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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 USUN NEW YORK 000965 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CDG KN PARM PREL UNGA CD
SUBJECT: 63RD UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE (UNFC): DAY ONE AND TWO 
OF GENERAL DEBATE 
 
 This is UNFC-1 
 
--------------------- 
C1 Days 1 and 2 (10-6 and 10-7) General Debate Summary 
--------------------- 
 
¶1. (U) Summary: The First Committee on International Security 
and Nuclear 
Disarmament conducted its general debate from October 6 to 
October 14. 
This summary comprises statements from Days 1 and 2 (October 
6 and 7) of 
the debate.  The following spoke on Day 1: Sergio Duarte, 
High 
Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Mexico on behalf of 
the Rio Group, 
Indonesia on behalf of the Nonaligned Movement, Nigeria on 
behalf of the 
African Group, France on behalf of the European Union, South 
Africa on 
behalf of the New Agenda Coalition, Brazil, China, Mexico, 
Columbia, Jamaica, 
Australia, and Bangladesh.  Syria spoke in a right of reply 
to address 
the EU remark stating that Syria was developing an undeclared 
nuclear reactor. 
The following states spoke on Day 2: Burma on behalf of 
ASEAN, Indonesia, 
Switzerland, Japan, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Bulgaria, 
Ukraine, Nigeria, 
United Arab Emirates, Canada, and the Holy See.  Iran spoke 
in a right 
of reply to EU remarks alleging Iran's non-compliance with 
Security Council 
resolutions.  Georgia and Russia spoke in rights of reply 
about their 
respective actions in the Caucuses, each accusing the other 
of disseminating 
false information.  End Summary. 
 
--------------------- 
10-6, Day 1 - Mexico (Rio Group), Indonesia (Nonaligned 
Movement), Nigeria 
(Africa Group), South Africa (New Agenda Coalition), Brazil, 
China, Mexico, 
Colombia, Jamaica, Australia, Bangladesh, Syria (Right of 
Reply) 
--------------------- 
 
¶2. (U) Mexico on behalf of the Rio Group:  The Rio Group 
called for the 
elimination of nuclear material, military nuclear programs, 
and chemical 
and biological weapons.  It expressed support for 
establishing nuclear 
weapon free zones (NWFZ) and urged states to accede to the 
Nuclear 
Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT), the Comprehensive Test Ban 
Treaty (CTBT), 
and the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW). 
The Rio Group 
remained concerned about an arms race in outer space and the 
need to reduce 
trafficking of small arms and light weapons (SA/LW).  It 
encouraged 
"denuclearizing the Korean peninsula."  The Rio Group 
reaffirmed developing 
states' rights to participate in the research, production, 
and use of nuclear 
energy for peaceful purposes. 
¶3. (SBU) Indonesia on behalf of the Non-aligned Movement 
(NAM): The NAM 
encouraged states to resolve current impasses in disarmament 
and deemed 
"multilateralism" the core principal of their efforts.  The 
NAM underlined 
concern over the "lack of progress" by nuclear weapons states 
(NWS) on NPT 
implementation.  The NAM stated its position in support of 
the non-use of 
force or the threat of the use of force against the 
territorial integrity of 
any state.  It supported developing states' rights to engage 
in research, 
production, and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. 
It called on 
the United States and Russia to reduce their nuclear arsenals 
under the 2002 
Moscow Treaty and for Israel to accede to the NPT.    It 
further requested 
that the Conference on Disarmament (CD) establish an ad hoc 
committee on 
nuclear disarmament and for all parties to work toward a 
successful 2010 NPT 
review.  Regarding the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), it 
reaffirmed the 
need for states to meet destruction deadlines, stating: "more 
than 60% of 
stockpiles still remained to be destroyed."  The NAM also 
asked states 
responsible for leaving explosive remnants of war outside of 
their 
territories to assist in their removal.  (Comment: The UK 
Representative 
observed that the statement was "very traditional."  End 
Comment) 
 
¶4. (U) Nigeria on behalf of The African Group: The Group 
stated that 
multilateralism would expedite achievement of most goals. 
The Group called 
on NWS to stop the qualitative improvement, development, 
production, and 
stockpiling of nuclear warheads and their delivery systems. 
(NOTE: This 
is almost identical to last year's statement.  END NOTE.) 
The Group stated 
its position on the non-use of force or the threat of the use 
of force 
against the territorial integrity of any state.  It called 
for "universal 
adherence" to the CTBT.  The Group argued for the 
implementation of the 
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Code of Practice on 
the 
International Transboundary Movement of Radioactive Waste to 
enhance 
protection of states from radioactive waste dumping.   As 
with the previous 
two groups, it reaffirmed developing states' rights to use 
nuclear energy 
for peaceful purposes. 
 
¶5. (U) France on behalf of the European Union:  The EU urged 
international 
organizations, regime, and treaties to play their role in 
fostering 
international security.  The EU stated that international 
security has 
been compromised by the proliferation of WMD, means of 
delivery, and 
access to those by non-state actors.  The EU reaffirmed its 
support for 
all measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring WMD and the 
means to 
deliver it.  It also expressed concern about the 
proliferation of 
ballistic missiles of increasing range.  The EU called for 
strengthening 
disarmament and nonproliferation agreements, banning the 
production of 
fissile material for nuclear weapons, strengthening 
verification measures, 
and ratifying the CTBT.  It urged all states to sign and 
bring into force 
all agreements, including the Chemical Weapons Convention 
(CWC) and the 
NPT, which it deemed "the cornerstone of the global nuclear 
nonproliferation regime."  The EU deplored Iran's refusal to 
suspend 
uranium enrichment.  It stated its support for the Six Party 
Talks but 
expressed concern over the Democratic People's Republic of 
Korea's (DPRK) 
decision to restart its reactor in Yongbyon.  (Note: This was 
before the 
recent U.S.-DPRK Agreement on Denuclearization Verification 
Measures. 
End Note)  The EU also expressed concern regarding the IAEA 
Director 
General's 4/25 remarks on Syria having an undeclared nuclear 
reactor. 
The EU also called for further U.S.-Russian discussions on 
developing a 
legally binding post-Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) 
arrangement, 
and the inclusion of tactical nuclear weapons in states' 
general arms 
control and disarmament priorities.  The EU said that it is 
considering 
contributing to an IAEA fuel bank.  It also urged states to 
restrain from 
taking action to undermine the prevention of an arms race in 
outer space. 
 
¶6. (U) South Africa on behalf of the New Agenda Coalition 
(NAC):  The NAC 
stated that as long as states possess nuclear weapons, others 
would want 
to acquire them.  It also expressed concern about nuclear 
weapons falling 
into the hands of non-state actors.   The NAC deemed the NPT 
"the 
cornerstone of nuclear disarmament" and therefore, called for 
a 
strengthening of the review process of the Treaty, among 
other things. 
It called on states to implement all commitments undertaken 
at the 1995 
and 2000 NPT reviews.  The NAC urged the DPRK to denuclearize 
peacefully 
and to rescind its withdrawal from the NPT.  It encouraged 
India, Israel, 
and Pakistan, to accede to the NPT as "non-nuclear weapon 
states" (NNWSs). 
The NAC also called for taking further steps for de-alerting 
of nuclear 
weapons.  It requested the granting of legally binding 
security assurances 
to the NNWS parties to the NPT, arguing it "would fulfill an 
undertaking 
to those states that have voluntarily given up the nuclear 
weapon option 
by becoming parties to the Treaty."  The NAC expressed 
support for 
treaties banning the production of fissile material for 
nuclear weapons 
or other nuclear explosive weapons, and reiterated support 
for the CTBT to 
enter into force. 
 
¶7. (U) Brazil:  Acknowledged the P5 statement made at the 
second NPT 
Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) meeting, which stated that 
the P5 are 
renewing their commitment to fulfilling Article VI of the 
NPT.  Brazil 
welcomed the adoption of the joint ministerial statement on 
the CTBT, and 
called on states to ratify the Treaty.  Brazil stated that, 
with New 
Zealand, it would submit a resolution on the CTBT.  It 
expressed support 
for the UN Program of Action (PoA) on SA/LW, as well as 
consultations on 
an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).  Brazil reiterated its commitment 
to overcoming 
the deadlock impairing the disarmament machinery. 
 
¶8. (U) China: Stated in particular the need to address the 
following: 
reducing nuclear arsenals, prevention of an arms race in 
outer space 
(PAROS), and resolving disputes concerning WMD proliferation. 
China stated 
that it is the only one of the five NWSs that has committed 
to no-first-use 
of nuclear weapons and non-use of nuclear weapons against 
NNWS or NWFZs. 
It promoted early entry into force of the CTBT and welcomed 
progress made 
toward addressing SA/LW issues.  It maintained that the 
denuclearization of 
the Korean Peninsula and a peaceful resolution of the Iranian 
nuclear issue 
were necessary. 
 
¶9. (U) Mexico: Called on NWS to destroy their nuclear 
arsenals.  It also 
advocated establishing NWFZs.  Mexico urged adopting the 
Cluster Munitions 
Convention (CMC) and encouraged collection and destruction of 
cluster 
munitions.  It called on states that use cluster munitions to 
participate 
in the collection and elimination of them.  Mexico advocated 
implementing 
controls to prevent the illicit trade of SA/LW and stated 
that it would 
promote a legally binding instrument on arms trade. 
 
¶10. (U) Colombia: Stated that SA/LW trade creates a serious 
problem; and called 
on states to establish controls.  It praised the UN PoA on 
SA/LW, as well as 
the Third Biennial Meeting of States.  Columbia called on 
CTBT Annex 2 states 
to ratify the Treaty.  It expressed support for the 
Government Group of Experts 
(GGE) on ATT but had hoped for a more ambitious result.  It 
highlighted its 
efforts to negotiate a Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty (FMCT). 
 
¶11. (U) Jamaica: Called on states to realize a successful 
2010 NPT review. 
Jamaica encouraged denuclearization of the DPRK.  It 
advocated establishing 
NWFZs, in particular in the Middle East.  Jamaica welcomed 
the CMC.   It 
also expressed support for efforts to curb illicit trade of 
SA/LW, including 
the UN PoA on SA/LW and the Third Biennial Meeting of States. 
 
¶12. (U) Australia:  Called for FMCT negotiations without 
preconditions. 
Australia highlighted its establishment of an international 
commission 
on nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament.  It praised the 
CMC, the UN 
PoA on SA/LW, and states efforts to implement the Mine Ban 
Convention. 
It stated it was encouraged by the bipartisan and realistic 
case for 
disarmament as set forward by U.S. statesmen Henry Kissinger, 
Sam Nunn, 
William Perry and George Shultz. 
 
¶13. (U) Bangladesh: Expressed support for preparations for 
the 2010 NPT Review 
Conference and the CTBT, and encouraged Annex 2 states to 
ratify it. 
Bangladesh urged states to eliminate land mine use and 
expressed support for 
the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons's 
(OPCW) efforts to 
eliminate chemical weapons.  It advocated states' right to 
peaceful use of 
nuclear energy and called India, Pakistan, and Israel to 
disarm.  Bangladesh 
reiterated the need for PAROS, an ATT, and a FMCT. 
 
¶14. (U) Right of Reply: 
 
Syria: Replied to the EU statement, which referred to Syria 
having an 
undeclared nuclear reactor.  Syria highlighted the IAEA 
Director General's 
September 28 statement in which he said Syria cooperated with 
the agency 
and enabled its inspectors to visit the site and surrounding 
areas.  Syria 
reiterated its call for a NWFZ in the Middle East.  It also 
accused France 
of being responsible for the Israeli nuclear dossier, which 
it alleged 
destabilized the Middle East. 
 
--------------------- 
10-7, Day 2 - Burma, Indonesia, Switzerland, Japan, Pakistan, 
Russia, Bulgaria, 
Ukraine, Nigeria, UAE, Canada, Vatican, Iran (Right of 
Reply), 
Georgia (Right of Reply) 
--------------------- 
 
¶15. (U) Burma spoke on behalf of the Association of Southeast 
Asian Nations 
(ASEAN): ASEAN expressed support for the September 2007 Final 
Declaration 
resulting from the Vienna Conference on Facilitating the EIF 
of the CTBT. 
It called on the remaining states needed for entry into force 
to ratify 
the Treaty.  ASEAN highlighted the tabling in 2007 of the 
first resolution 
on the Treaty on the South East Asia Nuclear Weapons Free 
Zone (SEANWFZ) 
and called on NWS to accede to the SEANWFZ protocol.  It 
regretted that 
the 2005 NPT Review Conference did not yield a substantive 
result and called 
for improved preparations for the 2010 NPT Review Conference. 
 ASEAN 
encouraged states to ratify the CWC and the Biological 
Weapons Convention 
(BWC), and noted that 156 states had ratified the Ottawa Mine 
Ban Treaty. 
 
¶16. (U) Indonesia: Stated that the international situation 
remains uncertain 
and is worsening due to the financial crisis.  It lamented 
the lack of 
progress made by the CD and the 2005 NPT Review, and called 
for productive 
preparation for the 2010 Review.  Indonesia praised the 
February 2008 Oslo 
conference on nuclear disarmament as well as the May 2008 
adoption of the 
CMC in Dublin.  It regretted the Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG) 
decision to 
grant an unconditional waiver on nuclear export guidelines to 
a non-NPT 
state (India).  It called for states to start negotiations on 
the FMCT and 
criticized the United States for pursuing an FMCT without 
verification. 
Indonesia encouraged IAEA involvement in the monitoring and 
verification of 
U.S. and Russian destruction of nuclear warheads.  It also 
called on states 
to work toward an ATT. 
 
¶17. (U) Switzerland: Regretted the impasse in the CD but 
praised the May 2008 
NPT PrepCom meeting and the adoption of the CMC.  Switzerland 
highlighted as 
a priority de-alerting of nuclear forces.  It expressed 
concern over the NSG 
decision to no longer demand the application of full-scope 
safeguards as a 
condition for nuclear cooperation with India. Switzerland 
also bemoaned Iran's 
lack of cooperation with the IAEA as well as the DPRK's 
decision to resume 
uranium enrichment.  It encouraged states to comply with the 
CWC.  As Mine Ban 
Treaty President, it will focus on stockpile destruction and 
mine clearance. 
It welcomed the substantive document from the Third Biennial 
Conference 
on SA/LW and the GGE report on an ATT. 
 
¶18. (U) Japan: Stated that uncertainties in some areas seem 
to be growing, 
noting that nuclear issues relating to Iran and the DPRK 
remain unresolved. 
As the Group of Eight (G8) President, Japan praised the 
inclusion of the 
first ever text on nuclear nonproliferation in the G8 Leaders 
Declaration 
at the G8 Summit in July.  It also highlighted its decision 
to chair, with 
Australia, the International Commission on Nuclear 
Non-Proliferation and 
Disarmament (ICNND).  Japan welcomed the BMS III outcome as 
well as the 
adoption of the Convention on Cluster Munitions.  It 
encouraged states 
to ratify the CTBT, start negotiations on a FMCT, discuss 
further an ATT, 
and create a legally binding successor framework to START. 
Japan also 
called on India to observe its commitments under the recent 
NSG decision. 
 
¶19. (U) Pakistan: Lamented an erosion of arms control and 
disarmament, a 
reversal of non-proliferation policies of key powers, and a 
weakening of 
United Nations disarmament institutions.  Pakistan criticized 
the deployment 
of Anti Ballistic Missile (ABM) systems, stating that it 
perpetuated 
tensions.  It also argued that "discriminatory and 
shortsighted policies 
for access to nuclear technology, for narrow gains" have 
undermined the 
nonproliferation regime.  Pakistan called for states to start 
talks on the 
FMCT and criticized "some attempts" to pursue it without 
verification. It 
also urged states to discuss the issue of existing and future 
fissile material 
stockpiles.  Pakistan announced its March 2007 establishment 
of the Strategic 
Export Control Division (SECDIV) as well as the 
implementation of a National 
Nuclear Security Action Plan.  It conveyed that its energy 
needs will exceed 
8000 MW by 2030 and reiterated that all its civilian nuclear 
reactors were 
under IAEA safeguards. 
 
¶20. (U) Russian Federation: Referred to Georgia's actions 
against South Ossetia 
as an example of the deficiencies in the European security 
architecture. 
Russia further criticized the "reckless enlargement of NATO" 
and the 
"establishment of military bases," including ABM systems near 
Russia.  It 
highlighted the new European security treaty the Russian 
Federation presented 
during the UN General Assembly General Debate.  Russia noted 
that it was 
working with the United States to create an agreement to 
succeed START.  It 
further criticized plans to deploy a global missile defense, 
arguing that it 
"creates conditions for launching a disarming nuclear-missile 
strike." 
Russia stated that U.S. plans to deploy "missile defense 
bases" in the Czech 
Republic and Poland will have a negative impact.  On PAROS, 
Russia called for 
progress on its February 2008 draft treaty presented to the 
CD.  It urged 
states to ratify the CTBT.  Russia stated that the IAEA 
Additional Protocol, 
which it signed in 2007, should become a universally accepted 
standard.  It 
supported work on the CWC and BWC.  Russia stated that the 
GGE decision on 
an ATT could contribute substantially to identify "the main 
problems and 
identify how to solve them."  However, it added that "that 
kind of elaborate 
work" is necessary before it makes any decision on "new 
arrangements" on 
arms transfers. 
 
¶21. (U) Bulgaria: Stated that the entry into force of the 
CTBT is indispensable 
and underscored the importance of the CCW.  Bulgaria 
highlighted its 
participation in the GGE on cluster munitions in the CCW and 
its work on 
cluster munitions, in particular the co-hosting of a regional 
conference on 
that issue.  It advocated the implementation of the UN PoA on 
SA/LW and the 
adoption of an ATT. 
 
¶22. (U) Ukraine: Called for wider adherence to and more 
effective 
implementation of the CWC and BWC.  Ukraine stated its 
support for NPT 
implementation, NWFZs, and states' right to peaceful use of 
nuclear energy. 
It welcomed the outcome of the second session of the 2010 NPT 
review PrepCom. 
Ukraine advocated more action on countering SA/LW, 
negotiating an ATT, and 
universalizing the CTBT.  It stated that it was ready see the 
entry into force 
of the CCW. 
 
¶23. (U) Nigeria: Praised the CTBT and Mine Ban Convention 
negotiations, as well 
as NPT extension.  It lamented the failures of the 2005 NPT 
review and UN PoA 
on SA/LW, the impasse at the CD, and ambivalence toward a 
FMCT.  Nigeria urged 
NWS to accord negative security assurances (NSAs) to NNWS. 
It highlighted its 
support for NWFZs and reaffirmed its commitment to the UN PoA 
on SA/LW.  It 
noted its accession to the UN Protocol against Illicit 
Manufacturing of and 
Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and 
Ammunition. 
 
¶24. (U) United Arab Emirates: Called for launching 
international security 
cooperation based on international law and the UN Charter. 
The UAE 
reiterated its support for the 2010 NPT review and urged 
states to pursue 
goals based on the rule of law and multilateralism.  The UAE 
called for states 
to eliminate "military arsenal(s)" and to sign/ratify the 
CTBT.  It asked all 
parties working to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue to be 
flexible and called 
on the international community to pressure Israel to accede 
to the NPT. 
 
¶25. (U) Canada: Welcomed the CMC and hoped that it would 
facilitate a new CCW 
protocol on cluster munitions.  It noted the inability of 
some states to 
comply with the Mine Ban Conventions Articles 4 and 5. 
Canada expressed hope 
for a successful 2010 NPT review and offered to act as a 
bridge-builder 
between NWS and NNWS.   It praised its efforts to prevent 
terrorists from 
acquiring WMD.  Canada commended the outcome of the Third 
Biennial Meeting of 
States, and Canada expressed support for an ATT.  It 
regretted the DPRK's 
halting of Yongbyon dismantlement and Iran's failure to 
comply with 
international obligations.  It complained of "a small handful 
of countries" 
that "blocked" a FMCT. 
 
¶26. (U) Vatican:  Praised the CMC, called for NPT compliance, 
and urged the 
entry into force of the CTBT.   The Holy See expressed 
support for a fourth 
special session of the General Assembly on disarmament.  It 
complained of 
the uncertainty regarding the CD's program of work and the 
possibility of 
an ATT. 
 
Rights of Reply: 
 
¶27. (U) Iran: Addressed the EU statement, which equated 
Security Council 
statements with those of the international community.  Iran 
stated that 
the NAM statement, which expressed support for the peaceful 
use of nuclear 
energy, was a more accurate representation of the opinion of 
the 
international community.  It argued that enrichment 
suspension was illegal 
and in contravention of the NPT.  Iran said that France had 
stated that it 
had not replied to IAEA questions, when it in fact had 
resolved 
"all outstanding issues." 
 
¶28. (U) Georgia (followed by Russia): Addressed Russia's 
remarks, accusing 
Georgia of implementing a policy of "territorial expansions." 
Georgia defended 
its actions in South Ossetia, stating that 150,000 Georgians 
were displaced 
and that the remaining residents were vulnerable.  It added 
that ethnic 
cleansing had occurred and accused Russia of using cluster 
bombs.  Russia 
responded stating that it was tired of "vilification, fiction 
and lies about 
the terrible events that have occurred."  Georgia replied a 
final time, 
stating that Russia had provided false information and called 
it out for not 
responding to Georgia's offer to participate in an "impartial 
investigation." 
Khalilzad