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UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000996 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CD CDG KN PARM PREL UNGA
SUBJECT: 63RD UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE (UNFC): DAY ONE, TWO AND 
THREE OF THEMATIC DEBATE - NUCLEAR WEAPONS 
 
This is UNFC-5 
 
--------------------------------------------- 
C1 Days 1, 2 and 3 10-14, 10-15 and 10-16 
Thematic Debate on Nuclear Weapons - Summary 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶1. (U) Summary: The First Committee on Disarmament and 
International Security conducted its thematic debate on 
nuclear weapons from October 14 to 16.  This summary 
comprises statements from all three days (October 14, 15 and 
16) of the debate.  On Day 1, representatives from the 
following states spoke: France on behalf of the EU, Lebanon 
on behalf of the Arab Group, Brazil on behalf of the Southern 
Common Market (MERCOSUR), Indonesia on behalf of the 
Nonaligned Movement (NAM), Kyrgyzstan on behalf of Central 
Asia, Canada, and South Africa.  In a right of reply, Syria 
responded to France's statement on behalf of the EU referring 
to Syria's construction of an undeclared nuclear reactor, 
stating that it adhered to the Nuclear Nonproliferation 
Treaty (NPT) and the IAEA.  On Day 2, representatives from 
the following international organizations opened the debate, 
followed by additional statements by states' representatives: 
United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), 
Conference on Disarmament (CD), Organization for the 
Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Preparatory 
Commission of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty 
Organization (CTBTO), International Atomic Energy Agency 
(IAEA), Australia, Chile, Norway, Pakistan, Japan, Austria, 
Russia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Cuba, and Kuwait.  In a right 
of reply, Syria responded to Australia's statement on Syria's 
undeclared nuclear reactor, defending its record of 
compliance and stating that Australia ignored the threat of 
Israel's nuclear weapons.  On Day 3, representatives from the 
following states spoke: South Africa on behalf of the New 
Agenda Coalition (NAC), United Kingdom, Mongolia, United 
States, China, United Arab Emirates, Mexico, Turkey, 
Bangladesh, Burma, Republic of Korea (ROK), Algeria, 
Kazakhstan, Egypt, Qatar, India, Switzerland, and the 
Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). 
 
------------------------------------------ 
10/14, Day 1 - France on behalf of the EU, 
Lebanon on behalf of the Arab Group, 
Brazil on behalf of (MERCOSUR), Indonesia 
on behalf of the NAM, Kyrgyzstan on behalf 
of Central Asia, Canada, and South Africa 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶2. (U) France on behalf of the EU: Called for strengthening 
disarmament and nonproliferation treaties and agreements by 
negotiating new treaties, such as the Fissile Material Cutoff 
Treaty (FMCT).  It stated that the 2010 NPT Review Conference 
should include measures to discourage states from withdrawing 
from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT).  The EU urged 
the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and the Zangger Commission 
to share with states their experiences with export controls 
 
 
with non-nuclear weapons states (NNWS) to help address 
increasing trade in nuclear-related items.  It stated it 
supported further progress on U.S.-Russian efforts to 
establish a post-START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) 
arrangement and reduce nuclear weapon stockpiles. 
 
¶3. (U) Lebanon on behalf of the Arab Group: Stated that 
establishing a Middle East nuclear weapons free zone (NWFZ) 
was of the utmost importance.  The Group added that Israel's 
non-adherence to the NPT was a deterrent to ridding the 
region of nuclear weapons.  It called on all states to comply 
with the NPT, emphasizing that all Arab Group states abide by 
it. 
 
¶4. (U) Brazil on behalf of MERCOSUR: Argued that the 
indefinite extension of the NPT did not entail the indefinite 
possession of nuclear weapons by nuclear weapon states (NWS). 
 MERCOSUR called on states that have not yet signed or 
ratified the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) to do so. 
It also called on states to sign or ratify the treaties 
establishing NWFZs. 
 
¶5. (U) Indonesia on behalf of the NAM: Expressed concern 
about NWS' resistance to eliminating nuclear arsenals and 
about certain strategic defense doctrines, such as the NATO 
Alliance Strategic Concept.  The NAM stated in particular 
that the United States improved existing nuclear weapons and 
envisaged new weapons as part of its nuclear posture review. 
The NAM alleged that these actions contravened security 
assurances by the United States.  The NAM called on the 
United States and Russia to further reduce nuclear arsenals 
and added that reductions in deployments and operational 
status were not substitutes.  The NAM also said that it was 
concerned about the deployment of anti-ballistic missile 
(ABM) defense systems. 
 
¶6. (U) Kyrgyzstan on behalf of Central Asia: Stated that an 
important part of the Central Asian NWFZ (CANWFZ) was for NWS 
to provide security assurances to NNWS.  The Central Asia 
Group praised the CANWFZ as a breakthrough in the stalemate 
in disarmament discussions.  The Group added that parliaments 
of several governments had moved "forward toward supporting" 
the CANWFZ. 
 
¶7. (U) Canada: Highlighted what it deemed successes in arms 
control and disarmament.  Canada mentioned the United 
Kingdom's plans to reduce its strategic arsenal and develop, 
with Norway, a project to determine how an agreement to 
eliminate nuclear weapons could be verified.  Canada also 
mentioned that the United States' dismantling efforts were 
ahead of schedule.  It welcomed the five new CTBT 
"ratifiers:" the Bahamas, Barbados, Malaysia, Burundi, and 
Colombia.  It noted North Korea's readmission of inspectors 
and recommencement of disablement. 
 
¶8. (U) South Africa: Argued that negative security assurances 
(NSAs) from NWS were a key element of the NPT.  South Africa 
 
 
also advocated for early entry into force of the CTBT.  It 
expressed disappointment with the CD's inability to begin 
negotiations on a Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty (FMCT). 
 
¶9. (U) Rights of Reply: 
 
Syria (followed by France): Addressed France's statement on 
behalf of the EU in which it referenced France's October 6 
remark stating that Syria maintained an undeclared nuclear 
reactor.  Syria noted that it adhered to the NPT and the 
IAEA, and mentioned a September 2008 IAEA letter highlighting 
Syria's compliance.  France responded, stating that the EU 
hoped that Syria would continue cooperating with the IAEA. 
 
------------------------------------------- 
10/15, Day 2 - United Nations Office 
for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), 
Conference on Disarmament (CD), 
Organization for the Prohibition of 
Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Preparatory 
Commission of the Comprehensive 
Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), 
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), 
Australia, Chile, Norway, Pakistan, Japan, 
Austria, Russia, New Zealand, Indonesia, 
Cuba, and Kuwait 
------------------------------------------- 
 
¶10. (U) Opening Remarks: UNODA (Sergio Duarte, United Nations 
High Representative for Disarmament Affairs) characterized 
the state of disarmament and arms control as "unstable." 
UNODA stated that a lack of any multilateral legal 
obligations in certain fields, e.g. missiles, created 
challenges for related legal regimes, such as the NPT and 
CTBT.  The CD's Deputy Secretary General, Tim Caughley, 
stated that it had come closer to a program of work.  It 
considered its main development of 2008 to be the proposal by 
the six presidents to address the Conference's agenda 
priorities.  The OPCW's Director General, Ambassador Rogelio 
Pfirter, stated as of September 2008 that it had verified the 
destruction of 41.25 percent of declared Category 1 chemical 
weapon stockpiles, 51.8 percent of declared Category 2 
chemical weapon stockpiles, and 100 percent of declared 
Category 3 chemical weapon stockpiles.  The CTBTO Prepcom's 
Executive Secretary, Tibor Toth, reported that it now had 180 
members and nearly 70 percent of the International Monitoring 
System had been certified.  On verification, he noted its 
participation in Kazakhstan's integrated field exercise.  The 
IAEA's Representative of the Director General, Gustavo 
Zlauvinen, stated that 30 NPT NNWS had not yet entered into 
force comprehensive safeguards agreements and more than 100 
states had not yet acceded to the Additional Protocols.  It 
added that it evaluated more than 160 states and applied 
safeguards to more than 950 nuclear facilities and 
installations. 
 
¶11. (U) Australia: It welcomed the nuclear warhead reductions 
 
 
that the United States and Russia carried out and added that 
further cuts beyond the "Moscow Treaty" would be necessary. 
Australia lamented that nine Annex 2 states had yet to ratify 
the CTBT.  It expressed support for the recent U.S.-DPRK 
agreement and noted the U.S. removal of the DPRK from the 
U.S. State Sponsors of Terrorism list. 
 
¶12. (U) Chile:  It highlighted the importance of the 
Kissinger, Shultz, Nunn, and Perry Wall Street Journal 
articles that Chile stated recognized the need to move toward 
disarmament.  Chile called on states to move toward entry 
into force of the CTBT and to take additional steps to 
"elaborate" on the FMCT. 
 
¶13. (U) Norway: Norway underscored the February 2008 Oslo 
recommendations, including the need to move toward 
establishing non-discriminatory fuel cycle arrangements in 
cooperation with the IAEA.  It also welcomed the 
Australian-Japanese high-level commission on disarmament and 
nonproliferation. 
 
¶14. (U) Pakistan: Called on states to enable the CD to 
address its agenda items, including prevention of an arms 
race in outer space (PAROS), as well as a verifiable FMCT. 
It urged NWS to provide NSAs to NNWS.  Pakistan stated that 
it opposed unfair restrictions on states' rights to use 
nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. 
 
¶15. (U) Japan: It stated that the Group of Eight (G8) 
Leaders' Declaration, for the first time, called on states to 
reduce nuclear weapon stockpiles.  Japan praised France for 
having done so, and encouraged the United States and Russia 
to implement the Moscow Treaty and negotiate a successor to 
the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START).  Japan noted the 
recent U.S.-DPRK agreement and reaffirmed its commitment to 
the Six Party negotiations. 
 
¶16. (U) Austria: Austria, in a slightly veiled reference to 
the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation Initiative, lamented 
the NSG's decision regarding an export control exemption for 
a non-NPT member state.  It argued that the exemption called 
into question whether the international community accorded 
the Treaty the same priority it did 10 years ago.  Austria 
advocated advancing "multilateralization" of the nuclear fuel 
cycle, and as a first step, creating an international fuel 
reserve under IAEA auspices. 
 
¶17. (U) Russia: Stated that it had been negotiating with the 
current U.S. Administration for over three years to create an 
accord to replace START.  Russia called on states, mentioning 
in particular the nine Annex 2 states, to sign or ratify the 
CTBT.  It expressed support for the CANWFZ and SEANWFZ. 
Russia deemed "fundamental" NWS' granting of NSAs to NNWS, 
and added that it had provided such assurances to over 100 
states. 
 
¶18. (U) New Zealand:  Reiterated that its focus would remain 
 
 
on the NPT and advocated states' pursuit of confidence 
building measures (CBMs), such as systematized nuclear 
accounting and nuclear weapons de-alerting.  It stated it 
would again propose a resolution on de-alerting.  New Zealand 
re-confirmed its commitment to the Proliferation Security 
Initiative (PSI).  It noted that last year it joined the 
Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism. 
 
¶19. (U) Indonesia: Indonesia called on NWS to move away from 
rhetoric and take steps toward disarmament, adding that 
interim measures such as nuclear weapons de-alerting would be 
necessary.  It argued that nuclear cooperation between NPT 
parties and non-parties will undermine the Treaty. 
 
¶20. (U) Cuba: Stated that of the approximately 32,300 nuclear 
weapons in existence, over 12,000 were ready for immediate 
use, and argued that it was an incentive for proliferation. 
Cuba emphasized the importance of the International Court of 
Justice's (ICJ's) 1996 opinion on the obligation to pursue in 
good faith and to bring to a conclusion negotiations leading 
to disarmament.  Cuba reiterated it considered nuclear 
weapons "illegal" and "immoral." 
 
¶21. (U) Kuwait: Expressed support for a Middle East NWFZ and 
called on Israel to accede to the NPT.  Kuwait stated that 
current scope of global and regional challenges made it 
adhere more to international instruments and relevant 
disarmament agreements. 
 
¶22. (U) Right of Reply: 
 
Syria: Responded to Australia's statement in which it accused 
Syria of constructing an undeclared nuclear reactor.  Syria 
chastised Australia for ignoring the threat of Israel's 
nuclear weapons, its continued violation of international 
law, and aggression against Syria.  Syria stated that 
Australia should have commended Syria for its compliance and 
condemned Israel for its refusal to join the NPT. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
10/16, Day 3 - South Africa on behalf of the New Agenda 
Coalition (NAC), United Kingdom, Mongolia, United States, 
China, United Arab Emirates, Mexico, Turkey, Bangladesh, 
Burma, Republic of Korea (ROK), Algeria, Kazakhstan, 
Egypt, Qatar, India, Switzerland, and the Democratic 
People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
 
¶23. (U) South Africa on behalf of the NAC: Introduced the 
NAC's draft resolution on nuclear disarmament and 
nonproliferation.  The NAC stated that it would accelerate 
implementation of nuclear disarmament agreements stemming 
from the 1995 and 2005 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) 
Review Conferences (RevCons). 
 
¶24. (U) United Kingdom: Stated that it made substantial 
progress toward fulfilling NPT Article VI obligations, adding 
 
 
that it had dismantled maritime nuclear capability and the WE 
177 nuclear bomb and terminated nuclear Lance missiles and 
artillery roles.  The United Kingdom highlighted that it was 
the only NWS to reduce its deterrent capability to a single 
nuclear weapon system.  It added that it reduced its nuclear 
warhead stockpile to fewer than 160, as well as the 
operability status of its remaining weapons.  Regarding its 
Trident submarine in particular, the United Kingdom stated 
that it was at several days "notice to fire."  To explore 
further nuclear disarmament measures, including challenges to 
technical verification, the United Kingdom noted that it had 
discussed hosting a P-5 (United States, United Kingdom, 
France, Russia and China) conference.  It welcomed the 
U.S.-Russian announcement to work on a successor to the 
Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START). 
 
¶25. (U) Mongolia: Focused on the importance of states' 
cooperation with the IAEA to make more effective and bolster 
the safeguards system, as well as strengthen the IAEA's legal 
authority.  Mongolia also addressed the promotion of NWFZs, 
stating that two of the five had yet to enter into force. 
Mongolia called for a study on existing NWFZs, addressing, 
for example, what role they have played and how they can 
build confidence.  It stated that it was establishing a 
single-state NWFZ and had presented, in 2007, a trilateral 
treaty to its neighbors to define and institutionalize that 
status.  It added that it would table a draft resolution of a 
"procedural nature" on that issue. 
 
¶26. (U) China: Reiterated its commitment to no first use of 
nuclear weapons or non-use of nuclear weapons against NNWS or 
NWFZs.   China advocated early entry into force and 
ratification of the CTBT, adding that it would honor its 
commitment to a moratorium on nuclear tests.  China called on 
the "two states (United States and Russia) with the largest 
nuclear arsenals" to reduce them further.  China also urged 
states to repatriate weapons they had positioned elsewhere 
(Note:  The United States is the only state that has nuclear 
weapons stationed outside of its borders.  End Note). 
 
¶27. (U) United Arab Emirates: Advocated a Middle East NWFZ 
and called on Israel to comply with the NPT RevCon's 1995 
Middle East resolution, as well as the relevant UN 
resolutions.  It also urged Iran to continue cooperating with 
the IAEA and the international community to dispel doubts 
about its nuclear program. 
 
¶28. (U) Mexico: Stated that states cannot select "a la carte" 
which commitments to honor and which to disregard, and added 
that it rejected discriminatory application of the NPT. 
Mexico also stated that some states are giving priority to 
nonproliferation over disarmament and warned that unless they 
corrected that imbalance, paralysis of the disarmament 
machinery would continue.  It stated that the Agency for the 
Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the 
Caribbean (OPANAL) would hold a second meeting in May to 
strengthen cooperation among states parties to NWFZ Treaties. 
 
 
 
¶29. (U) Turkey: Stated that early entry into force of the 
CTBT was essential, called on Annex 2 states to sign or 
ratify it, and welcomed Iraq's signing.  Turkey stated that 
it would continue to contribute to the IAEA's work during its 
Board of Governors tenure.  It also stated that it supported 
in principle a Middle East NWFZ.  Turkey expressed support 
for the Conference on Disarmament's (CD's) efforts to realize 
Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty (FMCT) negotiations.  It 
expressed appreciation for NPT states parties' efforts to 
reduce their nuclear stockpiles.  Turkey welcomed the recent 
U.S.-DPRK agreement on verification measures. 
 
¶30. (U) Bangladesh: Argued for building upon the 13 practical 
steps that the 2000 NPT RevCon adopted.  Bangladesh 
highlighted it was the first South Asian state to sign and 
ratify the CTBT and added that it had also concluded IAEA 
safeguard agreements.  It appealed to the Annex 2 states to 
sign or ratify the CTBT.  Bangladesh reiterated its support 
for NWFZs in South Asia and the Middle East. 
 
¶31. (U) Burma: Called on states to implement the 13 practical 
steps and introduced a draft resolution to that effect, 
entitled Nuclear Disarmament.  Burma stated that it had the 
support of all Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 
states, many NAM states, as well as others.  Burma emphasized 
the importance of the ICJ's 1996 opinion on states' 
obligation to pursue in good faith and to bring to a 
conclusion negotiations leading to disarmament. 
 
¶32. (U) Republic of Korea: Stated that a gap existed between 
NWS and NNWS and called on states to implement NPT Article 
VI.  The ROK acknowledged U.S. and Russian nuclear arsenal 
reductions and welcomed France and the UK's unilateral 
measures to do the same.  Regarding the North Korea nuclear 
issue, the ROK praised the U.S. action to remove the DPRK 
from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list and hoped that such 
measures would move forward the Six Party negotiations. 
 
¶33. (U) Algeria: Reiterated that NNWS have the right to 
legally binding guarantees of the non-use or threat of use of 
nuclear weapons from NWS.  Algeria advocated the creation of 
NWFZs to strengthen the nonproliferation regime and 
disarmament efforts. 
 
¶34. (U) Kazakhstan: Stated that the September 2008 
Semipalatinsk on-site inspection field exercise to detect 
nuclear tests demonstrated its commitment to disarmament and 
nonproliferation.  Kazakhstan added that the Preparatory 
Commission of the CTBTO used the site for a project and added 
that it had become a "neutral strip" for resolving sensitive 
issues.  It noted that it had become a party to the 
International Center for Uranium Enrichment, which it hoped 
would facilitate international cooperation on a shared 
nuclear fuel supply. 
 
¶35. (U) Egypt: Introduced two draft resolutions, one calling 
 
 
for the establishment of a NWFZ in the Middle East and the 
other addressing the risk of nuclear proliferation in that 
region. 
 
¶36. (U) Qatar: Praised its adherence to the NPT and CTBT. 
Qatar expressed support for resolutions relating to creating 
NWFZs, as well as those including Security Council 
resolutions calling on Israel to adhere to the NPT. 
 
¶37. (U) India: Reiterated its commitment to former PM Rajiv 
Gandhi's 1988 "Action Plan for Ushering in a Nuclear-Weapon 
Free and Non-Violent World Order," and added that it held a 
June 2008 Conference to mark the 20th anniversary of the 
Plan.  India noted the Kissinger, Shultz, Perry, and Nunn 
Wall Street Journal articles on the need to work toward 
disarmament.  It stated that it would introduce three 
resolutions: a convention on the prohibition of the use of 
nuclear weapons, reducing nuclear danger, and measures to 
prevent terrorists from acquiring WMD. 
 
¶38. (U) Switzerland: Praised France for inviting observers to 
witness the dismantlement of its former fissile material 
production sites and called on other NWS to increase 
transparency.  It stated that it found it difficult to 
understand how NWS could speak about disarmament while 
building new types of nuclear weapons, an action it deemed 
counter to NPT Article VI.  Switzerland stated that the 
Nuclear Suppliers Group's decision to permit nuclear supplies 
to India could be considered "constructive" but raised 
questions about the future of the NPT regime. 
 
¶39. (U) Democratic People's Republic of Korea: The DPRK 
lamented that the threat of nuclear weapons from NWS against 
NNWS was growing.  It emphasized that the final goal of the 
Six Party negotiations was to denuclearize the Korean 
peninsula, and not to unilaterally disarm the DPRK.  It 
accused Japan of being the only country that refuses to 
comply with the Six Party negotiations and added that its 
presence was unnecessary.  Regarding UN Security Council 
resolutions 1695 (2006) and 1718 (2006), the DPRK stated that 
they were products of the Security Council's 
"irresponsibility and unfairness." 
Khalilzad