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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 001022 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CD CDG PARM PREL UNGA
SUBJECT: 63RD UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE (UNFC): DAY SEVEN OF 
THEMATIC DEBATE - CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS 
 
 This is UNFC-8 
 
--------------------- 
C1 Day 7 10-22 Thematic Debate on Conventional Weapons - 
Summary 
--------------------- 
 
¶1. (U) Summary: The First Committee on Disarmament and 
International Security conducted its thematic debate on 
conventional weapons from October 20 to 22.  This cable 
covers the final day of thematic debate on conventional 
weapons, October 22.  The following states spoke on October 
22: Gabon, China, Ecuador, Germany, Canada, Senegal, Kenya, 
Netherlands, Paraguay, Zambia, Togo, Mexico, Ireland, Iran, 
and Libya. End Summary. 
 
--------------------- 
10/22, Day 7 - Gabon, China, Ecuador, Germany, Canada, 
Senegal, Kenya, Netherlands, Paraguay, Zambia, Togo, Mexico, 
Ireland, Iran, and Libya 
--------------------- 
 
¶2. (U) Gabon: Praised the 2001 UN PoA on SA/LW and the 
adoption of an instrument on tracing and marking.  It 
appealed to member states to assist developing states to 
implement the PoA.  Gabon stated that the BMS3 final document 
bolstered the PoA but that it still contained issues that 
would need periodic review. 
 
¶3. (U) China: Reiterated its commitment to addressing the 
issue of cluster munitions and noted its assistance to Asian 
and African mine clearance projects.  China added that it 
hosted a mine clearance course for personnel from Sudan and 
provided financial assistance to other states, including Peru 
and Ecuador.  China stated that arms trade is a complicated 
issue and that states should address the issue in a 
step-by-step manner within the UN framework and based on the 
report from the GGE on an ATT.  It noted for the first time 
that it had submitted its military expenditures (for 2007) to 
the UN reporting instrument. 
 
¶4. (U) Ecuador: Called on states to support the International 
Tracing Instrument (ITI) to deal with illicit trade in SA/LW 
and to identify lawful trade to allow states to acquire arms 
for self-defense.  Ecuador stated that it requested an 
eight-year extension to meet its mine clearance deadline 
under the Ottawa Convention.  It also stated that it would 
host a conference on the CMC to address the humanitarian 
impact of cluster munitions. 
 
¶5. (U) Germany: Introduced two draft resolutions, one on 
problems arising from the accumulation of conventional 
ammunition stockpiles and surplus, and the other on 
consolidation of peace through practical disarmament 
measures.  Regarding the former, Germany stated that the GGE 
on that issue had provided guidance to move forward.  On the 
latter, Germany expressed hope that states would adopt it 
without a vote. 
 
¶6. (U) Senegal: Stated that an ATT should cover the seven 
categories of arms listed in the UN Register.  Senegal argued 
that elaborating such a treaty would realize General Assembly 
resolution 61/89 (2006).  It stated that the ITI and 
instrument on illicit brokering should become legally 
binding.  Senegal noted that the Ottawa Convention had broad 
support from member states and urged other states to accede 
to it.  It also called on states to continue technical and 
financial assistance in support of de-mining and victim 
assistance. 
 
¶7. (U) Kenya: Praised the Regional Center in Nairobi for 
SA/LW to harmonize states' work.  It expressed appreciation 
for states supporting the United Kingdom's resolution on an 
ATT.  Kenya highlighted its hosting of an African regional 
meeting last September and highlighted the outcome document. 
The document, it continued, called for an ATT that would 
encompass all conventional weapons. 
 
¶8. (U) Netherlands: Introduced the draft resolution on 
transparency in armaments, which it traditionally submits, 
and stated that it would contribute to confidence and 
security building.  (NOTE: The 1991 transparency in armaments 
resolution established the UN Register on Conventional Arms. 
END NOTE).  In the capacity of President of the 2007 First 
Conference of the High Contracting Parties to the CCW 
Protocol V, it highlighted that states parties would 
establish a forum to facilitate coordination and cooperation 
on implementation issues, a database on explosive remnants 
for requests and needs assessments, and a national reporting 
mechanism on implementation measures taken. 
 
¶9. (U) Paraguay: Highlighted that it had made advances on the 
national level in tracking SA/LW and added that civil society 
played a major role in educating people on improper use of 
SA/LW.  Regarding an ATT, Paraguay stated that it supported a 
treaty and urged states to use the GGE report recommendations 
as guidance.  It noted that it was a co-sponsor of the draft 
resolution proposing an ATT open-ended working group. 
 
¶10. (U) Zambia: Stated that it had undertaken measures to 
implement the UN PoA on SA/LW, such as establishing a focal 
point for implementation, involving civil society to deal 
with the issue, and establishing a Fire Arms Act to regulate 
SA/LW trade.  Zambia advocated expanding the scope of SA/LW 
to include man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS). 
 
¶11. (U) Togo: Facilitated two national workshops in 
September, one on SA/LW and the other on managing 
conventional weapons stockpiles.  It expressed support for 
establishing an ATT open-ended working group.  Togo welcomed 
the updating and use of the UN Register and advocated 
establishing a register for Africa. 
 
¶12. (U) Mexico: On efforts to address illicit trade in SA/LW, 
Mexico stated that it had seized approximately 37,000 
firearms and almost 2,000 grenades in the last two years.  It 
argued that states' efforts to combat SA/LW would be limited 
until international progress was made.  Mexico lamented that 
a lack of controls in certain states had led to diverting 
arms to black markets and strengthening organized crime.  It 
reiterated that it preferred starting negotiations on an ATT. 
 
¶13. (U) Ireland: Highlighted its hosting of the Oslo Process 
negotiations in Dublin and noted that since the UN Secretary 
General was the depository for the CMC, a resolution 
implementing the SYG's responsibilities needed to be adopted. 
 Ireland emphasized that the proposal did not have any 
implications for the regular budget since costs would be 
borne by CMC parties. 
 
¶14. (U) Iran: Stated that there was no urgent need to address 
arms transfers since the UN Register covers that issue.  It 
lamented that there were few measures to track transfer of 
aircraft, missiles or tanks.  Iran noted that between 60 and 
90 percent of deaths were due to small arms.  Iran stated 
that member states should aim to implement the UN PoA on 
SA/LW, rather than pursuing a separate track.  Iran bemoaned 
that the BMS3 outcome document fell far short of the UN 
standards, such as transparency and inclusiveness.  Iran also 
complained that millions of dollars in "high-tech" weapons 
were sent to the "Zionist regime." 
 
¶15. (U) Libya: On mines, it expressed concern that 
international mechanisms have not addressed the issue in a 
balanced way (i.e., they exclude the perspective of victim 
states).  It added that the unbalanced approach toward 
addressing anti-personnel mines placed an embargo on weaker 
states, precluding them from protecting their borders.  Libya 
added that member states also needed to address 
rehabilitation of victims and the protection of the 
environment.   It argued that unless member states took those 
issues into account, some may choose to abstain on related 
draft resolutions. 
Khalilzad