VZCZCXRO0600
RR RUEHSK RUEHSL
DE RUCNDT #0948/01 2992253
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 262253Z OCT 09
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7416
INFO RUCNDSC/DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE COLLECTIVE
RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA 0425
RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ASTANA 1916
RUEHSW/AMEMBASSY BERN 0343
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 1189
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 0393
RUEHJA/AMEMBASSY JAKARTA 2298
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 0226
RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 0814
RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 0342
RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM 0625

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 USUN NEW YORK 000948 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CD CDG KN PARM PREL UNGA
SUBJECT: 64TH UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE BEGINS GENERAL DEBATE: 
OVER 100 SPEAKERS - DAY 1 
 
1.(U) Summary: The UNGA first committee conducted its general 
debate on disarmament and international security issues from 
October 5.  This summary comprises days 1 of the general 
debate (October 5). 
 
¶2. Sweden on behalf of the European Union 
 
The EU welcomed "renewed momentum in global arms control and 
disarmament" and expressed support for strengthening the 
authority of the United Nations in non-compliance with 
international agreements.  It welcomed, as a very positive 
development, the decision in May 2009 of the Conference on 
Disarmament (CD) "finally, after 12 years of stalemate, to 
agree a program of work."  The EU will work for a successful 
outcome to the 2010 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) 
review conference.  The EU is concerned about the 
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), their 
means of delivery, and the risk that non state actors, in 
particular terrorists, may acquire them.  The EU believes the 
proliferation of nuclear weapons is the largest threat to 
common security and pointed out that 2009 has continued to 
present major proliferation challenges, including the DPRK's 
nuclear test and the discovery of Iran's covert uranium 
facility near Qom.  The EU welcomes talks by Presidents Obama 
and Medvedev on the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, START), 
and  supports the Convention on the Prohibition of Biological 
and Toxin Weapons (BTWC), the Chemical Weapons Convention 
(CWC), the convention on Cluster Munitions and the UN program 
of Action to prevent the illicit trade of small arms and 
light weapons (SA/LW).  It promotes the Ottawa convention on 
Anti-Personnel Landmines and supports the concept of an 
international arms trade treaty. 
 
¶3. Indonesia on behalf of the Nonaligned Movement 
 
The NAM stated that "multilateralism and multilaterally 
agreed solutions...provide the only sustainable method of 
addressing disarmament and international security issues" and 
called for renewed efforts to resolve the current impasse in 
achieving nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation 
in all its aspects.  The NAM are deeply concerned by the lack 
of progress by Nuclear Weapon States (NWS) on nuclear 
disarmament under the terms of the NPT.  The NAM support the 
non-use or threat of use of force against the territorial 
integrity of any state.  They believe the planned START 
negotiations are a positive signal, but the U.S. and Russia 
should achieve further deep cuts in their nuclear weapons. 
The NAM reaffirmed the inalienable right of states  to engage 
in the research, production and use of nuclear energy for 
peaceful purposes without discrimination, and stressed the 
responsibility of developed nations to support the legitimate 
requirements of developing countries for nuclear energy.  The 
NAM reaffirmed its support for the establishment of a 
nuclear-weapons-free zone in the Middle East and called on 
Israel to accede to the NPT without delay.  NAM members noted 
the adoption of a program of work for the CD and reiterated 
their call for the establishment of an ad hoc committee on 
disarmament in the CD.  The NAM called for an effective and 
verifiable Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and urged 
states to meet the deadlines of the CWC for destruction of 
chemical weapons.  The NAM judged that "the prevention of 
illicit trade of SA/LW is imperative for creating security 
conditions conducive to development". 
 
¶4. Burma on behalf of ASEAN 
 
The ASEAN charter stipulates that South East Asia is 
"preserved as a Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone and free of all 
other weapons of mass destruction," and world wide nuclear 
disarmament is the highest priority of its members.  ASEAN 
calls on all states to show the political will and maximum 
flexibility prior to and during the 2010 NPT review 
conference and is encouraged by U.S. - Russian preliminary 
bilateral agreement to reduce their nuclear arsenals.  ASEAN 
is encouraged that 181 countries have signed the 
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and advocates the early 
entry into force of the treaty.  ASEAN urges states to sign 
the CWC and BTWC and meet the 2012 destruction deadline of 
the CWC. 
 
¶5. Nigeria on behalf of the Africa Group 
 
USUN NEW Y 00000948  002 OF 003 
 
 
 
The African Group said that "nuclear weapons represent the 
greatest treat to humanity on earth today," and called on NWS 
to commit themselves to stopping the qualitative improvement, 
development, production and stockpiling, transferring, threat 
of use or use of nuclear weapons and to their total 
elimination.  It welcomed the adoption of a program of work 
for the CD and announced the entry into force on 15 July, 
2009 of the African Nuclear Weapons-Free Zone treaty, known 
as the Treaty of Pelindaba.  The African Group is concerned 
about the "illicit transfer, manufacture and circulation of 
SA/LW." 
 
¶6. Brazil on behalf of New Agenda Coalition (NAC) 
 
The NAC said that "nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation 
are intrinsically linked and mutually reinforcing processes," 
and that the only guarantee against nuclear proliferation is 
the complete and verifiable elimination of nuclear weapons. 
It called for the universal adherence to the NPT and for 
India, Israel and Pakistan to accede to the treaty as 
non-nuclear-weapon states and place their facilities under 
comprehensive safeguards of the International Atomic Energy 
Agency (IAEA).  It urged the DPRK to reestablish cooperation 
with the IAEA and rejoin six-party talks.  It stated that the 
2010 NPT review is critical and that the adoption of work 
program in the CD is a positive step.  The NAC noted that the 
nuclear-weapon-free weapons zones now cover 116 countries. 
 
¶7. Mexico 
 
Mexico stated that a "window of opportunity has opened" in 
disarmament and asked states to show political will to 
continue the momemtum.  Mexico cited the adoption of a work 
program in the CD, the continuing START negotiations and 
President Obama's statements on international security as 
examples of this opportunity.  It called for a legally 
binding Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty (FMCT) and the early 
entry into force of the CTBT.  It said that U.S. ratification 
of the CTBT will help secure ratification by other states, 
and that DPRK nuclear tests reinforces the need for this 
treaty.  Mexico supports that right of all states to peaceful 
uses of nuclear energy but said that Iran needs to cooperate 
with the IAEA.  Mexico said nuclear-weapon-free zones help 
international peace and security and supported for one in the 
Middle East.  It supports the CWC and treaties on cluster 
munitions, mines and SALW. 
 
¶8. Venezuela 
 
Venezuela supported general and complete disarmament and 
stated that nuclear powers needed to take concrete actions in 
this area and contended that they are "skirting their 
international commitments."  Venezuela said that the U.S. - 
Russia START negotiations are positive, but rejected any 
document that is not multilateral, contending that all states 
should be involved in nuclear disarmament negotiations.  It 
supported the establishment of  nuclear-weapon-free zones and 
called for Israel to give up its nuclear weapons and join the 
NPT as a non-nuclear-weapon state.  It opposed selective 
enforcement of treaties, investigations and sanctions of 
nuclear programs, and stated that Latin America and the 
Caribbean have the smallest quantity of weapons in the world. 
 Venezuela criticized seven planned U.S. military bases in 
Colombia saying that they "affect the peace and security in 
the region". 
 
¶9. Switzerland 
 
Switzerland said it is encouraged by the positive 
developments in disarmament, including the joint statement of 
Presidents Obama and Medvedev's, the improved atmosphere at 
the preparatory committee for the NPT review conference and 
the adoption of a work program for the CD.  It stated, 
however, that "real action" is needed. Switzerland stressed 
the importance of work on conventional Weapons, citing 
anti-personnel landmines, cluster munitions and the 
convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW). 
 
¶10. Kazakhstan 
 
 
USUN NEW Y 00000948  003 OF 003 
 
 
Kazakhstan stated that the stagnation period in disarmament 
is over and was encouraged by U.S. and Russian pledges to 
work towards reduction of their nuclear arsenals.  It called 
for the ratification of the CTBT, the need for a treaty 
dealing with SA/LW and for strengthening the NPT.  Kazakhstan 
showed concern  about the threats of non-state actors, such 
as terrorist groups, acquiring nuclear weapons. 
 
¶11. Peru 
 
Peru said it was encouraged by the adoption of a program of 
work for CD after 12 years and U.S. and Russian negotiations 
on the START follow-on treaty.  It called for ratification of 
the CTBT, and said it is concerned by SA/LW, land mines and 
the increase in military budgets in a time of financial 
crisis.  It called for South America to be a "zone of peace" 
and advocated the gradual limitation of armaments and for 
transparency in military budgets. 
 
¶12. Right of Reply by Iran 
 
Replying to the EU statement, Iran stated that its nuclear 
program is for peaceful purposes and that it had met IAEA 
requirements in announcing its facility in Qom.  It pointed 
out that Israel has not acceded to the NPT. 
Rice