[EXCERPTS] CONTRIBUTION OF NUCLEAR-WEAPON-FREE ZONES
TO DISARMAMENT HIGHLIGHTED IN DISARMAMENT COMMISSION
22 April 1997 Press Release DC/2580
Speakers Say Four Existing Treaties Raise Prospect of Nuclear-Free Southern Hemisphere
The contribution new nuclear-weapon-free zones could make towards disarmament efforts was highlighted this morning in the Disarmament Commission, as it discussed nuclear disarmament, limitations on conventional weapons and the upcoming fourth General Assembly session on disarmament. The representative of Viet Nam said that the 1967 Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco), the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Rarotonga), the African Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba) and the South-East Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Treaty (Bangkok Treaty) had raised the prospect of a nuclear-weapon-free Southern hemisphere. Those regional efforts should be supported by the nuclear-weapon States. Thailand's representative said that adoption of the 1995 Bangkok Treaty had reaffirmed the obligations of the signatories under the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), guaranteed the right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, and safeguarded the environment from nuclear waste. The representative of Mongolia noted that it had declared itself to be a "single-State" nuclear-weapon-free zone. The representative of New Zealand told the Commission that virtually all the Southern hemisphere and significant parts of the Northern hemisphere, were now covered by nuclear-weapon-free zones and that could be built upon to reinforce progress towards disarmament. The differing provisions of each treaty might make the creation of formal linkages complex and difficult, but there was scope for developing political links between the four existing or potential nuclear-weapon-free zones. The representatives of Ecuador, Canada and Bangladesh also addressed the Commission. The Commission will meet again this afternoon at 3 p.m. to continue its general debate. _----------_ * Meeting No. 210 was a closed meeting. Work Programme The Commission on Disarmament met this morning to continue its general debate. During its 1997 substantive session, which will conclude on 13 May, the Commission will consider: the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones; the proposed fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament; and guidelines on conventional arms control/limitation and disarmament, with particular emphasis on the consolidation of peace, in the context of General Assembly resolution 51/45 N. (For further details, see Press Release DC/2579 issued 21 April.) Statements PETER RIDER (New Zealand) said virtually all the Southern hemisphere and significant parts of the Northern hemisphere were now covered by nuclear- weapon-free zones. The potential existed to build upon that and reinforce progress towards disarmament. The differing provisions of each treaty might make the creation of formal linkages complex and difficult, but there was scope for developing political links between the four existing or potential nuclear-weapon-free zones. Brazil's introduction of General Assembly resolution 51/45 B on a nuclear-weapon-free Southern hemisphere and adjacent areas was an important first step, which would lead to increased links and cooperation between nuclear-weapon-free zones. His Government, both nationally and with like-minded colleagues, was ready to propose further steps for the Commission's consideration. He said it was not in the interests of the overall disarmament and arms control agenda for any country to stand in the way of a General Assembly special session in 1999, which could provide an efficient structure for disarmament efforts. The session must deliver a substantive and balanced outcome, not an insuperable obstacle. A possible draft agenda could include both nuclear and conventional items and the disarmament machinery. Such a holistic approach was necessary if the special session was to develop a practical programme on which nations could draw to assist their disarmament efforts. ....... Disarmament Commission - 3 - Press Release DC/2580 211th Meeting (AM) 22 April 1997 JARGALSAIKHANY ENKHSAIKHAN (Mongolia) said that the importance of nuclear-weapon-free zones were gaining importance. His Government believed that such a zone should be created in the Middle East. Also, his Government had made efforts to promote the creation of such a zone in Central Asia. Consultations between Mongolia and the Kyrgyz Republic had demonstrated that the idea was gaining support. Many States were embracing the idea. He said the recent non-aligned ministerial meeting in New Delhi had declared its support for Mongolia's efforts to institutionalize its status as a nuclear-weapon-free zone, as declared in 1992. The support expressed by Mongolia's two neighbouring nuclear Powers, China and the Russian Federation, as well as by Japan, the Western European States and Others, had shown that the notion of a "single-State zone" was politically possible and acceptable. A single-State nuclear-weapon-free zone had distinct advantages, he said. The geographic scope was well-defined and there was no need for intra- zonal negotiation or coordination. A Disarmament Commission working group could consider the question of single-State zones with a view to establishing guidelines or recommendations for the General Assembly. The proposed fourth special session of the General Assembly on disarmament should assess the post-cold-war disarmament situation and the need for a different approach to security, he said. It should reaffirm the central role of the United Nations in disarmament and should set a disarmament agenda for the twenty-first century. It was important that it agree on a phased programme for the reduction and eventual elimination of nuclear-weapon stockpiles. Significant conventional disarmament was only possible in the context of nuclear disarmament, he said. EMILIO IZQUIERDO (Ecuador) expressed satisfaction at the recent thirtieth anniversary of the opening for signing of the 1967 Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco), which had, together with other treaties, established a vast swath of nuclear weapon-free territory in the Southern hemisphere. Disarmament Commission - 4 - Press Release DC/2580 211th Meeting (AM) 22 April 1997 GORDON VACHON (Canada) said the establishment of additional nuclear- weapon-free zones on the basis of arrangements freely arrived at among the States concerned, particularly in regions afflicted with conflicts, enhanced regional and global peace and security and contributed to non-proliferation and disarmament. He encouraged adherence by the nuclear-weapon States to the nuclear-weapon-free zones arrangements. His Government supported the countries of Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and the South Pacific in concluding nuclear-weapon-free zone treaties. He welcomed the consensus in the General Assembly on the annual resolution urging the establishment of such a zone in the Middle East region and noted progress in South-East Asia -- represented by the Bangkok Treaty. He also welcomed initiatives that encouraged zones in Central Asia, such as the Almaty Declaration adopted by the leaders of Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. He said discussions on the proposed special session of the General Assembly on disarmament should point the way to an appropriate framework and balanced agenda that would attract consensus. Canada would present a paper to the working group entitled "Criteria for evaluating potential agreements or measures to control arms and promote stability". ANWARUL KARIM CHOWDHURY (Bangladesh) said he wished to reiterate his Government's policy commitment to the concept and principle of nuclear-weapon- free zones and also zones of peace. The total elimination of nuclear weapons was his Government's goal. Nuclear-weapon-free zones could supplement global efforts towards the ultimate objective of a world free from nuclear threats. Weapons of mass destruction naturally received more attention than so-called conventional arms, he continued. And yet, successive accumulations of such arms not commensurate with legitimate security concerns could also be a major destabilizing factor. It was often said that developing countries, in particular, should exercise the utmost restraint with respect to defence expenditure, so as to ensure that procurement did not exceed legitimate security requirements. Yet, in 1996 military expenditure as a share of gross domestic product stayed constant for most countries. Economy in the defence sector would mean more funds for the development sector, he said. However, to be effective and realistic, such a prescription should impose restrictions and constraints on arms exporting countries. It was unrealistic to expect producers not to manufacture what they could profitably sell and not to consolidate markets through persuasion and liberal incentives. Disarmament Commission - 5 - Press Release DC/2580 211th Meeting (AM) 22 April 1997 MANOP MEKRAYOONTHONG (Thailand) said that the South-East Asia Nuclear- Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Bangkok Treaty) of 15 December 1995 was the first treaty to be jointly concluded by all 10 countries of the region. It sought to reaffirm the obligations of the signatories under the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), to guarantee the right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, and to safeguard the environment from nuclear waste. The Treaty also recognized the rights of States under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, in particular with respect to freedom of the high seas and rights of innocent passage, archipelagic sea lanes passage or transit passage of ships and aircraft consistent with the Charter of the United Nations. A Protocol attached to the Bangkok Treaty had been opened for signature by the five nuclear-weapon States, he said. As stated in the Principles and Objectives for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament, adopted at the 1995 Review and Extension Conference of the NPT, the cooperation of all nuclear weapon-States was necessary for nuclear-weapon-free zones to be of maximum effectiveness. He urged the five nuclear-weapon States to endorse the Protocol to the Bangkok Treaty. PHAM QUANG VINH (Viet Nam) said that nuclear-weapon-free zones greatly contributed to enhancing international peace and security. The Treaty of Tlatelolco, which established the first such zone, would be 30 years old this year. Three more such zones had been established -- the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Rarotonga), the African Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba) and the Bangkok Treaty. Taken together, those treaties had raised the prospect of a nuclear-weapon-free southern hemisphere. Those regional efforts should be supported by the nuclear-weapon States, he said.
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