Despite Disarmament Progress, Deterrence Continues to Play Role in Preserving International Stability, Nuclear-Weapon States Tell First Committee
Nuclear deterrence continued to play a role in preserving regional and international stability, especially in today’s international security context, the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) heard today.
Delegates continued to exchange views on the advantages and shortcomings of the recent adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, while some nuclear-weapon States shared their perspectives on why they had not signed nor ratified it. Some speakers said the new treaty was inconsistent with provisions of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, an instrument many First Committee members regarded as the cornerstone of stemming the spread of those arms.
The representative of the Russian Federation said the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons ran counter to his country’s vision on how to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons, a process that should be gradual and verifiable. Similarly, France’s delegate said the instrument jeopardized the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty’s entry into force and was a “factor of division” at a time when the world needed greater unity.
While expressing support for the new treaty, several non-nuclear-weapon States, including those from Egypt and Senegal, also called on possessor States to adhere to their responsibilities, as outlined in its Article VI of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Others, including Guatemala’s representative said the new instrument complemented the three pillars of the Non-Proliferation Treaty – non-proliferation, the peaceful use of nuclear energy and disarmament.
Raising nuclear proliferation concerns unique to their regions, several Middle East countries reiterated the call to establish a nuclear-weapon-free zone. Lebanon’s delegate said Israel remained the only country in the Middle East yet to accede to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and continued to threaten the region’s peace and security by continuing to amass nuclear weapons and refusing to place its nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards. Iraq urged for parties to the Non-Proliferation Treaty to uphold commitments and asked for Israel’s cooperation.
Other topics highlighted during the meeting included the weaponization of outer space, the impasse regarding discussions on a fissile material cut-off treaty and the indiscriminate nature and continued danger posed by landmines and explosives.
Also speaking were the representatives of Morocco, Indonesia, Thailand, Ukraine, Italy, Paraguay, Zambia, Qatar, Kuwait, Nigeria and Japan.
Speaking in exercise of the right of reply were the representatives of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Syria, United States and Japan.
The First Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. on Thursday, 5 October, to continue its general debate.
Background
The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) continued its general debate today. For background information, see Press Release GA/DIS/3571 of 2 October.
Statements
MIKHAIL ULYANOV (Russian Federation) said the content of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons differed substantially from his Government’s vision of ways to achieve a nuclear-weapon-free world. It was not consistent with provisions of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Several provisions, in particular articles 4, 17 and 18, had raised very serious questions, he said, adding that the Russian Federation did not intend to sign or ratify the new instrument. Highlighting progress made, he said the Russian Federation had reduced its nuclear potential by 85 per cent and continued to work within the framework of the Treaty between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (New START Treaty) to reach its February 2018 target.
However, he said, the global environment was extremely unfavourable to be able to consider further reductions. Concerns included the ongoing unilateral build-up of global missile defence systems in Europe and with the United States’ Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in the Republic of Korea, and the growing probability of weapons placement in outer space. The Russian Federation had repeatedly tabled a draft resolution on the latter and he called on States that had not yet done so to co-sponsor or at least vote in its favour. Turning to other concerns, he said the Russian Federation supported recent Security Council measures addressing the situation on the Korean Peninsula, but sanctions were not a panacea and the problem could only be settled by political and diplomatic means. On Syria, he pointed out shortcomings of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons(OPCW) investigation on the use of sarin, noting that the work had been done remotely and adding that the Russian Federation had liquidated its chemical weapons three years ahead of schedule.
ABDERRAZZAK LAASSEL (Morocco), associating himself with the African Group and the Arab Group, welcomed the adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, adding, however, that it must be applied universally if it was to contribute to international and regional peace and security. Morocco called on all Member States to undertake joint efforts to address proliferation challenges and respect their obligations. It was also crucial for an international conference to be held without delay on the establishment of a zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East. On other arms challenges, he said greater efforts to strengthen regional cooperation were needed to respond to the uncontrolled circulation and illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons in the Sahel and Sahara regions.
ALICE GUITTON (France), associating herself with the European Union, appealed to all countries to condemn the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s irresponsible and provocative activities. She asked the international community to reaffirm the inviolability of the rule of non-proliferation and “bring the regime back to the negotiating table”. Condemning the use of chemical weapons in Syria, she said it was unquestionable that Syrian armed and security forces were responsible for the attack in Khan Shaykhun. On Iran's nuclear issue, France condemned that country’s missile launches, which constituted a violation of Security Council resolution 2231 (2015).
Explaining France’s position on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, she said her country had not signed the instrument, which was ineffective and fraught with risks. For France, and many States in Europe and Asia, nuclear deterrence played a role in preserving regional and international stability and security. The new instrument undermined the credibility of the non-proliferation regime, competing with the Non-Proliferation Treaty, jeopardized the Test-Ban Treaty’s entry into force and was a “factor of division” at a time when the world needed greater unity. She warned that the excessive politicization of the debate within the disarmament community would weaken the non-proliferation norms for biological weapons. The international community should redouble efforts to fully implement the Non-Proliferation Treaty, fight against the spread of conventional weapons and enhance compliance with international humanitarian law.
DIAN TRIANSYAH DJANI (Indonesia), associating himself with the Non-Aligned Movement, called on nuclear-weapon States to honour their commitments under the Non-Proliferation Treaty and on all countries to adhere to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Underscoring the importance of establishing nuclear-weapon-free zones as an important step toward a world free of those arms, he invited States to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (Treaty of Bangkok). Warning that the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty’s entry into force remained uncertain as long as the eight remaining Annex II countries did not sign and ratify it, he reminded delegates that the instrument was a tool for international security and stability and its verification regime enabled States to obtain valuable data for civil scientific purposes and humanitarian disaster management efforts.
NONTAWAT CHANDRTRI (Thailand), associating himself with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Non-Aligned Movement, said that in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, disarmament and arms control were, more than ever before, critical for fostering socioeconomic progress and a just and peaceful society for all. Like many of its neighbours, Thailand remained confronted by the challenge of explosive remnants of war. Over past decades, more than 84 per cent of Thailand’s mine-contaminated areas had been declared safe, but unforeseen circumstances were delaying their total clearance. Turning to other concerns, heightened tension on the Korean Peninsula had underscored the importance of a global norm against nuclear weapons and related testing, he said, calling on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to comply with Security Council resolutions and urging all parties to exercise restraint and work together towards resuming the Six-Party Talks and the peninsula’s denuclearization.
AMR ABDELLATIF ABOULATTA (Egypt), aligning himself with the African Group, Arab Group, Non-Aligned Movement and New Agenda Coalition, condemned the failure to declare the Middle East a nuclear-weapon-free zone. Such a selective approach was linked to some of the challenges facing the world today, including on the Korean Peninsula. The international community must renew the non-proliferation regime’s credibility, particularly after three States had blocked consensus at the Non-Proliferation Treaty’s 2015 Review Conference, he said, noting that until now, nuclear-weapon States could not commit to Article VI and there was a danger of those weapons being used. That threat was growing as nuclear-weapon States were modernizing and upgrading their arsenals. Welcoming the adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, he said the instrument did not contradict the Non-Proliferation Treaty. At the same time, he objected to any attempt to violate the inalienable right of countries to possess or develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Finally, he expressed reservations at the lack of definitions on how to achieve goals set out in 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.
NAWAF SALAM (Lebanon), noting his delegation’s support for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, said the Non-Proliferation Treaty was a cornerstone for nuclear disarmament despite the failure to reach consensus on an outcome document at its 2015 Review Conference. Israel remained the only country in the Middle East yet to accede to the instrument and continued to threaten the region’s peace and security by continuing to amass nuclear weapons and refusing to place its nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards. Voicing support for all initiatives addressing the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons, he said the First Committee should work to increase awareness of the harm caused to civilians by explosive weapons in populated areas and of the environmental dimension of armed conflicts. It should also consider cybersecurity-related concerns and determine the links between such issues as nuclear safety, autonomous lethal weapons and the network systems through which drones operated.
SERHIY SHUTENKO (Ukraine), expressing support for multilateral approaches to disarmament, acknowledged the difficulties in implementing and bringing into force existing international treaties. Efforts must be redoubled because the use of nuclear weapons was the most serious threat humankind had ever faced. Regrettably, the credibility and efficiency of some of the key pillars of the Non-Proliferation Treaty had been seriously undermined, he continued, recalling that Ukraine’s decision to renounce its nuclear weapons had largely been based on clear international security assurances. Citing the enormous destructive power of conventional weapons, the Russian Federation’s military aggression against Ukraine had significantly damaged the existing arms control system and illegal transfers of military goods to Ukrainian territory was destabilizing subregional and European security. The tragic humanitarian consequences of foreign military aggression included civilian casualties and the placement of anti-personnel mines by illegal armed groups supported by the Russian Federation. Calling on the international community to consider the seriousness and gravity of the situation on the ground, he said Ukraine was in compliance with its obligations related to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons and the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction.
VINICIO MATI (Italy), associating himself with the European Union, said Italy was extremely concerned by the situation on the Korean Peninsula and called on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner. Italy welcomed IAEA confirmation of Iran’s ongoing compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, adding that the international community should continue to work to ensure that that agreement remained a success story. The Non-Proliferation Treaty was the only realistic legal framework for a world free of nuclear weapons and that goal must be pursued in a step-by-step and verifiable way, in accordance with Article VI of the instrument.
SARHAD FATAH (Iraq), associating himself with the Arab Group and Non-Aligned Movement, expressed support for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Emphasizing that Iraq advocated for a multilateral approach to disarmament and non-proliferation, he recalled the central role played by the Conference on Disarmament. While welcoming its efforts made to adopt a decision in 2017, he expressed regrets that the Conference on Disarmament was unable to deal with the items on its agenda and asked members for greater political will and flexibility to ensure its success. Likewise, Iraq supported the Commission on Disarmament and welcomed its recommendations on confidence-building measures in the field of conventional weapons, but criticized its inability to agree on provisions on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. On nuclear-weapon-free zones, he raised concerns about the failure to create such a zone in the Middle East, urging parties to the Non-Proliferation Treaty to uphold commitments and asking for Israel’s cooperation.
JULIO CÉSAR ARRIOLA RAMÍREZ (Paraguay), welcoming the adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, said similar progress was being made in areas including conventional weapons. At the national level, Paraguay had enhanced transparency in military expenditures and destroyed surplus and excess arsenals. Paraguay was also committed to implementing public policies to prevent weapons of mass destruction reaching non-State actors, but technical assistance was needed to create effective mechanisms and legislation related to terrorism activities. On cybersecurity, Paraguay had adopted a national plan to promote safety. While committed to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, he expressed concerns about the continuous improvement and development of nuclear weapons. Condemning the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s recent actions, he called for a progressive expansion of nuclear-weapon-free zones, noting that Paraguay advocated for the peaceful use of nuclear energy and was committed to the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco).
CHRISTINE KALAMWINA (Zambia), associating herself with the Non-Aligned Movement and the African Group, said “little has been achieved” despite a number of multilateral treaties aimed at the elimination of nuclear proliferation and testing, including through the Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. Noting that all African nations were party to the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba), she urged States in other regions that had not attained such targets to work towards them. Nuclear energy should be viewed as a public good as opposed to a driver of weaponry systems, she stressed, expressing support for IAEA initiatives. On conventional weapons, Zambia was a party to the Arms Trade Treaty and was establishing measures to implement it, including a national control list and mechanisms to enhance inter-agency cooperation.
JORGE SKINNER-KLÉE (Guatemala), associating himself with the Non-Aligned Movement, said the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons was a fundamental step toward disarmament that complemented the three fundamental pillars of non-proliferation. Recent developments in the international security context and current challenges had generated new disarmament routes to follow, he said, reiterating that the Non-Proliferation Treaty remained the foundation for legally binding commitments. On conventional weapons, he raised concerns that citizens’ security was being threatened by the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons and underlined the significance of the Arms Trade Treaty. Condemning the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s recent actions, he called for a peaceful resolution of the crisis on the Korean Peninsula.
TALAL AL-KHALIFA (Qatar), associating himself with the Arab Group and Non-Aligned Movement, said efforts must be redoubled to address today’s security challenges, including the threat of nuclear weapons falling into the hands of terrorist groups and non-State actors. Qatar promoted cooperation to counter such dangers, he said, urging all States parties to Non-Proliferation Treaty to comply with commitments. Noting a lack of progress in the Middle East on that issue, he expressed hope that the region would be free of nuclear weapons. More generally, he highlighted the importance of investing in conflict prevention and promoting peacebuilding through mediation. On cybersecurity, a void in international legislation to regulate such a vital and dangerous domain must be filled, especially in penalizing acts of cyberpiracy. For its part, Qatar was committed to eliminating weapons of mass destruction and had implemented national awareness-raising initiatives like training and workshops for young people.
TALAL ALFASSAM (Kuwait), associating himself with the Arab Group and Non-Aligned Movement, said his country had always been among the first to ratify international conventions related to non-proliferation. Calling on the international community to respect every disarmament treaty, above all, the Non-Proliferation Treaty, he said the people of the Middle East were waiting for the day when it would be rid of nuclear weapons and all weapons of mass destruction. Unfortunately, nuclear-weapon States continued to shun their responsibilities and it was time the international community redoubled efforts to create a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East. Turning to nuclear bomb testing, he said such weapons did not recognize borders and would affect the lives of millions of people and the environment. To address the issue of testing, he called for restraint and urged States to make use of diplomacy while trying to find solutions.
GORGUI CISS (Senegal), associating himself with the African Group and Non‑Aligned Movement, said crises that continued to rage around the world made the non-proliferation process more difficult. Despite the adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, nuclear-weapon States needed to honour their commitments, as outlined in the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Given the current context of terrorist threats and non-State actors acquiring weapons of mass destruction, multilateralism was the only way to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons. Turning to small arms and light weapons, the innovative measures to make the fight against the illicit trade more efficient had been identified at the Biennial Meeting of States to Consider the Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects. However, he regretted the lack of consensus on the Programme of Action on Small Arms, noting that some countries had condemned the lack of an explicit reference to the weapons trade. Welcoming the entry into force of the Arms Trade Treaty, Senegal was trying to implement it by sharing best practices and encouraging regional cooperation and civil society participation. Concerned that discussions about a fissile material cut-off treaty was at an impasse, he warned that stocks could fall into the wrong hands.
TIJJANI MUHAMMAD BANDE (Nigeria), associating himself with the African Group and Non-Aligned Movement, highlighted the “astronomical proportion” of global defence budgets, including enormous resources devoted to nuclear arsenals by nuclear-weapon States. The carnage stemming from uncontrolled access to conventional weapons, including small arms and light weapons, was meanwhile unprecedented. Recent terrorist acts and the preponderance of insurgent groups, including in Nigeria, were an opportunity to reconsider positions and obligations vis-à-vis the Arms Trade Treaty. Welcoming the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, he said Member States had a duty to respect the environment by upholding the moratorium on nuclear testing. On the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s nuclear tests, he called for a concerted effort by all Member States to engage that country with a view to denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula. The Treaty of Pelindaba was a shield for the continent, he said, calling on all Member States to support the replication of similar instruments elsewhere, including in the Middle East.
NOBUSHIGE TAKAMIZAWA (Japan) said nuclear disarmament and national security were entirely interlinked. It was neither feasible nor effective to pursue disarmament without regard for existing international security concerns, he said, emphasizing that promoting nuclear disarmament depended on rebuilding cooperation and trust among nuclear-weapon States and non-nuclear-weapon States. Rather than criticizing various approaches, it was essential to focus on revitalizing practical and concrete measures. Calling upon nuclear-weapon States to take further concrete disarmament measures towards the Non-Proliferation Treaty’s 2020 Review Conference by implementing agreed upon steps, he underscored the importance of transparency and risk reduction. On the situation on the Korean Peninsula, he condemned the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s repeated nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches, which were flagrant violations of relevant Security Council resolutions, adding that the international community must reinforce all possible measures collectively and robustly against that security threat. For its part, Japan would once again submit a draft resolution on united action with renewed determination towards the elimination of nuclear weapons, he said, expressing hope to garner further support from Member States.
Right of Reply
The representative of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, speaking in exercise of the right of reply, said some countries had failed to understand the root cause of the situation on the Korean Peninsula and were not qualified to talk about the issue. He wondered whether France, a nuclear-weapon State that believed such arms were so dangerous, would eliminate their own nuclear arsenal to set an example. Rejecting comments made by his counterpart from Japan, he said that country was a logistic base of the United States, had facilitated the production of nuclear weapons and was working hard to turn itself into a military giant, using the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea as a pretext to invade other countries. Japan’s provocations were meant to hide their ambitions on the Asian continent, he said.
The representative of Syria, responding to comments made by his counterpart from France, said France had participated in aggression against Syria in connection with armed terrorists, including Nusrah Front and Al-Qaida. He encouraged the delegate from France to read the book Road to Damascus, which discussed the involvement of former French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius with chemical weapons that were used on several occasions.
The representative of the United States, responding to the Russian Federation’s delegate’s comment on the THAAD system, said its deployment in no way threatened the strategic nuclear forces of the Russian Federation or China. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea had violated countless Security Council violations and the United States had rejected China’s “freeze for freeze” proposal, which created a “false equivalency”. Responding to his counterpart from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, he said the United States posed no threat to that country. Rather, the issue was between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the international community, not the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the United States, he said, calling for an end to provocative rhetoric and attacks.
The representative of Japan, responding to the “groundless” comments made by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s delegate, urged that country to comply with relevant Security Council resolutions. For its part, Japan’s defence budget was transparent and all nuclear material was under IAEA safeguards.
The representative of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea said the United States had been threatening it for more than 70 years. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea had to strengthen and develop its nuclear force for the purpose of deterrence and preventing a military invasion. Further, Japan’s delegate, who made provocative allegations, had no qualifications to criticize the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s rocket launch tests.
The representative of the United States said the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was destabilizing the Korean Peninsula and beyond. The United States was committed to protect its people, military forces and its allies in Asia.