Fifty-ninth General Assembly                               

First Committee                                            

16^th Meeting (PM)

compliance with security agreements, Mediterranean stability

 

among issues addressed in first committee draft texts

The General Assembly -- concerned that continuation of disputes among States might contribute to the arms race and endanger international peace and security -- would urge strict compliance with all bilateral, regional and international agreements to which the contending States were parties, according to one of four draft resolutions introduced this afternoon in the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security).

Declaring that the maintenance of global peace and security was contingent on stability at the regional level, the representative of Pakistan, who introduced the draft for the second year in a row, pointed out that most threats to security in the post-cold war era arose from conflicts involving States from the same region.  He also highlighted the importance of confidence-building measures in many parts of the world, including South Asia.  After all, such measures could allow governments to devote resources to the economic betterment of their people.

Another draft presented today would have the Assembly reaffirm that stability in the Mediterranean region was closely linked to European, and indeed global, peace and security.  By a related term, it would call for full adherence to the principles of non-interference, non-intervention, and non-use of force, in accordance with the United Nations Charter and the relevant resolutions. 

Speaking about that draft, the representative of Algeria said the text reflected the commitment of the area’s countries to make their region stable and prosperous.  Telling delegates that there was a strong tradition of exchanges between the peoples of the Mediterranean, he added that it was necessary to continue that history of dialogue and joint initiatives.  In that context, he stated that working to reduce inequalities and imbalances in the region would be helpful.

Taking the floor for the first time this session, the representative of Iraqsaid his country had a new desire -- to explore science for purely peaceful purposes.  For that reason, it had committed itself to respecting all international disarmament and non-proliferation treaties.  Lamenting that many of his countrymen had been victims of terrorist attacks, he said that such acts, which aimed to create anarchy and sow terror, were not in conformity with any divine law.

By further drafts that were also introduced today, the Assembly would call upon the Conference on Disarmament to intensify efforts towards agreeing on a programme of work, and request the Secretary-General to continue to implement annually the United Nations disarmament fellowship, training and advisory services.

Drafts were also introduced by the representatives of Myanmar and Nigeria.  Speaking in the thematic debate was the representative of Iran described revisions to the draft text on missiles

The Committee, which today concluded its thematic debate and introduction of drafts, will meet again at 3 p.m. Tuesday, 26 October, to begin taking action on all draft texts.

Background

The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) met this afternoon to conclude its thematic debate and finish hearing introductions of draft resolutions and decisions.  The Committee was expected to hear introductions of drafts on the following topics:  United Nations disarmament fellowship, training and advisory services; the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean; and the report of the Conference on Disarmament.

Also:  strengthening security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region; confidence-building measures in the regional and subregional context; and the United Nations study on disarmament and non-proliferation.

According to a draft resolution sponsored by Nigeria on United Nations disarmament fellowship, training and advisory services (document A/C.1/59/L.4/Rev.1), the Assembly would request the Secretary-General to continue to implement annually the Geneva-based programme within existing resources and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its sixty-first session.

A draft resolution on the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (document A/C.1/59/L.18), sponsored by Mexico on behalf of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States, 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 those in the region, and to international governmental and non-governmental organizations and foundations to make and increase voluntary contributions to the Centre.

By a draft resolution sponsored by Myanmar on the report of the Conference on Disarmament (document A/C.1/59/L.27/Rev.1), the Assembly would call upon the Conference to further intensify efforts in conducting consultations and in exploring possibilities with a view to reaching agreement on a programme of work.

A draft resolution on strengthening security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region (document A/C.1/59/L.35) 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.

In that context, it 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 that had not yet done so 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 draft resolution is sponsored by Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Concerned that continuation of disputes among States might contribute to the arms race and endanger international peace and security and the efforts of the international community to promote arms control and disarmament, the Assembly would urge strict compliance with all bilateral, regional and international agreements to which the contending States were parties, according to a draft resolution sponsored by Pakistan on confidence-building measures in the regional and subregional context (document A/C.1/59/L.45).

The Assembly would also urge that confidence-building measures should contribute to the objectives of strategic stability, 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 to pursue the ways and means of confidence- and security-building measures, as contained in the 1993 United Nations Disarmament Commission report, through sustained consultations and dialogue. 

By the terms of a draft resolution on the United Nations study on disarmament and non-proliferation (document A/C.1/59/L.53) the Assembly would express its appreciation to the Member States, the United Nations and other international and regional organizations, civil society and non-governmental organizations, which, within their purview, implemented the recommendations made in the United Nations study (document A/57/124), as discussed in the report of the Secretary-General.  It would convey, once again, those recommendations to Member States, the United Nations and other international and regional organizations, civil society and non-governmental organizations and encourage them to report to the Secretary-General on steps taken to implement them.

In addition, it would request the Secretary-General to prepare a report reviewing the results of the implementation of the recommendations and possible new opportunities for promoting disarmament and non-proliferation education and to submit it to the General Assembly at its 61^st session.

The draft resolution is sponsored by Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Egypt, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Senegal, South Africa, Sweden, and Ukraine.

Statements

Mr. AYE (Myanmar) introduced the report of the Conference on Disarmament (Supplement Number 27, document A/59/27) containing summary of the Conference on Disarmament during its 2004 session.  He said that during the session, the Conference on Disarmament had benefited from the high-level segment of its debate which had been addressed by six foreign ministers as well as other dignitaries.  During that debate, the participants had extended their support to the Conference and had reiterated its role as the single multilateral negotiating forum of the international community.  The Conference did not, however, reach the necessary breakthrough in its work.  There was general feeling that it should intensify its consultations towards early commencement of substantive work in its 2005 session.

Mr. Aye then introduced a draft resolution on the report of the Conference on Disarmament (document A/C.1/59/L.27/Rev.1), saying that the text maintained the general language and content of previous drafts generally adopted without a vote in the General Assembly.  It gave general guidance for setting the stage for the 2005 session of the Conference.  It also welcomed the decision by the Conference to request its current president and the incoming president to conduct consultations during the intersessional period and to make recommendations.  Additionally, it requested Member States of the Conference to cooperate with the current president and with successive presidents in their efforts to guide the conference to the early commencement of substantive work in its 2005 session.  The sponsors hoped that the text would be adopted without a vote.

SAAD MAANDI (Algeria) introduced a draft resolution on the strengthening of security in the Mediterranean region (document A/C.1/59/L.35), and said that the text reflected the commitment of the area’s countries to make their region stable and prosperous.  Telling delegates that there was a strong tradition of exchanges between the peoples of the Mediterranean, he added that it was necessary to continue that history of dialogue and joint initiatives.  In that context, he stated that working to reduce inequalities and imbalances in the region would be helpful.

Remarking that the draft was similar to last year’s version, he reminded delegates that it emphasized the importance of security in the region and laid out fundamental principles that countries should follow to eliminate all causes of tension and peacefully resolve their problems.  Regarding disarmament, the draft would call upon all States that had not yet done so to accede to international disarmament and non-proliferation instruments, and encourage them to act in an open and transparent manner at all times.  In conclusion, he said that he was confident that the draft would be adopted without a vote.

CHUKA UDEDIBIA (Nigeria) introduced a draft resolution on United Nations disarmament fellowship, training and advisory services (document A/C.1/59/L.4/Rev.1) on behalf of nearly 100 co-sponsoring States.  He said that the United Nations programme of fellowships had trained 645 officials from 152 States since it was launched in 1979.  Many of them held positions of responsibility in the field of disarmament within their governments and their permanent missions to the United Nations in New York or Geneva.  It was gratifying that the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services had identified the programme as the most successful United Nations training programme it had reviewed.

The draft resolution considered the decision of the General Assembly to continue the programme.  It considered that the programme had continued to contribute significantly to developing greater awareness of the importance and benefits of disarmament and better understanding of concerns of the international community in the field of disarmament and security, as well as enhancing the knowledge and skills of fellows, allowing them to participate more effectively in efforts in the field of disarmament at all levels.  It reaffirmed the decisions of the General Assembly.  The sponsors hoped that it would, as in the past, be adopted by consensus.

GHIAS AHMAD MELA (Pakistan) introduced a draft resolution on confidence-building measures in the regional and subregional context (document A/C.1/59/L.45/Rev.1).  Declaring that the maintenance of global peace and security was contingent on stability at the regional level, he told delegates that arms races at the regional level deepened poverty and spread despair and anger.  Having tabled the draft for the first time last year, his delegation had recognized the importance of confidence-building measures in many parts of the world, including South Asia.  After all, such measures could allow governments to devote resources to the economic betterment of their people.  He also pointed out that most threats to security in the post-cold war era arose from conflicts involving States from the same region.

After many consultations, this year’s draft had been revised, he said.  However, the preambular paragraphs continued to echo the sentiments of the United Nations Charter.  He added that operative paragraphs, among other things, called upon Member States to refrain from using or threatening to use force against each other, and encouraged bilateral and regional confidence-building measures that would prevent outbreaks of violence.  Before concluding, he expressed hope that the revised draft resolution would be adopted with the full consent of the Committee.

HAMID BAIDI-NEJAD (Iran) noted that his delegation’s draft on missiles (document A/C.1/59/L.6/Rev.1) had been revised.  Specifically, after extensive consultations, operative paragraph 2 was reworded to make it clearer that, when the Secretary-General was preparing his report on areas where consensus could be reached, Member States’ views should be sought.  Although he felt that that had already been implied in the text’s previous version, his delegation had made the change in the interest of clarity.

JAFAR HAMEED (Iraq) spoke of a new Iraq, one that wanted to explore science for peaceful purposes.  For that reason, his country had committed itself to respecting all international disarmament and non-proliferation treaties.  Until becoming an official party to such instruments, Iraq would participate as an observer to all bodies governing conventions and treaties, he said.  Voicing support for all efforts aimed at complete disarmament at the regional and subregional levels, he called for the Middle East to be made a nuclear-weapon-free zone, so that peace could flourish in the region.

Lamenting that many of his countrymen had been victims of terrorist attacks, he said that such acts, which aimed to create anarchy and sow terror, were not in conformity with any divine law.  Calling on all Member States to speed up work on an instrument to prevent terrorists from acquiring, developing or producing weapons of mass destruction, he stressed that Security Council resolution 1540 (2004) should be respected throughout the world.  In addition, because he supported the convening of the fourth special session of the General Assembly, devoted to disarmament, he stood firmly behind Malaysia’s draft resolution on that topic (document A/C.1/59/L.14), which had been tabled on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.

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