VZCZCXRO7822
RR RUEHSK RUEHSL
DE RUCNDT #1028/01 3171842
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 131842Z NOV 09
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7605
INFO RUCNDSC/DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE COLLECTIVE
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 1693
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 1208
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 0418
RUEHDO/AMEMBASSY DOHA 0289
RUEHKL/AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR 0754
RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 0004
RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 0024
RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM 0651
RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0309

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 001028 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CD CDG PARM PREL UNGA
SUBJECT: 64TH UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE THEMATIC DEBATE: 
DISARMAMENT MACHINERY 
 
(U) Summary: The UN General Assembly First Committee 
(Disarmament and International Security) conducted its 
thematic debate on disarmament machinery October 23. 
 
¶2. Sweden on Behalf of the EU 
 
(U) Sweden stated that multilateral approach to security, 
disarmament and non-proliferation was the best way of 
maintaining international peace.  It noted that the actions 
of the General Assembly, the First Committee, the Conference 
on Disarmament (CD) and the impact of international treaties 
were mutually reinforcing.  It regretted that the CD's work 
program had not been implemented and stated that the 
membership of the CD should be expanded. 
 
¶3. Uruguay on behalf of MERCOSUR 
 
(U) Uruguay stated that multilateral diplomacy was the best 
approach to disarmament issues and one that would "guarantee 
results."  It noted that the UN's central role was essential 
in bringing about nuclear disarmament.  It appealed to 
members of the CD to keep working to move the Conference 
forward. 
 
¶4. Norway 
 
(U) Norway stated that 2010 would be a critical year for the 
CD and called on states to look into the work methods of the 
Conference.  It advocated a change to the working methods of 
the CD and the UN disarmament Commission so that one state 
could not bring the work to a standstill.  It considers the 
First Committee to be fundamental in advancing the work on 
disarmament and non-proliferation. 
 
¶5. Venezuela 
 
(U) Venezuela stated that the priorities of the First 
Committee remained relevant and recognized the UN Disarmament 
Commission as the sole specialized deliberative body in 
disarmament.  It noted that the adoption of a program of work 
for the CD after a 12-year impasse would allow the Conference 
to move forward. 
 
¶6. Canada 
 
(U) Canada said that political will was the driving force 
behind the ability of disarmament machinery to achieve 
results.  It called on all states to work towards a 
successful 2010 NPT review conference, butit noted a 
disparity between the staffing of the NPT review conference 
and the Chemical Weapons Convention. 
 
¶7. Qatar 
 
(U) Qatar stated that disarmament machinery played an 
important and indispensable role and that the CD was the only 
appropriate forum to negotiate on disarmament  It noted the 
technical and training support that Qatar gives to regional 
organizations. 
 
¶8. Brazil 
 
(U) Brazil said  the adoption of a program of work for the CD 
showed that opposition to disarmament is "starting to 
crumble,"but noted that political will was needed to continue 
this progress 
 
¶9. India 
 
(U) India stated that the UN has a central role and primary 
responsibility in the field of disarmament.  It called for 
concrete steps by the disarmament bodies to work towards 
consensus in disarmament. 
 
¶10. Cuba 
 
(U) Cuba emphasized the need to take specific steps forward 
in negotiating and discussing disarmament and arms control. 
It noted the adoption of a program of work by the CD and 
advocated the convening of a fourth special session of the 
General Assembly on disarmament. 
 
 
USUN NEW Y 00001028  002 OF 002 
 
 
¶11. Turkey 
 
(U) Turkey noted the critical role that the CD plays in 
addressing today's global security challenges.  It said it 
hopes that the CD will fulfill its role as the primary forum 
on disarmament issues and that the adoption of its program of 
work means that the CD can embark on substantive work, 
including negotiations on a fissile material cut-off treaty. 
Rice