a vote.

The Assembly, convinced that conventional arms control needed to be pursued primarily in the regional and subregional context since most threats to peace and security in the post-cold war era mainly arose among States in the same region or subregion, would decide to give urgent consideration to the issues involved and ask the Conference on Disarmament to consider the formulation of principles that could serve as a framework for regional agreements on conventional arms control, according to draft IV, which concerns conventional arms control at the regional and subregional levels.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 28 October by a vote of 158 in favour to 1 against (India), with 1 abstention (Bhutan).

Draft V, on the prohibition of dumping of radioactive wastes, would have the Assembly 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.  It would also call upon all States to take appropriate measures with a view to preventing any dumping of nuclear or radioactive wastes that would infringe upon the sovereignty of States.

By a further term, it would appeal to all Member States, which had not yet taken the necessary steps to become party to the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, to do so as soon as possible.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 27 October without a vote.

The draft decision on the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia would have the Assembly decide to include that item on the agenda of its next session.

The Committee approved the draft decision on 27 October without a vote.

According to draft VI, on improving the First Committee, the Assembly, expressing grave concern over both existing threats to international peace and security and new threats that have become manifest in the post-11 September, 2001 period, would request the Secretary-General, within existing resources, to seek the views of Member States on the issue of improving the effectiveness of the methods of work of the Committee.

The Assembly would also ask the Secretary-General to prepare a report compiling and organizing the views of Member States on appropriate options, and submit the report to the General Assembly for consideration at its fifty-ninth session.

By a further term, the Assembly would decide to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-ninth session an item entitled “Improving the effectiveness of the methods of work of the First Committee”.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 5 November without a vote.

Draft VII, which concerns national control of transfer of arms, military equipment and dual-use goods and technology, would have the Assembly invite Member States to enact or improve national legislation, regulations, and procedures to exercise effective control over the transfers of arms, military equipment, and dual-use goods and technology, while ensuring that such measures were consistent with the obligations of States parties under international treaties.

The Assembly would also encourage States to provide, on a voluntary basis, information to the Secretary-General on their national legislation, regulations and procedures on such transfers, as well as the changes therein, and ask the Secretary-General to make that information accessible to Member States.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 30 October without a vote.

The draft decision on the consolidation of peace through practical disarmament measures would have the Assembly decide to deter consideration of that item to its next session and to consider it biannually in the future.

The Committee approved the draft decision on 29 October without a vote.

By the terms of draft VIII, on confidence-building measures in the regional and subregional context, the Assembly would urge strict compliance with bilateral, regional and international agreements to which States, which were involved in disputes, were parties.

The Assembly would also urge, in the context of confidence-building measures, the maintenance of military balance between States in regions of tension, consistent with the principle of undiminished security at the lowest level of armaments.

In a related provision, it would call on Member States to refrain from the use or threat of force in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter.  It would also call upon Member States that had not already done so to open consultations and dialogue in the regions of tension without preconditions. 

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 4 November by a vote of 68 in favour to 47 against, with 34 abstentions.

Draft IX, concerning the promotion of multilateralism in the area of disarmament and non-proliferation, would have the Assembly reaffirm multilateralism as the core principle in negotiations in the area of disarmament and non-proliferation, with a view to maintaining and strengthening universal norms and enlarging their scope.  It would also reaffirm multilateralism as the core principle in resolving disarmament and non-proliferation concerns.

The Assembly would urge the participation of all interested States in multilateral negotiations on arms regulation, non-proliferation and disarmament in a non-discriminatory and transparent manner, and underline the importance of preserving the existing agreements on arms regulation and disarmament, which constituted an expression of the results of international cooperation and multilateral negotiations in response to the challenges facing mankind. 

It would also call, once again, on all Member States to renew and fulfil their individual and collective commitments to multilateral cooperation as an important means of pursuing and achieving their common objectives in the area of disarmament and non-proliferation.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 5 November by a vote of

104 in favour to 10 against (Bulgaria, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom, United States), with 44 abstentions.

According to draft X, on the observance of environmental norms in the drafting and implementation of disarmament and arms control agreements, the Assembly would reaffirm that international disarmament forums should take fully into account the relevant environmental norms in negotiating treaties and agreements.  It would call upon States to adopt unilateral, bilateral, regional and multilateral measures so as to contribute to ensuring the application of scientific and technological progress in the framework of international security, disarmament and other related spheres, without detriment to the environment or to its effective contribution to attaining sustainable development. 

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 3 November by a vote of 156 in favour to 1 against (United States), with 4 abstentions (Federated States of Micronesia, France, Israel, United Kingdom).

The draft decision on the relationship between disarmament and development would have the Assembly decide to include that item in its next provisional agenda.

It was approved by the Committee on 29 October by a vote of 157 in favour to 1 against (United States), with 2 abstentions (France, Israel).

Draft XI, concerning a follow-up to the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons, would have the Assembly underline, once again, the unanimous conclusion of the ICJ that there existed an obligation to pursue in good faith and bring to a conclusion negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament in all its aspects under strict and effective control.

The Assembly would also call, once again, on all States to immediately fulfil that obligation by commencing multilateral negotiations 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.  It would ask all States to inform the Secretary-General of the efforts and measures they had taken to implement the present resolution and nuclear disarmament, and ask the Secretary-General to apprise the Assembly of that information at its next session.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 28 October by a vote of 104 in favour to 29 against, with 20 abstentions.

Prior to that action, the text’s first operative paragraph, by which the Assembly would underline once again the unanimous conclusion of the ICJ that there existed an obligation to pursue in good faith and bring to a conclusion negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament under strict and effective control, was approved by a vote of 140 in favour to 4 against (Democratic Republic of the Congo, Israel, Russian Federation, United States), with 5 abstentions (Belarus, Georgia, France, Portugal, United Kingdom).

Under the terms of draft XII, on reducing nuclear danger, the Assembly, considering that the hair-trigger alert of nuclear weapons carried unacceptable risks of unintentional or accidental use of nuclear weapons, would call for a review of nuclear doctrines and, in that context, immediate and urgent steps to reduce the risks of unintentional and accidental use of such arms.

The Assembly would also request the five nuclear-weapon States to take measures towards implementation of that provision and call upon all Member States to take the necessary measures to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons and to promote nuclear disarmament, with the objective of eliminating such arms.

The Secretary-General would be requested, among other things,  to intensify efforts and support initiatives that would contribute towards the full implementation of recommendations identified in the report of the Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters (document A/56/400) that would significantly reduce the risk of nuclear war.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 27 October by a vote of 99 in favour to 46 against, with 14 abstentions.

Draft XIII, which deals with measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction, would have the Assembly, deeply concerned by the growing risk of linkages between terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, call on all Member States to support international efforts to prevent terrorists from acquiring such weapons and their delivery means.

The Assembly would also urge Member States to take and strengthen national measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring such arms, their delivery means, and materials and technologies related to their manufacture.  It would invite them to inform the Secretary-General, on a voluntary basis, of measures taken in that regard.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 29 October without a vote.

According to draft XIV, concerning a nuclear-weapon-free southern hemisphere, the Assembly would affirm its conviction of the important role of nuclear-weapon-free zones in strengthening the nuclear non-proliferation regime and in extending the areas of the world that were nuclear-weapon-free.  With particular reference to the responsibilities of the nuclear-weapon States, it would call on all States to support the nuclear disarmament process and work for the total elimination of all nuclear weapons.

It would also welcome the continued contribution that the Antarctic Treaty and the Treaties of Tlatelolco, Rarotonga, Bangkok and Pelindaba were making towards freeing the southern hemisphere and adjacent areas covered by those Treaties from nuclear weapons.  It would call upon all concerned States to work together, in order to facilitate adherence to the protocols to nuclear-weapon-free zone treaties by all relevant States that had not yet done so. 

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 27 October by a vote of 146 in favour to 3 against (France, United Kingdom, United States), with 9 abstentions (Albania, Bhutan, Federated States of Micronesia, Georgia, India, Israel, Marshall Islands, Russian Federation, Spain).

Prior to that, two separate votes were taken.  In the first, the Assembly voted to retain the words “and South Asia” in operative paragraph 5, by 142 in favour to 2 against (India, Pakistan), with 11 abstentions.

Operative paragraph 5 as a whole, by which the Assembly would welcome the steps taken to conclude further nuclear-weapon-free zone treaties on the basis of arrangements freely arrived at among the States of the region concerned, and call upon all States to consider all relevant proposals, including those reflected in its resolutions on the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones in the Middle East and South Asia, was approved by a vote of 145 in favour to 1 against (India), with 11 abstentions.

The Assembly, concerned about the threat posed by non-strategic nuclear weapons owing to their portability, proximity to areas of conflict, and probability of pre-delegation in case of military conflict, and thus about the risk of proliferation and of early, pre-emptive, unauthorized or accidental use, would stress the need for an undertaking by the nuclear-weapon States that possessed such weapons not to increase the number or types of weapons deployed and not to develop new types of those weapons or rationalizations for their use, according to draft XV, on the reduction of non-strategic nuclear weapons.

The Assembly would also call for the prohibition of those types of non-strategic nuclear weapons that had already been removed from the arsenals of some nuclear-weapon States, and the development of transparency mechanisms for the verification of their elimination.  It would also call on the Russian Federation and the United States to formalize their presidential nuclear initiatives into legal, binding instruments and to initiate negotiations on further reductions of non-strategic nuclear weapons. 

In a related provision, it would stress the importance of enhancing special security and physical protection measures for the transport and storage of non-strategic nuclear weapons, their components and related materials through, among other things, placing such weapons in physically secure central storage sites, with a view to their removal and subsequent elimination by the nuclear-weapon States as part of the nuclear disarmament process to which they were committed under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). 

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 4 November by a vote of 118 in favour to 4 against (France, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, United States), with 41 abstentions.

Draft XVI, entitled “Towards a nuclear-weapon-free world:  a new agenda”, would have the Assembly call upon all States to refrain from any action that could lead to a new nuclear arms race or that could negatively impact nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.

It would also call on them to fulfil all their obligations under international treaties and international law in the field of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, and to pursue the full and effective implementation of the agreements reached at the 2000 NPT review conference.

Under a related term, the Assembly would call for the upholding and maintenance of the moratorium on nuclear-weapon-test explosions or any other nuclear explosions pending the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).  It would also underline the urgency of the entry into force of the CTBT in the context of the progress achieved in implementing the international monitoring system.

By a further term, the Assembly would call upon the nuclear-weapon States to implement the commitments made in the NPT, as well as in other nuclear disarmament or reduction agreements or initiatives, and to apply the principle of irreversibility by destroying their nuclear warheads and avoid keeping them in a state that lends itself to their possible redeployment.

It would also call upon the nuclear-weapon States to increase their transparency and accountability with regard to their nuclear weapon arsenals and their implementation of disarmament measures, and to undertake the necessary steps towards the seamless integration of all five nuclear-weapon States into a process leading to the total elimination of nuclear weapons.

The Assembly would also call upon the nuclear-weapon States to respect fully their existing commitments with regard to security assurances pending the conclusion of multilaterally negotiated legally binding security assurances for all non-nuclear-weapon States parties.

By further terms, the Assembly would call upon those three States, India, Israel and Pakistan, which were not yet parties to the NPT and which operated unsafeguarded nuclear facilities to accede to the Treaty as non-nuclear-weapon States promptly and without condition, and upon those States which had not yet done so to conclude full-scope safeguards agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

It would also call upon the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to reconsider its recent announcements, with a view to complying fully with the provisions of the NPT, and in this connection support all diplomatic efforts for an early, peaceful resolution of the situation and for the establishment of an area free of nuclear weapons on the Korean peninsula.

The Assembly would also call upon the Russian Federation and the United States of America to approach the IAEA to carry out the verification requirements set forth in the Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement signed by the two States on the basis of the model legal framework that had been agreed upon and that was now available to be used in new verification agreements between the IAEA and each of the two States.

And it would call upon all nuclear-weapon States to make arrangements for the placing, as soon as practicable, of their fissile material no longer required for military purposes under IAEA or other relevant international verification and to make arrangements for the disposition of such material for peaceful purposes, in order to ensure that such material remained permanently outside military programmes.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 4 November by a vote of 121 in favour to 6 against (France, India, Israel, Pakistan, United Kingdom, United States), with 38 abstentions.

Prior to that action, the text’s twentieth preambular paragraph, by which the Assembly would express concern that the development of missile defences could impact negatively on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation and lead to a new arms race on earth and in outer space, as well as stress that no steps should be taken that would lead to the weaponization of outer space, was approved by a vote of 117 in favour to 6 against (Australia, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Japan, United Kingdom, United States), with 39 abstentions.

According to draft XVII, which deals with implementing the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction (Chemical Weapons Convention), the Assembly would underline that the Convention and its implementation contributed to enhancing international peace and security.  It would emphasize that its full, universal and effective implementation would further contribute to that purpose by excluding completely, for the sake of all humankind, the possibility of the use of chemical weapons. 

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, and welcomed progress to that end.

It would further urge all States parties to the Convention to meet in full and on time their obligations and to support the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in its implementation activities. 

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 27 October without a vote.

Draft XVIII, on implementing the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel Mines and on Their Destruction (Ottawa Convention) would request the Secretary-General to undertake the necessary preparations to convene the Convention’s first review conference at Nairobi from 19 November to 3 December 2004.

A further term would have the Assembly invite all States that had not yet signed the Convention to accede to it, and urge all States that signed but did not ratify it to do so without delay.

The Assembly would also urge all States parties to provide the Secretary-General with complete and timely information to promote transparency and compliance with the Convention.

By a further term, it would renew its call upon all States and other relevant parties to work together to promote, support and advance mine risk education programmes, the removal of anti-personnel mines placed throughout the world, as well as the care, rehabilitation and social and economic reintegration of mine victims.

The Assembly would also invite and encourage all interested States, the United Nations, other relevant international organizations or institutions, regional organizations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and relevant non-governmental organizations to participate in the programme of intersessional work established at the first meeting of States parties to the Convention and further developed at subsequent meetings of States parties to the Convention.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 30 October by a vote of 143 in favour to 0 against, with 19 abstentions.

By the terms of draft XIX, on transparency in armaments, the Assembly would reaffirm its determination to ensure the effective operation of the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms.  With a view to achieving universal participation, it would also call upon Member States to provide the Secretary-General by 31 May annually with the requested data and information for the Register, including nil reports if appropriate.

By a further term, it would invite Member States in a position to do so, pending further development of the Register, to provide additional information on procurement from national production and military holdings and to make use of the “Remarks” column in the standardized reporting form to provide additional information such as types or models.

It would also reiterate its call upon all Member States to cooperate at the regional and subregional levels, taking fully into account the specific conditions prevailing in the region or subregion, with a view to enhancing and coordinating international efforts aimed at increased openness and transparency in armaments.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 28 October by a vote of 140 in favour to 0 against, with 23 abstentions.

Prior to that, three separate votes were taken.  In the first, the Assembly approved the text’s second operative paragraph by a vote of 138 in favour to 0 against, with 22 abstentions.  That paragraph would have the Assembly endorse the report of the Secretary-General on the continuing operation of the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms and its further development and the recommendations ensuing from the consensus report of the 2003 group of governmental experts.

In the second vote, the fourth operative paragraph was approved by a vote of 137 in favour to 0 against, with 22 abstentions.  That paragraph would have the Assembly call upon Member States, with a view to achieving universal participation, to provide the Secretary-General by 31 May annually with the requested data and information for the Register, including nil reports if appropriate.

In the third vote, a package containing the third and eighth operative paragraphs, as well as the last nine words in operative paragraph 4, was approved by a vote of 138 in favour to 0 against, with 22 abstentions.

[The third operative paragraph would have the Assembly decide to adapt the scope of the Register in conformity with the recommendations contained in the 2003 report of the Secretary-General.

The eighth operative paragraph would have the Assembly request the Secretary-General to implement the recommendations contained in his 2003 report on the continuing operation of the Register and its further development and to ensure that sufficient resources were made available for the Secretariat to operate and maintain the Register.

The last nine words of operative paragraph 4 are “as well as the 2003 report of the Secretary-General”.]

Draft XX, concerning regional promotion in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe of the United Nations programme of action on the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, would have the Assembly reaffirm the importance of measures to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, including ongoing efforts at the regional and subregional levels.

In that context, it would also invite all Member States that had not yet done so to examine the possibility of developing and adopting regional and subregional measures, as appropriate, to combat that illicit trade.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 3 November without a vote.

According to draft XXI, on nuclear disarmament, the Assembly would urge the nuclear-weapon States to immediately stop the qualitative improvement, development, production, and stockpiling of nuclear warheads and their delivery systems.  It would also urge them to, as an interim measure, immediately de-alert and deactivate their nuclear weapons and to further reduce the operational status of their nuclear-weapon systems.

By a further term, it would call on those States to agree on an internationally and legally binding instrument imposing policies of no-first use, and upon all States to conclude an internationally and legally binding instrument on security assurances of non-use and non-threat of use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon States.  It would also urge nuclear-weapon States to commence plurilateral negotiations among themselves at an appropriate stage on further deep reductions of nuclear weapons.

By additional terms, the Assembly would call for the full and effective implementation of the 13 steps for nuclear disarmament, contained in the Final Document of the 2000 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and urge the nuclear-weapon States to carry out further reductions of non-strategic nuclear weapons, based on unilateral initiatives.

The Assembly would also call for the immediate commencement of negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament on a non-discriminatory, multilateral and verifiable treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.  In that context, it would urge the Conference on Disarmament to agree on a programme of work which includes immediate negotiations on such a treaty with a view to their conclusion within five years.

By further terms, it would call for the conclusion of an international legal instrument or instruments on adequate security assurances to non-nuclear-weapon States, and for the early entry into force and strict observance of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.  The Assembly would also call for the convening of an international conference on nuclear disarmament at an early date to identify and deal with concrete measures to attain that goal.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 3 November by a vote of 101 in favour to 43 against, with 18 abstentions.

Draft XXII, on the Conference on Disarmament decision to establish an ad hoc committee to negotiate a non-discriminatory, multilateral, internationally verifiable treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons would have the Assembly urge the Conference to agree on a programme of work that included the immediate commencement of negotiations on such a treaty, under the conviction that the treaty would be a significant contribution to nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 27 October without a vote.

Under the term of draft XXIII, which deals with assistance to States for curbing the illicit traffic in small arms and collecting them, the Assembly, deeply disturbed by the magnitude of the illicit proliferation and circulation of and traffic in small arms in the States of the Sahelo-Saharan subregion, would call upon the international community to provide technical and financial support to strengthen the capacity of civil organizations to combat that trade.

It would also encourage the establishment of national commissions in the Sahelo-Saharan countries to combat the aforementioned proliferation, and invite the international community to lend support to those commissions.

By a further term, it would encourage civil society groups to participate in the work of the national commissions and in implementing the moratorium on the trade and manufacture of small arms and light weapons in West Africa.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 28 October without a vote.

Draft XXIV, entitled “A path to the total elimination of nuclear weapons”, would have the Assembly invite the nuclear-weapon States to keep United Nations Members informed on their progress in the field of nuclear disarmament.

Expressing deep concern regarding the growing dangers posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, convinced that every effort should be made to avoid nuclear devastation, and stressing the importance of further developing verification capabilities, such as IAEA safeguards, the Assembly would also call upon all States to redouble their efforts to prevent and curb the proliferation of such weapons.

It would further call upon all States to maintain the highest possible standards of security, safe custody, effective control and physical protection of all materials related to such weapons, so that they did not fall into the hands of terrorists.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 30 October by a vote of 146 in favour to 2 against (India, United States), with 16 abstentions.

By the draft decision on the fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament, the Assembly would take note of the report of the open-ended working group to consider the objectives and agenda, including the possible establishment of the preparatory committee, for that special session, as well as requests made for Member States to continue consultations in that regard.

The Assembly would also decide to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-ninth session the sub-item entitled “Convening of the fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament”.

The Committee approved the draft decision on 5 November without a vote.

The report on the review and implementation of the Concluding Document of the Twelfth Special Session of the General Assembly (document A/58/463) contains

6 draft resolutions.

Draft I, concerning the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean would have the Assembly reiterate its strong support for the role of the Centre in promoting United Nations activities at the regional level to strengthen peace, stability, security and development.  It would appeal to Member States, particularly in the region, and to international governmental and non-governmental organizations and foundations to make and increase voluntary contributions to strengthen the Centre and its programme of activities.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 29 October without a vote.

According to draft II, on the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa, the Assembly, concerned by the Centre’s continued financial difficulties, would appeal, once again, to all States, as well as to international governmental and non-governmental organizations and foundations, to make voluntary contributions, in order to strengthen the Centre’s programmes and activities.  It would appeal to the Centre, in cooperation with the African Union, regional and subregional organizations, and the African States, to promote the consistent implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 28 October without a vote.

Draft III, dealing with the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific, would have the Assembly reaffirm its strong support for the forthcoming operation and further strengthening of the Centre, and underline the importance of the Kathmandu process as a powerful vehicle for the development of the practice of region-wide security and disarmament dialogue.  It would appeal to Member States, especially those within the Asia-Pacific region, as well as to international governmental and non-governmental organizations and foundations, to make voluntary contributions, the only resources of the Centre, to strengthen the Centre’s activities and their implementation.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 29 October without a vote.

By the terms of draft IV, on the United Nations regional centres for peace and disarmament, the Assembly would reiterate the importance of the United Nations activities at the regional level to increase the stability and security of its Member States, which could be promoted in a substantive manner by the maintenance and revitalization of the three regional centres.  It would also reaffirm that it was useful for the centres to carry out dissemination and educational programmes that promoted regional peace and security and that were aimed at changing basic attitudes with respect to peace and security and disarmament, so as to support the achievement of the principles and purposes of the United Nations. 

The Assembly would also appeal to Member States in each region and those that were able to do so, as well as to international governmental and non-governmental organizations and their foundations, to make voluntary contributions to the centres in their respective regions to strengthen the activities and initiatives.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 30 October without a vote.

Convinced that a multilateral, universal and binding agreement prohibiting the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons would contribute to the elimination of the nuclear threat, the Assembly would reiterate its request to the Conference on Disarmament to commence negotiations, in order to reach agreement on such a convention, according to draft V, which deals with a nuclear weapons convention.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 27 October by a vote of 102 in favour to 46 against, with 10 abstentions (Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, Ukraine).

Draft VI, on the activities of the United Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa, would have the Assembly reaffirm its support for efforts aimed at promoting confidence-building measures at regional and subregional levels, in order to ease tensions and conflicts in Central Africa and to further peace, stability and sustainable development in the subregion.

The Assembly would note with satisfaction the progress made by that Committee in implementing its programme of activities for 2002-2003, including holding a seminar in May on implementation in Central Africa of the United Nations programme of action on small arms.

At the same time, the Assembly would emphasize the need to make the early-warning mechanism in Central Africa operational so that it would serve as an instrument for analysing and monitoring political situations in the States members of the Standing Advisory Committee and as a technical body through which the member States would carry out the Committee’s programme of work, adopted in 1992.  It would also appeal to Member States and organizations to make additional voluntary contributions to support the Committee’s work.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 4 November without a vote.

The report on the review of the implementation of the recommendations and decisions adopted by the General Assembly at its tenth special session (document A/58/464) contains two draft resolutions, I and II.

Draft I, on the report of the Conference on Disarmament, would have the Assembly urge the Conference to fulfil its role as the international community’s single multilateral negotiating forum on disarmament, in light of the evolving international situation, and with a view to making early substantive process on its agenda.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 28 October without a vote.

Reaffirming the role of the Disarmament Commission as the specialized, deliberative body with the United Nations multilateral disarmament machinery that allowed for in-depth deliberations on specific disarmament issues, leading to the submission of concrete recommendations, draft II, on the report of the Disarmament Commission, would have the Assembly request the Commission to meet for a period not exceeding three weeks during 2004, namely, from 5 to 23 April. 

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 29 October without a vote.

Noting that Israel remained the only State in the Middle East that had not yet become party to the NPT, the Assembly would call upon it to accede to the Treaty without further delay, to not develop, produce, test or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons, to renounce possession of nuclear weapons, and to place all its unsafeguarded nuclear facilities under full-scope IAEA safeguards, according to the draft resolution contained in the report on the risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East (document A/58/465).

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 3 November by a vote of

146 in favour to 3 against (Israel, Federated States of Micronesia, United States), with 10 abstentions (Australia, Cameroon, Canada, India, Ethiopia, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu).

Prior to that, the text’s sixth preambular paragraph was approved by a vote of 142 in favour to 2 against (India, Israel), with 11 abstentions.  That paragraph, would have the Assembly recognize with satisfaction that, among other things, the 2000 NPT review conference called on those remaining States not parties to the NPT to accede to it, thereby accepting an international legally binding commitment not to acquire nuclear weapons and to accept IAEA safeguards on all their nuclear activities.

According to a draft resolution contained in the report 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/58/466), the Assembly would call upon all States that had not yet done so to become parties, as soon as possible, to the Convention, its annexed Protocols, and the amendment of article I, which extends the Convention’s scope.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 28 October without a vote.

The draft resolution contained in the report on strengthening security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region (document A/58/467) would have the Assembly reaffirm that security in that region was closely linked to European security, as well as to international peace and security. 

The Assembly would express its satisfaction at the continuing efforts by Mediterranean countries to contribute actively to the elimination of all causes of tension in the region and to the promotion of just and lasting solutions to the persistent problems there through peaceful means, thus ensuring the withdrawal of foreign forces of occupation and respecting the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries of the Mediterranean and the right of peoples to self-determination.

It, therefore, would call for full adherence to the principles of non-interference, non-intervention, non-use of force, in accordance with the United Nations Charter and the relevant resolutions.  It would also call on all States of the region to adhere to all the multilaterally negotiated legal instruments related to the field of disarmament and non-proliferation, thus creating the necessary conditions for strengthening peace and cooperation in the region.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 29 October without a vote.

According to a draft resolution contained in the report on the CTBT (document A/58/468), the Assembly, reiterating that the cessation of nuclear-weapon test explosions or any other nuclear explosions constituted an effective nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation measure, would stress the importance and urgency of signature and ratification, without delay and conditions, to achieve the Treaty’s earliest entry into force.

In that context, it would urge all States that had not yet done so to sign and ratify the Treaty as soon as possible and refrain from acts that would defeat its object and purpose in the meanwhile.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 27 October by a vote of 151 in favour to 1 against (United States), with 4 abstentions (Colombia, India, Mauritius, Syria).

By the terms of the draft resolution contained in the report on the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) And Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction (Biological Weapons Convention) (document A/58/469), the Assembly would note with satisfaction the increase in the number of States parties to the Convention and reaffirm its call on all signatories that had not yet ratified it to do so without delay.  It would call on those States that had not yet signed the Convention to become parties to it at an early date, thus contributing to its universal adherence. 

The Assembly would also recall the decision reached at the Fifth Review Conference and call on the States parties to the Convention to participate in its implementation. 

[Among the decisions and recommendations of the Fifth Review Conference, which was held in Geneva from 19 November to 7 December 2001 and 11 to 22 November 2002, were:  the adoption of necessary national measures to implement the prohibitions set forth in the Convention; national mechanisms to establish and maintain the security and oversight of pathogenic micro-organisms and toxins; enhancing international capabilities for responding to, investigating and mitigating the effects of cases of alleged use of biological or toxin weapons or suspicious outbreaks of disease; strengthening and broadening national and international efforts and existing mechanisms for the surveillance, detection, diagnosis and combating of infectious disease affecting humans, animals, and plants; and the content, promulgation, and adoption of codes of conduct for scientists.]

The Committee approved the draft resolution on 27 October without a vote.

Action on Texts

MIGUEL CARBO (Ecuador), Rapporteur, introduced the reports of the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security).

The Assembly first took up the report on objective information on military matters, including transparency of military expenditures (document A/58/451) and adopted the resolution contained therein, without a vote.

The Assembly next took up the report on verification in all its aspects, including the role of the United Nations (document A/58/452) and adopted the decision contained therein without a vote. 

Then, the draft resolution contained in the report on implementation of the Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace (document A/58/ 453) was adopted by a recorded vote of 130 in favour to 3 against (France, United Kingdom, United States), with 42 abstentions (Annex I).

Acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted the resolution contained in the report on the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (document A/58/454).

When the Assembly turned to the report and the resolution contained therein on consolidation of the regime established by the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco) (document A/58/455), the representative of Cuba submitted an oral amendment to operative paragraph 1 of the draft, which welcomes the fact that the Treaty was now in force for the States of the region, and that that fact was officially acknowledged by the General Conference of the Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean at its eighteenth session, held in Havana from 5 to 6 November.

The oral amendment would add a phrase to the end of that sentence, as follows:  “and takes note of the results of the aforementioned General Conference’s session, including the adoption of The Havana Declaration;”. 

Without a vote, the Assembly decided to adopt the oral amendment to that draft.  It then adopted the resolution as a whole, as orally amended, also without a vote.

Speaking after the vote on behalf of the United Kingdom and the United States, the representative of France said he supported the nuclear-weapon-free zone established by that Treaty and considered that the General Conference concerned only the States parties to that Treaty.  Thus, his country was not bound by any decisions taken at that Conference. 

Also without a vote, the Assembly adopted a decision on review of the implementation of the Declaration on the Strengthening of International Security, contained in the report by the same name (document A/58/456).

The resolution contained in the report on developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security (document A/58/457) was also adopted without a vote.

By a vote of 106 in favour to 49 against, with 19 abstentions, the Assembly adopted the resolution contained in the report on the role of science and technology in the context of international security (document A/58/458) (Annex II). 

Acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted the resolution contained in the report on establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East (document A/58/459).

It adopted the resolution contained in the report on conclusion of effective international arrangements to assure non-nuclear-weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons (document A/58/460) by a vote of 119 in favour to 0 against, with 58 abstentions (Annex III). 

The resolution contained in the report on prevention of an arms race in outer space (document A/58/461) was adopted by a vote of 174 in favour to 0 against, with 4 abstentions (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, United States) (Annex IV).

There are 29 draft texts contained in the report on general and complete disarmament (document A/58/462).  The Assembly President informed members that action on draft resolution I, on the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, would be postponed to a later date to allow time for the review of its programme budget implications by the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary). 

Draft II, on missiles, was adopted by a recorded vote of 113 in favour to   3 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, United States), with 56 abstentions (Annex V).

Draft III entitled “Regional disarmament” was adopted without a vote.

Draft IV on conventional arms control at the regional and subregional levels was adopted by a recorded vote of 172 in favour to 1 against (India), with 1 abstention (Bhutan) (Annex VI). 

Acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted draft V, on prohibition of the dumping of radioactive wastes; VI on improving the effectiveness of the methods of work of the Committee; and draft VII on national legislation on transfer of arms, military equipment and dual-use goods and technology.

By a recorded vote of 73 in favour to 48 against, with 46 abstentions, it adopted draft VIII on confidence-building measures in the regional and subregional context (Annex VII).

It adopted draft IX on promotion of multilateralism in the area of disarmament and non-proliferation by a vote of 118 in favour to 12 against, with 46 abstentions (Annex VIII).

Also by a recorded vote, 173 in favour to 1 against (United States), with   4 (France, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, United Kingdom) abstentions, the Assembly adopted draft X on observance of environmental norms in the drafting and implementation of agreements on disarmament and arms control (Annex IX).

Draft XI as a whole on follow-up to the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the Legality of the Threat of Use of Nuclear Weapons was adopted by a vote of 124 in favour to 29 against, with 22 abstentions (Annex XI).

Prior to adoption of the text, a separate vote was taken on operative paragraph 1, which underlined, once again, the unanimous conclusion of the ICJ that there existed an obligation to pursue in good faith and bring to a conclusion negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament under strict and effective control.  It was adopted by a vote of 165 in favour to 4 against (France, Israel, Russian Federation, United States), with 3 abstentions (Georgia, United Kingdom, Portugal) (Annex X). 

Resolution XII on reducing nuclear danger was adopted by a vote of 114 in favour to 47 against, with 17 abstentions (Annex XII).

Acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted draft XIII on measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction.

It adopted draft XIV on a nuclear-weapon-free southern hemisphere and adjacent areas by a vote of 168 in favour to 3 against (France, United Kingdom, United States), with 8 abstentions (Bhutan, Federated States of Micronesia, Georgia, India, Israel, Marshall Islands, Russian Federation, Spain) (Annex XV).

Prior to action on the resolution as a whole, two separate votes were taken. In the first, the Assembly voted to retain the words “and South Asia” in operative paragraph 5, by 159 in favour to 3 against (France, India, Pakistan) with 9 abstentions (Albania, Bhutan, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Myanmar, Russian Federation, Spain, United Kingdom, United States (Annex XIII).

Operative paragraph 5 as a whole, by which the Assembly would welcome the steps taken to conclude further nuclear-weapon-free zone treaties on the basis of arrangements freely arrived at among the States of the region concerned, and call upon all States to consider all relevant proposals including those reflected in its resolutions on the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones in the Middle East and South Asia, was adopted by a vote of 163 in favour to 2 against (France, India), with 9 abstentions (Bhutan, Georgia, Israel, Federated States of Micronesia, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Spain, United Kingdom, United States) (Annex XIV).

By a vote of 128 in favour to 4 against (France, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, United States), with 43 abstentions, it adopted draft XV on reductions of non-strategic nuclear weapons (Annex XVI).

In two separate recorded votes, the Assembly adopted draft XVI entitled “Towards a nuclear-weapon-free world: a new agenda”.  It adopted preambular paragraph 20, by which it expressed concern that the development of missile defences could impact negatively on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, and lead to a new arms race on earth and in outer space, and stressed that no steps should be taken that would lead to the weaponization of outer space, was adopted by a vote of 128 in favour to 6 against (Australia, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Japan, United Kingdom, United States), with 41 abstentions (Annex XVII).

It adopted draft XVI as a whole by a vote of 133 in favour to 6 against (France, India, Israel, Pakistan, United Kingdom, United States), with 38 abstentions (Annex XVIII).

Acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted draft XVII on Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction.

Draft XVIII on implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel Mines and on Their Destruction was adopted by a vote of 153 in favour to none against, with 23 abstentions (Annex XIX).

Four separate recorded votes were taken on draft XIX on transparency in armaments.  It adopted the resolution as a whole by 150 in favour to none against, with 27 abstentions (Annex XXIII).

Prior to that, it adopted operative paragraph 2, by which it endorsed the report of the Secretary-General on the continuing operation of the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms and its further development and the recommendations ensuing from the consensus report of the 2003 group of governmental experts.  The text was adopted by a recorded 153 votes in favour to none against with 23 abstentions (Annex XX).

A package containing the third and eighth operative paragraphs, as well as the last nine words in operative paragraph 4, was adopted by a vote of 152 in favour to none against, with 22 abstentions (Annex XXI).

(The third operative paragraph would have the Assembly decide to adapt the scope of the Register in conformity with the recommendations contained in the 2003 report of the Secretary-General.

The eighth operative paragraph would have the Assembly request the Secretary-General to implement the recommendations contained in his 2003 report on the continuing operation of the Register and its further development, and to ensure that sufficient resources were made available for the Secretariat to operate and maintain the Register.

The last nine words of operative paragraph 4 are “as well as the 2003 report of the Secretary-General”.)

The fourth operative paragraph was approved by a vote of 152 in favour to none against, with 22 abstentions (Annex XXII).  That paragraph would have the Assembly call upon Member States, with a view to achieving universal participation, to provide the Secretary-General by 31 May annually with the requested data and information for the Register, including nil reports if appropriate.

Next, without a vote, the Assembly adopted draft XX on promotion at the regional level in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) of the United Nations programme of action on the illicit small arms trade.

It adopted draft XXI, entitled “nuclear disarmament”, by a vote of 112 in favour to 45 against, with 20 abstentions (Annex XXIV).

Acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted draft XXII on the establishment of an ad hoc committee in the Conference on Disarmament to negotiate a non-discriminatory, multilateral and internationally and effectively verifiable treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons. 

Also without a vote, it adopted draft XXIII on assistance to States for curbing the illicit traffic in small arms and collecting them.

Draft XXIV, entitled “A path to the total elimination of nuclear weapons”, was adopted by a vote of 164 in favour to 2 against (India, United States), with 14 abstentions (Annex XXV).

The Assembly next adopted draft decision I on a United Nations conference to identify ways of eliminating nuclear dangers in the context of nuclear disarmament by a vote of 133 in favour to 6 against (France, Israel, Monaco, Poland, United Kingdom, United States), with 38 abstentions (Annex XXVI).

Draft Decisions II and III, respectively on establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia and consolidation of peace through practical disarmament measures were adopted without votes. 

It adopted draft decision IV on the relationship between disarmament and development by a recorded vote of 177 in favour to one against (United States), with 2 abstentions (Israel, Rwanda) (Annex XXVII). 

Draft decision V on convening the fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament was adopted without a vote.

Speaking after action on the texts contained in the report on general and complete disarmament, the representative of Japan said he abstained in the vote on Draft VIII, on confidence-building measures in the regional and subregional context.  He fully understood the importance of such measures, especially in areas of tension, and he supported them.  In that context, he viewed the draft as containing certain positive elements, which were useful and agreeable, but when those measures were applied to specific regional conflicts, all relevant regional concerns should be taken into account, so that such measures could make a real contribution.  At the same time, the draft contained some problematic language, particularly in operative paragraph 5, concerning military balance in regions of tension.

The representative of Cuba said he voted in favour of that resolution based on his firm conviction that confidence-building measures, adopted at various levels, could strengthen peace, security and stability anywhere in the world.  He interpreted the recently adopted resolution as a general text, which did not prejudge the position of any State with regard to specific decisions to promote confidence at the regional and subregional level.  Such measures, because of their very nature, could not be imposed, but must be established and agreed upon on a voluntary basis, and as deemed appropriate by States participating in the process.

He said that regional confidence-building measures must be adopted at the initiative of interested States in the region, and not by force.  Those required consensus among States in the process, with the ultimate objective of strengthening international peace and security, improving relations among States, promoting social, economic and cultural well-being of peoples, and contributing to preventing wars.  Their purpose was to reduce, and even eliminate, dangers of misunderstandings or military errors, in order to help prevent military conflicts and covert activities and reduce the risk of surprise attack and a breakout of a war by accident.

Practical confidence-building measures depended ultimately on specific security aspects and other aspects related to the country, region or subregion concerned, he stressed.  Applying them must be done in a way that guaranteed the right of every State to security.  His country would keep that issue under constant review.

The representative of Brazil said she voted in favour of that text because she supported its general thrust.  Those measures were a powerful instrument for generating trust and creating a more cooperative environment.  Brazil had consistently registered the largest number of confidence-building measures within the Organization of American States.  Those, however, should not be imposed or monitored by any other actor than the countries that voluntary engaged in the exercise.  The consultations foreseen in operative paragraph 7 should be undertaken with the prior consent of the parties involved.

She said she supported the draft, in spite of fact that she was not comfortable with some of the language, although she recognized the effort made by Pakistan to accommodate some concerns.  Still, the text might have been refined, in order to obtain the consensus that initiative deserved.

The representative of Singapore said he also supported the text because such measures were a useful instrument in promoting regional peace and security.  Unfortunately, some of the debate surrounding the text had referred to a specific regional context, although the resolution itself had not done so.  His vote in support of it had been based on his general support for such measures and should not be construed as taking sides in any regional dispute.

The representative of Lithuania said she had abstained in the vote on draft XV, concerning the reduction of non-strategic nuclear weapons.  His abstention, however, had not entirely reflected his view on that issue, to which his country attached high importance.  The Final Document of the 2000 NPT Review Conference contained the commitment of nuclear-weapon States to reduce non-strategic nuclear weapons, based on unilateral initiatives, as an integral part of the nuclear disarmament process.  She looked forward to the 2005 Review Conference in that regard.  Also, she supported calls for further confidence-building and transparency measures, and to reducing the alert status of non-strategic nuclear weapons systems, and their safe transport and storage, as called for in several operative paragraphs of the resolution.

Next, the Assembly turned to the six texts contained in the report on review and implementation of the Concluding Document of the Twelfth Special Session of the General Assembly (document A/58/463).

Speaking before the votes, the representative of Costa Rica submitted two oral amendments to draft I on the Regional Centre in Latin America and the Caribbean.  As the Cuban representative had already stated, the draft, specifically in preambular paragraph 8, should be updated to reflect the convening and outcome of the General Conference in Havana last month.

Acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted the oral amendments to the eighth preambular paragraph of draft I, on then the draft as a whole on the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Then, drafts II, III and IV, respectively, on the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa, United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific, and United Nations Regional Centres for Peace and Disarmament, were also adopted without votes.

By a recorded vote of 118 in favour to 46 against, with 13 abstentions, it adopted draft V of that report on a convention on the prohibition of the use of nuclear weapons (Annex XXVIII).

Draft VI, on regional confidence-building measures:  activities of the United Nations Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa, was adopted without a vote.

Then, it considered the two draft resolutions contained in the report on review of the implementation of the recommendations and decisions adopted by the General Assembly at its tenth special session (document A/58/464).

Acting without a vote, it adopted draft I, on the report of the Conference on Disarmament; and draft II, on the report of the Disarmament Commission.

Then, it adopted the resolution contained in the report on the risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East (document A/58/465) by a vote of 162 in favour to  4 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, United States), with 10 abstentions (Australia, Cameroon, Canada, Ethiopia, India, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu) (Annex XXX).

Prior to that action, it adopted, in a separate recorded vote, preambular paragraph 6 by 162 in favour to 2 against (India, Israel), with 10 abstentions (Bhutan, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Trinidad and Tobago, United States, Vanuatu) (Annex XXIX).  By its terms, the Assembly recognized with satisfaction that, among other things, the 2000 NPT review conference called on those remaining States not parties to the NPT to accede to it, thereby accepting an international legally binding commitment not to acquire nuclear weapons and to accept IAEA safeguards on all their nuclear activities.

Without a vote, it adopted the resolution contained in the report on 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/58/466).

Also without a vote, the Assembly adopted the resolution contained in the report on strengthening security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region (document A/58/467).

By a vote of 173 in favour to 1 against (United States), with 4 abstentions (Colombia, India, Mauritius, Syria), it adopted the text contained in the report on the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (document A/58/468) (Annex XXXI).

It adopted the draft contained in the report on the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction (document A/58/469), without a vote.

Information and communications technologies for development

After taking action on the reports of the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) the Assembly held a debate on the Secretary-General’s report on information and communications technologies for development (document A/58/568).  Following a decision taken during the Assembly’s fifty-seventh session, the Secretary-General had been asked to submit a progress report of his work with United Nations agencies and funds, in conjunction with the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Task Force to develop a comprehensive ICT strategy.

The report describes the status of ongoing consultative processes on ICT’s within the United Nations system, as well as the work of the Task Force.  It notes the recent emergence of a number of elements that have motivated not only greater exchanges of information and stronger collaboration among the systems’ ICT managers, but also a heightened awareness among senior managers of the ICT’s potential and the benefits to be derived from strategic approaches to inter-agency cooperation and coordination.  It concludes, among other things, that in order to promote a better understanding of ICT’s core management training programmes should be developed, in coordination with the United Nations System Staff College, for senior managers system-wide.  

Statements

MARCO BALAREZO (Peru), speaking on behalf of the Rio Group, said that, with tomorrow’s convening of the two-phase World Information Society Summit in Geneva, the Assembly had a timely opportunity to coordinate initiatives aimed at overcoming the challenges connected with information and communication technologies, including reducing the digital divide.  The use and exploitation of those technologies was indispensable to all strategies aimed at the elimination of poverty and ensuring sustainable economic growth.  Recognizing that fact, the heads of State of the Rio Group had last summer ratified a strategy and decided to place priority upon the development of information and communication technologies capacity.

Latin America and the Caribbean had had the opportunity to make an important contribution to the World Information Society meeting through a meeting held earlier in the Dominican Republic, at which suggestions for the ruling principles and main theme of the Summit and its follow-up had been adopted.  Following that declaration, the Rio Group had intensified its cooperation and preparation at the regional level in preparation for the Summit.  However, those efforts must be followed by a common vision and international efforts to strengthen developing countries’ capacities.  The Rio Group supported the efforts to establish a group of basic principles for building the information society.  Additionally, the Group believed it necessary to consider differential treatment, because of the asymmetry among countries.

GE SONGXUE (China) said that there was a consensus that information and communication technologies were of great importance for development.  Thus, it was encouraging that progress had been made in using them.  For its own part, China had two decades ago decided to make economic development its priority state policy, using the construction of a communication system as a starting point.  The Government had clearly realized that steady economic growth could only be assured by:  making full use of the opportunities available in the information age; accelerating the development of information, communication and network technologies; and energetically using those technologies in the economic, social, science and technology, national defence, educational, cultural and legal fields.

China had established a high-capacity and high-speed basic transmission network, he said, which covered the whole country.  By the end of 2002, the country had 20.83 million computers connected to the Internet, while the number of “netizens” reached 59.1 million; second in the world.  And while that number represented only 4.6 per cent of its population –- leaving a huge space for further development –- marked progress had been made in developing and using communication technology in China.  The communications network had expanded from a small to a large capacity, from analog to digital technology, and from single service to diversified services.  Moreover, with its entry into the World Trade Organization, the country’s telecommunication sector had been opened to the outside world.  ICT had provided advanced operational means and the requisite network technology for China’s macroeconomic control and its economic performance and security.  In turn, the information industry had benefited from growth in the business sector.

ALI HACHANI (Tunisia), host of the second phase of the historical Summit on the Information Society, said that it was important for all to realize that the overwhelming majority of the world’s peoples had been marginalized by the recent boom in ICT.  It was important, therefore, to continue to examine the ways and means ICT could help developing countries achieve the Millennium Development Goals, particularly reversing the negative effects of globalization.  The United Nations was the ideal forum to discuss and elaborate such solutions.  He welcomed the outstanding progress made by the world body to that end, as well as efforts to forge relationships with the private sector to advance ICT use for development for all.

He went on to say that the Secretary-General’s report had stressed that, if wisely and methodically used, ICT could strengthen the implementation of United Nations programmes and the implementation of the world body’s initiatives.  Tunisia supported system-wide focus on enhancing the tools and instruments that would lead to optimum use of the benefits to be derived from ICT.  Tunisia had resolutely put itself at the vanguard of the struggle to overcome the digital divide, by, among other things, investing heavily in the Internet, and promoting net-based education.  He hoped that the Assembly would adopt the recommendations and decision reached in Geneva this week at the conclusion of the first phase of the Information Summit, in order to ensure that the 2005 phase would be a success.

MOHAMMAD HASSAN (Pakistan) said that tremendous advances in science and technology had expanded the network of transnational linkages, while the digital and information revolution had provided historic opportunities for developing countries to take a quantum leap forward and integrate into the global economy.  Paradoxically, the process of global economic and technological development had also brought about the uneven distribution of benefits, thereby accentuating global economic polarization.  The digital divide, as well as the gaps between developed and developing countries in the areas of income and development had widened.  The technological revolution had, in fact, magnified socio-economic disparities and divides.

Nevertheless, there was a broad consensus that technology –- and especially ICT –- was the way of the future, he noted.  Given universal access, it could serve as the engine of economic growth and development.  The current challenge was to ensure that it benefited every inhabitant of the world, in which regard the international community must adopt a holistic, progressive and participatory approach that ensured the utilization of technology towards development needs of, and poverty eradication in, developing countries.  An important prerequisite, in that regard, was to provide an enabling international environment supportive of development, including through the transfer of technology and investment in basic literacy, infrastructure and human resource development.

The United Nations was well placed to lead the world in placing science and technology in the service of development, he concluded.  Through building partnerships with all relevant actors, the Organization could lead the way in promoting the development objectives of developing countries, in which regard the establishment of the United Nations ICT Task Force, the convening of the World Summit on the Information Society, and the strengthening of the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology represented steps in the right direction.  For its part, Pakistan had adopted a holistic, progressive, participatory and all- encompassing approach to the promotion of information and communications technology in his country.

ISMAIL MUSTAPHA (Malaysia) said information and communication technologies had transformed the world tremendously over the past 10 years.  Indeed, today new information technologies had made it possible for people to communicate across great distances practically in real time.  If harnessed, new technologies had immense potential and could provide opportunities for developing countries, particularly the least developed countries to “leapfrog” in their development processes.  However, due largely to the marginalization of most poor countries, ICT had not been able to assume its vital role as a real “development enabler”.  With over 80 per cent of the 500 million Internet users living in industrialized countries, it was clear that urgent steps would have to be taken to reverse the digital divide.

The upcoming Summit on the Information Society, set to kick off in Geneva tomorrow, would provide a timely opportunity to develop a better understanding of the information revolution and its impact on the international community.  While that important meeting must generate an action-oriented outcome, it must also give due attention to “info-security”.  While noting that the Internet was largely self-governing, Malaysia believed that a failure to establish rules framing Internet governance would result in abuse and misuse that might have far-reaching socio-economic impacts.  He went on to say that, since the early 1990s, Malaysia had undertaken great efforts in the area of new information technologies.  One of the main challenges that had emerged was ensuring Internet access for the entire population.  The Government had, therefore, initiated programmes to bridge the gape between and among local communities. 

ORLANDO REQUEIJO GUAL (Cuba) said the information revolution had made it possible for countries to have real time access to all the events taking place in the world.  However, that reality was in contrast to the path of neo-liberal globalization.  On the one hand, there was rapid growth in trade, finances and communication technologies.  On the other, there was also marginalization, poverty and poor health.  The digital divide was growing in “leaps and bounds”, as developing countries with limited resources largely devoted to overcoming poverty and malnutrition, tried to keep pace with rapid technological advances.  It was time for the international community to work together to create a world in which the gap between the rich and the poor was breached, and where sustainability was guaranteed.  A just and fair international order was required, so that developing countries could participate on an equal footing to address global problems.

Despite the cruel and unjust economic blockade and serious limitations in resources, Cuba’s first priority was to provide training for its youth. In that regard, the national Computer Club initiative had provided equipment and materials to teach youth for free.  Thousands of children were benefiting at all levels, including pre-school, primary and middle school levels.  A particular emphasis had been placed on providing training and computer access to children in rural schools.  Cuba welcomed the upcoming Summit on the Information Society, and hoped that specific actions and initiatives would emerge, which allowed developing countries to take part in the information revolution.

ANNEX I

Vote on Indian Ocean

The draft resolution on implementation of the Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace (document A/58/462) was adopted by a recorded vote of 130 in favour to 3 against, with 42 abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia.

Against:  France, United Kingdom, United States.

Abstain:  Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Republic of Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey.

Absent:  Angola, Benin, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Iraq, Kiribati, Liberia, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Zimbabwe.

ANNEX II

Vote on Role of Science and Technology

The draft resolution on the role of science and technology in the context of international security and disarmament (document A/58/458) was adopted by a recorded vote of 106 in favour to 49 against, with 19 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, France, Georgia, 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, San Marino, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States.

Abstain:  Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Brazil, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Paraguay, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, South Africa, Tonga, Ukraine, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu.

Absent:  Benin, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Iraq, Kiribati, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Niger, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu.

ANNEX III

Vote on 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/58/460) was adopted by a recorded vote of 119 in favour to none against, with

58 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  None.

Abstain:  Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Honduras, 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, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States

Absent:  Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Iraq, Kiribati, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu.

ANNEX IV

Vote on Outer Space Arms Race

The draft resolution on preventing an arms race in outer space (document A/58/461) was adopted by a recorded vote of 174 in favour to none against, with

4 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte 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, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  None.

Abstain:  Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, United States.

Absent:  Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Iraq, Kiribati, Liberia, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu.

ANNEX V

Vote on Missiles

The draft resolution on missiles (document A/58/462) was adopted by a recorded vote of 113 in favour to 3 against, with 56 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, United States.

Abstain:  Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia and Montenegro, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Uzbekistan.

Absent:  Angola, Burundi, Chad, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Iraq, Kiribati, Liberia, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu.

ANNEX VI

Vote on Regional Conventional Arms Control

The draft resolution on conventional arms control at the regional and subregional levels (document A/58/462) was adopted by 172 votes in favour to      1 against, with 1 abstention, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  India.

Abstain:  Bhutan.

Absent:  Chad, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Iraq, Kiribati, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Liberia, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Viet Nam

ANNEX VII

Vote on Confidence-Building Measures

The draft resolution on confidence-building measures in the regional and subregional context (document A/58/462-VIII) was adopted by a recorded vote of

73 in favour to 48 against, with 46 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, China, Comoros, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Gabon, Gambia, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nicaragua, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Philippines, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bhutan, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, United Kingdom, United States.

Abstain:  Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Fiji, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, South Africa, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Ukraine, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan.

Absent:  Afghanistan, Chad, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Iraq, Kiribati, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Liberia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Viet Nam.

ANNEX VIII

Vote on Multilateralism

The draft resolution on the promotion of multilateralism in the area of disarmament and non-proliferation (document A/58/462-IX) was adopted by a recorded vote of 118 in favour to 12 against, with 46 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, 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, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Albania, Bulgaria, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Marshall Islands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom, United States.

Abstain:  Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Sweden, Switzerland, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Ukraine.

Absent:  Afghanistan, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Iraq, Kiribati, Liberia, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uzbekistan.

ANNEX IX

Vote on Environmental Norms

The draft resolution on the observance of environmental norms in the drafting and implementation of disarmament and arms control agreements (document A/58/462-X) was adopted by a recorded vote of 173 in favour to 1 against, with

4 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte 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, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  United States.

Abstain:  Federated States of Micronesia, France, Israel, United Kingdom.

Absent:  Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Iraq, Kiribati, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Tuvalu.

ANNEX X

Vote on Op Para 1/ICJ Advisory Opinion

Operative paragraph 1 of the draft resolution on the ICJ advisory opinion on the legality of the threat or use of nuclear weapons (document A/58/462-XI) was adopted by a recorded vote of 165 in favour to 4 against, with 3 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte 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, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

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

Abstain:  Georgia, Portugal, United Kingdom.

Absent:  Afghanistan, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Federated States of Micronesia, Iraq, Kiribati, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Palau, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Tajikistan, Tuvalu.

ANNEX XI

Vote on ICJ Advisory Opinion

The draft resolution on the International Court of Justice advisory opinion on the legality of the threat or use of nuclear weapons (document A/58/462-XI) was adopted by a recorded vote of 124 in favour to 29 against, with 22 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Algeria, Angola, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States.

Abstain:  Andorra, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Serbia and Montenegro, Switzerland, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Uzbekistan.

Absent:  Afghanistan, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Iraq, Kiribati, Liberia, Palau, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Tajikistan, Tuvalu.

ANNEX XII

Vote on Reducing Nuclear Danger

The draft resolution on reducing nuclear danger (document A/58/462-XII) was adopted by a recorded vote of 114 in favour to 47 against, with 17 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States.

Abstain:  Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Brazil, China, Georgia, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Paraguay, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan.

Absent:  Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Iraq, Kiribati, Liberia, Palau, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Tuvalu.

ANNEX XIII

Vote on Words ‘and South Asia’

The words ‘and South Asia’ in operative paragraph 5 of the draft resolution on a nuclear-weapon-free Southern hemisphere (document A/58/462-XIV) were retained by a recorded vote of 159 in favour to 3 against, with 9 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  France, India, Pakistan.

Abstain:  Albania, Bhutan, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Myanmar, Russian Federation, Spain, United Kingdom, United States.

Absent:  Afghanistan, Chad, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Iraq, Kiribati, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Syria, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu.

ANNEX XIV

Vote on Operative Paragraph 5

Operative paragraph 5 of the draft resolution on a nuclear-weapon-free Southern hemisphere (document A/58/462-XIV) was retained by a recorded vote of

163 in favour to 2 against, with 9 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte 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, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  France, India.

Abstain:  Bhutan, Federated States of Micronesia, Georgia, Israel, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Spain, United Kingdom, United States.

Absent:  Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Iraq, Kiribati, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu.

ANNEX XV

Vote on Nuclear-Weapon-Free Southern Hemisphere

The draft resolution on a nuclear-weapon-free Southern hemisphere (document A/58/462-XIV) was adopted by a recorded vote of 163 in favour to 3 against, with

8 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte 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, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  France, United Kingdom, United States.

Abstain:  Bhutan, Federated States of Micronesia, Georgia, India, Israel, Marshall Islands, Russian Federation, Spain.

Absent:  Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Iraq, Kiribati, Liberia, Monaco, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Tuvalu.

ANNEX XVI

Vote on Non-Strategic Nuclear Weapons

The draft resolution on the reduction of non-strategic nuclear weapons (document A/58/462-XV) was adopted by a recorded vote of 128 in favour to

4 against, with 43 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  France, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, United States.

Abstain:  Albania, Armenia, Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Tajikistan, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Uzbekistan.

Absent:  Afghanistan, Chad, China, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Iraq, Kiribati, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu.

ANNEX XVII

Vote on Preambular Paragraph 20

The twentieth preambular paragraph of the draft resolution entitled “Towards a nuclear-weapon-free world:  a new agenda” (document A/58/462-XVI) was retained by a recorded vote of 128 in favour to 6 against, with 41 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Australia, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Japan, United Kingdom, United States.

Abstain:  Albania, Belgium, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Uzbekistan.

Absent:  Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Iraq, Kiribati, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu.

ANNEX XVIII

Vote on New Agenda

The draft resolution entitled “Towards a nuclear-weapon-free world: a new agenda” (document A/58/462-XVI) was adopted by a recorded vote of 133 in favour to 6 against, with 38 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  France, India, Israel, Pakistan, United Kingdom, United States.

Abstain:  Albania, Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey.

Absent:  Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Iraq, Kiribati, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Tuvalu.

ANNEX XIX

Vote on Ottawa Convention

The draft resolution on the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction (Ottawa Convention) (document A/58/462-XVIII) was adopted by a recorded vote of 153 in favour to none against, with 23 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  None.

Abstain:  Azerbaijan, China, Cuba, Egypt, Federated States of Micronesia, India, Iran, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Marshall Islands, Morocco, Myanmar, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Syria, Tajikistan, United States, Uzbekistan, Viet Nam.

Absent:  Chad, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Iraq, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Liberia, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Tuvalu.

ANNEX XX

Vote on Operative Paragraph 2/Transparency

Operative Paragraph 2 of the draft resolution on transparency in armaments (document A/58/462-XIX) was retained by a recorded vote of 153 in favour to none against, with 23 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  None.

Abstain:  Algeria, Bahrain, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Myanmar, Oman, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen.

Absent:  Chad, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Iraq, Kiribati, Liberia, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, Viet Nam.

ANNEX XXI

Vote on Operative Paragraphs 3 and 8

Operative paragraphs 3 and 8, and the last nine words in operative paragraph 4 (document A/58/462-XIX) were retained by a recorded vote of 152 in favour to none against, with 22 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  None.

Abstain:  Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Cuba, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Myanmar, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen.

Absent:  Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Iraq, Kiribati, Liberia, Palau, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Viet Nam.

ANNEX XXII

Vote on Operative Paragraph 4/Transparency

Operative paragraph 4 of the draft resolution on transparency in armaments (document A/58/462-XIX) was retained by a recorded vote of 152 in favour to none against, with 22 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  None.

Abstain:  Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Myanmar, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen.

Absent:  Chad, China, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Iraq, Kiribati, Liberia, Palau, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, Viet Nam.

ANNEX XXIII

Vote on Transparency in Armaments

The draft resolution on transparency in armaments (document A/58/462-5 XIX) was adopted by a recorded vote of 150 in favour to none against, with

27 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  None.

Abstain:  Algeria, Bahrain, China, Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Myanmar, Oman, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen.

Absent:  Belarus, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Iraq, Kiribati, Liberia, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Viet Nam.

ANNEX XXIV

Vote on Nuclear Disarmament

The draft resolution on nuclear disarmament (document A/58/462-XXI) was adopted by a recorded vote of 112 in favour to 45 against, with 20 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States.

Abstain:  Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, India, Ireland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mauritius, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Sweden, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan.

Absent:  Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Iraq, Kiribati, Liberia, Namibia, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu.

ANNEX XXV

Vote on Path to Elimination of Nuclear Weapons

The draft resolution entitled “A path to the total elimination of nuclear weapons” (document A/58/462-XXIV) was adopted by a recorded vote of 164 in favour to 2 against, with 14 abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  India, United States.

Abstain:  Bhutan, Brazil, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Egypt, Ireland, Israel, Mexico, Myanmar, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sweden.

Absent:  Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Iraq, Kiribati, Liberia, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Tuvalu.

ANNEX XXVI

Vote on Conference on Eliminating Nuclear Dangers

The draft discussion on a United Nations Conference to identify ways of eliminating nuclear dangers in the context of nuclear disarmament (document A/58/462) was adopted by a recorded vote of 133 in favour to 6 against, with

38 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  France, Israel, Monaco, Poland, United Kingdom, United States.

Abstain:  Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey.

Absent:  Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Germany, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Liberia, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Tuvalu, Ukraine.

ANNEX XXVII

Vote on Disarmament and Development

The draft decision on the relationship between disarmament and development (document A/58/462) was adopted by a recorded vote of 177 in favour to 1 against, with 2 abstentions, as follows:

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

Against:  United States.

Abstain:  Israel, Rwanda.

Absent:  Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Iraq, Kiribati, Liberia, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Tuvalu.

ANNEX XXVIII

Vote on Nuclear Weapons Convention

The draft resolution on requesting the Conference on Disarmament to negotiate a nuclear weapons convention (document A/58/463-V) was adopted by a recorded vote of 118 in favour to 46 against, with 13 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States.

Abstain:  Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan.

Absent:  Albania, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Iraq, Kiribati, Liberia, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu.

ANNEX XXIX

Vote on Sixth Preambular/Middle East

The sixth preambular paragraph on the draft resolution on the risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East (document A/58/465) was retained by a recorded vote of 162 in favour to 2 against, with 10 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  India, Israel.

Abstain:  Bhutan, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Trinidad and Tobago, United States, Vanuatu.

Absent:  Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Iraq, Kiribati, Liberia, Palau, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Tuvalu, Uzbekistan.

ANNEX XXX

Vote on Middle East Nuclear Proliferation

The draft resolution on the risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East (document A/58/465) was adopted by a recorded vote of 162 in favour to 4 against, with 10 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, United States.

Abstain:  Australia, Cameroon, Canada, Ethiopia, India, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu.

Absent:  Burundi, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Iraq, Kiribati, Liberia, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Suriname, Tuvalu, Uzbekistan.

ANNEX XXXI

Vote on Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

The draft resolution on the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (document A/58/468) was adopted by a recorded vote of 173 in favour to 1 against, with

4 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, 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, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  United States.

Abstain:  Colombia, India, Mauritius, Syria.

Absent:  Chad, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Iraq, Kiribati, Lebanon, Liberia, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Tuvalu.

* *** *

__________

*     Press Release GA/10215 of 5 December should have included the 70^th Meeting (PM).  Pages 2-4 of this press release should be (PM).