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RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5267

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 USUN NEW YORK 001018 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CD CDG KN PARM PREL UNGA
SUBJECT: 63RD UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE (UNFC): DAY FOUR AND 
FIVE OF THEMATIC DEBATE - OTHER WMDS AND OUTER SPACE 
 
 This is UNFC-6 
 
--------------------- 
C1 Days 4 and 5 10-17 and 10-20 Thematic Debate on Other 
Weapons of Mass Destruction and Outer Space - Summary 
--------------------- 
 
¶1. (U) Summary: The First Committee on Disarmament and 
International Security conducted its thematic debate on other 
weapons of mass destruction on October 17.  The Chair of the 
Panel of Governmental Experts on the issue of missiles in all 
its aspects and the Chair of the 2008 Meeting of States 
Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention opened the 
debate.  Representatives from the following states spoke: 
France on behalf of the European Union, Brazil on behalf of 
the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) and Associate States, 
Indonesia on behalf of the Nonaligned Movement (NAM), Norway, 
Lithuania, Belarus, Australia, Cuba, Republic of Korea (ROK), 
and Hungary. 
 
¶2. (U) The Committee conducted its thematic debate on the 
disarmament aspects of outer space on October 20. 
Representatives from the following states spoke: Russia, 
Belarus, United States, Cuba, China, Republic of Korea (ROK), 
Sri Lanka, Canada, and Egypt.  Russia spoke in a right of 
reply, stating that contrary to the U.S. remark that Russia 
and China refused to agree to a neutral resolution on 
transparency and confidence building measures (TCBMs), it had 
worked toward that end.  Russia suggested that the United 
States, and in particular its draft resolution on compliance, 
hindered efforts to seek neutral agreements. End Summary. 
 
--------------------- 
10-17, Day 4 - Panel of Governmental Experts on the issue of 
Missiles in all its aspects, Chair of the 2008 Meeting of 
States Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention and 
representatives from the following states: France on behalf 
of the EU, Brazil on behalf of MERCOSUR and Associate States, 
Indonesia on behalf of the NAM, Norway, Lithuania, Belarus, 
Australia, Cuba, Republic of Korea (ROK), and Hungary. 
--------------------- 
 
¶3. (U) Chairperson of the Panel of Governmental Experts on 
the issue of missiles in all its aspects, Santiago Irazabal 
Mourao of Brazil, stated that the potential for missiles to 
carry WMD was a significant political and military issue.  He 
added that the diversity in international interests on the 
issue challenged efforts to address it in multilateral fora. 
He stated that the issues on which they agreed, such as the 
problem of the increase in cruise missile use, required 
further discussion. 
 
¶4. (U) Chairperson of the 2008 Meeting of States Parties to 
the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), Georgi Avramchev of 
the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, said that the 
meeting resulted in broad agreements, including an 
inter-sessional work program to help implement the BWC.  He 
stated that it also established a BWC Implementation Support 
Unit (ISU).  He added that seven states parties had joined 
the BWC and two more might accede before the end of the year. 
 
¶5. (U) France on behalf of the EU: Called on states to 
reexamine the possibility of withdrawing reservations from 
the 1925 Geneva Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in 
War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases and of 
Bacteriological Methods of Warfare.  It expressed support for 
the ISU but added that additional dialogue was needed for 
optimum implementation of the BWC.  The EU highlighted the 
Chemical Weapons Convention's (CWC's) verification regime and 
the need for preparation with the Organization for the 
Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).  The EU expressed 
concern about the increase in mid-range missile testing over 
the past year, mentioning Iran in particular.  It noted the 
62nd UN General Assembly U.S.-Russian statement that the 
issue of the elimination of short- and medium-range 
surface-to-surface missiles be discussed and highlighted 
France's proposal to open negotiations on a treaty addressing 
that issue.  On the prevention of an arms race in outer space 
(PAROS), the EU stated that it was working on a draft code of 
conduct. 
 
¶6. (U) Brazil on behalf of MERCOSUR and Associated States: 
Urged the seven states that had not adhered to the CWC, to do 
so.  It called for greater interaction among states parties 
toward CWC implementation.  MERCOSUR called on possessor 
states to destroy their chemical weapon arsenals.  It 
reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the BWC.  MERCOSUR 
also stated that it hoped the December Meeting of States 
Parties to the BWC would take into account the work of the 
Governmental Group of Experts (GGE). 
 
¶7. (U) Indonesia on behalf of the NAM: Called on states that 
have declared chemical weapons to intensify their efforts to 
meet their final extended deadline of April 2012 to destroy 
chemical weapons, in accordance with the CWC.   The NAM urged 
the international community to focus efforts on providing 
support to victims suffering from the effects of exposure to 
chemical weapons.  It noted the adoption of several Security 
Council resolutions and highlighted the need to ensure 
compliance with the UN Charter and existing multilateral 
treaties on WMD. 
 
¶8. (U) Norway:  Called on states to accede to the CWC and 
BWC.  Norway underlined the importance of the BWC 
inter-sessional program of work.  It highlighted its 
participation in a chemical weapon destruction cooperation 
program with Russia, as a contribution to the Group of Eight 
(G8) Global Partnership.  It welcomed the OPCW program for 
Africa.  Norway urged states to adhere to the Hague Code of 
Conduct (HCOC).  It expressed support for the Conference on 
Disarmament's (CD's) work to address PAROS. 
 
¶9. (U) Lithuania: Focused on issues associated with chemical 
weapons and munitions dumped at sea.  It added that more than 
40 states signaled that sea dumping of such items affected 
them.  Lithuania noted that more than 50,000 tons of chemical 
munitions had been dumped in various seas.  It highlighted 
its hosting of a September 2008 international seminar on the 
issue and called for more dialogue. 
 
¶10. (U) Belarus: Introduced a draft resolution on the 
prohibition of the development and manufacture of new types 
of WMD and new systems of such weapons.  Belarus stated that 
it had been adopted since 1990 on a triennial basis and aimed 
to establish a procedure that would make it possible for the 
CD to monitor the development and manufacture of new types of 
WMD weapons. 
 
¶11. (U) Australia: It welcomed the CWC Second Review 
Conference but stated that it regretted a lack of discussion 
on challenges facing the CWC.   Australia congratulated the 
three states (Zambia, Madagascar, and the United Arab 
Emirates) that ratified or acceded to the BWC.   It noted its 
organization of a May 2007 biosafety workshop for Southeast 
Asian technical experts.   Australia urged the eight Pacific 
states to join the BWC.   It referred to the HCOC as a means 
to prevent missile proliferation and stated that it was 
working to broaden awareness of the Code.  Australia also 
noted that it would chair the Missile Technology Control 
Regime (MTCR) from 2008 to 2009 and would seek to advance its 
work to "defeat" WMD delivery system systems. 
 
¶12. (U) Cuba: Stated that the CWC Second Review Conference 
demonstrated a "balanced way" to address states parties' 
positions and concerns.   Cuba stated that the OPCW's most 
important task would be the total destruction of chemical 
arsenals.  It deemed "useful" the follow-up mechanism from 
the Sixth Review Conference of the BWC but added that there 
was a need for negotiating and adopting a legally binding 
verification protocol.  Cuba stated that a number of groups' 
initiatives, including the Proliferation Security Initiative 
(PSI), have never been multilaterally negotiated, and 
therefore, weakened the role of the UN. 
 
¶13. (U) Republic of Korea: It commended the 2006 BWC Review 
Conference for providing a solid base to further pursue 
endeavors.  The first inter-sessional work program, the ROK 
continued, demonstrated the will to strengthen Convention 
implementation.  It noted it would host the second session of 
the inter-sessional work program on two themes: biosafety and 
biosecurity; and oversight, education, awareness raising and 
code of conduct.  The ROK stated its desire to build further 
momentum at the 2011 Seventh Review Conference by 
implementing the intersessional work program. 
 
¶14. (U) Hungary: Stated that it would submit a draft 
resolution entitled "Convention on the Prohibition of the 
Development, Production, and Stockpiling of Bacteriological 
(Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction." 
Hungary stated that the text was based on resolutions adopted 
in recent years and had been updated to reflect new 
developments.  It expressed hope for its adoption by 
consensus.  Hungary also congratulated the UAE, Zambia, and 
Madagascar for acceding or ratifying the BWC. 
 
--------------------- 
10/20, Day 5 - Russia, Belarus, United States, Cuba, China, 
Republic of Korea (ROK), Sri Lanka, Canada, and Egypt 
--------------------- 
 
¶15. (U) Russia:  Called on the international community to 
conclude an arrangement for the prevention of an arms race in 
outer space (PAROS).  Russia stated that, in February 2008, 
in conjunction with China, it had tabled a treaty intended to 
fill in gaps in international space law and prohibit weapons 
in space.  It added that the United States expressed ideas on 
substance.  It proposed that states join the Russian 
initiative to not be the first state to place weapons of any 
kind in outer space.  Russia expressed support for an EU 
draft code of conduct on space activities.  Russia stated 
that it would table a draft resolution on transparency and 
confidence building measures (CBMs) in outer space. 
 
¶16. (U) Belarus: Expressed support for full compliance with 
and further development of space law.  Belarus welcomed the 
Russian-Chinese draft treaty on PAROS.  "As supporters of 
preventive approaches," it stated that the international 
community should take all measures for PAROS.  It also stated 
that it supported a moratorium on placing weapons in space. 
 
¶17. (U) Cuba: Stated that existing legal instruments, such as 
the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, played a successful part 
in regulating space activity.  It added that PAROS had been a 
universal goal but that existing agreements had not 
eliminated the dangers of outer space militarization.  It 
proposed establishing an ad hoc committee in the CD to 
address that issue.   Cuba expressed support for the 
Russian-Chinese draft treaty.  It reiterated that it does not 
believe in the use of nuclear energy in outer space.  Cuba 
underlined the NAM's concern about anti-ballistic missile 
(ABM) defense systems and stated that they had the potential 
to start an arms race.  Cuba stated that transparency and 
CBMs could play an important part in developing a treaty 
banning the use of weapons in outer space. 
 
¶18. (U) China: Stated that it could not accept the 
unwarranted allegations and charges that the United States 
has made against it regarding its January 2007 outer space 
test.  China stated that the Chinese Foreign Minister had 
already "expanded in detail" about that test.  China 
emphasized that such tests were not directed toward any 
particular state and did not violate any international law 
provision.  China asserted that certain states considered it 
a domain to establish dominance, as well as to advance 
missile defense programs.  China highlighted the need for the 
Treaty on the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer 
Space, the Threat or Use of Force against Outer Space Objects 
(PPWT) to bar non-WMD from space.  It also stated that TCBMs 
were not a substitute for a new legal instrument in space. 
 
¶19. (U) Republic of Korea: Stated that it is worrisome that 
artificial barriers to military and civilian activities in 
outer space were eroding.  The ROK expressed support for the 
draft Russian-Chinese treaty as a basis to explore the 
abstract concepts and nature of outer space. The ROK reminded 
member states of the importance of protecting weapon ground 
control stations.  It noted its cooperation with the Russian 
space agency on space flight. 
 
¶20. (U) Sri Lanka: As in the past, Sri Lanka, with Egypt, 
introduced the draft resolution, with technical updates, on 
PAROS.  Sri Lanka expressed concern about the potential 
threat of dual use technology.  It called on states with 
space capabilities to contribute to PAROS.  Sri Lanka urged 
the CD to establish an ad hoc committee with a mandate to 
carry out negotiations.  It expressed support for the PPWT as 
a constructive initiative. 
 
¶21. (U) Canada: Commended Presidents of the CD and other 
member states for their efforts to create a program of work 
but regretted that they were unable to succeed.  It stated 
that it looked forward to discussions on a PAROS treaty. 
Canada welcomed delegations' contributions in discussions, 
including the Russian-Chinese draft, on what a negotiated 
treaty could look like. 
 
¶22. (U) Egypt: Also introduced, with Sri Lanka, the draft 
resolution on PAROS.  It added that the resolution advocated 
strict compliance with existing agreements.  Egypt also urged 
the CD to establish as early as possible during its 2009 
session an ad hoc committee on PAROS, to include discussion 
of the Russian-Chinese draft treaty. 
 
¶23. (U) Right of Reply: Russia: Responded to the U.S. 
statement in which it stated that China and Russia "refuse to 
agree to a neutral TCBM resolution unencumbered by restraints 
and limitations."  Russia argued that it tried to conduct 
such work in 2007.  Russia stated that such treaties needed 
to be neutral and encumbered, and that to the contrary, it 
was the United States that planned to table a resolution (on 
compliance).  It added that it continued to be open to 
discussions with the United States and others on the work of 
the CD. 
Khalilzad