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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 USUN NEW YORK 001030 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CD CDG PARM PREL UNGA
SUBJECT: 64TH UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE THEMATIC DEBATE: 
CONVENTIONAL ARMS - PART 2 
 
USUN NEW Y 00001030  001.2 OF 003 
 
 
¶1. (U) The UN First Committee (Disarmament and International 
Security) conducted its thematic debate on conventional 
weapons from October 23 to 28.  Most delegations raised the 
issues of the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons 
(SA/LW), an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and elements of the 
Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW). 
 
¶2. Algeria 
 
(U) Algeria noted the negative impact that the illicit trade 
in SA/LW has on peace and regional security.  It said that an 
ATT should be negotiated in accordance with international 
law.  Algeria supports the ban on antipersonnel landmines. 
 
¶3. Pakistan 
 
(U) Pakistan noted that military expenditures world-wide 
amounted to 1.465 trillion dollars.  It stated that 
conventional arms sales affect regional and sub-regional 
security by creating imbalances among states.  It said that 
an ATT must allow for the right of all states to manufacture, 
import, export, transfer and retain arms for self-defense and 
security. 
 
¶4. Indonesia 
 
(U) Indonesia noted the effect that the illicit trade of 
SA/LW has on peace and security but warned that the 
legitimate right of states to provide for self-defense must 
not be impinged by an ATT. 
 
¶5. Democratic Republic of the Congo 
 
(U) The DRC noted the effects that the illicit trade of SALW 
and the use of land mines has on the civilian population.  It 
has been active with the UN program to collect and destroy 
small arms. 
 
¶6. The Netherlands 
 
(U) The Netherlands noted the devastating effect that the 
illicit trade in SA/LW has on the daily life of people 
throughout the world and the link between armed violence and 
a lack of development.  The Netherlands said that it supports 
an ATT and that it will destroy all cluster munitions and 
land mines that it has in its inventory. 
 
¶7. China 
 
(U) China said it supports the CCW, especially against 
weapons that have humanitarian impact such as cluster 
munitions and land mines.  It noted the effect of the illicit 
trade in SA/LW has on regional security and supports the UN 
program of action on SA/LW. 
 
¶8. Costa Rica on behalf of Central American Integration 
System (SICA) 
 
(U) Costa Rica on behalf of SICA stated that arms control was 
an integral part of the regional agenda and that illicit 
trafficking of SA/LW causes humanitarian issues, violence and 
instability.  It supports an ATT.  It drew attention to the 
code of conduct among Central American states in arms 
transfers.  It supports the  antipersonnel land mine ban, 
noting that except for Nicaragua, Central America has been 
declared land mine free. 
 
¶9. Slovenia 
 
(U) Slovenia called for a strengthening of the CCW and the 
ban on antipersonnel land mines.  It called for the early 
 
USUN NEW Y 00001030  002.2 OF 003 
 
 
entry into force of the cluster munitions ban and supports a 
robust ATT. 
 
¶10. Switzerland 
 
(U) Switzerland advocated setting parameters for an ATT and 
attaches importance to the UN register of conventional arms 
and said it regrets that the UN experts group was unable to 
add SA/LW to the register.  It supports a cluster munitions 
ban and the convention on anti-personnel land mines. 
 
¶11. France 
 
(U) France noted the destabilizing effect of SA/LW that 
causes 500,000 deaths and 300,000 injuries per year and 
stated that arms control required that states exercise 
responsibility, act with transparency, and respect 
international humanitarian laws.  France regretted that small 
arms is not the eighth category of weapons in the UN 
registry.  It supports and ATT and the convention on cluster 
munitions. 
 
¶12. Malawi 
 
(U) Malawi noted that the proliferation of SA/LW has a 
devastating impact on civilians around the world and the 
economies of developing countries.  It supports the UN 
program of action on SA/LW and the antipersonnel land mine 
ban. 
 
¶13. Uruguay spoke on behalf of MERCOSUR 
 
(U) Uruguay said that MERCOSUR supports the UN program of 
action on SA/LW but noted that the non-binding aspect of the 
program makes its effective implementation challenging.  It 
called for more effective ways of tracking SA/LW and a total 
ban on cluster munitions and anti-personnel mines. 
 
¶14. Jamaica 
 
(U) Jamaica noted the impact that the illicit small arms 
trade has on civilians in developing countries and how drug 
trafficking and organized crime benefit from this trade.  It 
supports the UN program of action on SA/LW and an ATT. 
 
¶15. Kenya 
 
(U) Kenya noted the impact of SA/LW on civilian populations, 
crime, development and economic investment.  It said that 
increased spending on the security apparatus to deal with 
SA/LW came at the expense of economic activity.  It supports 
the ban on cluster munitions and antipersonnel land mines. 
 
¶16. Sudan 
 
(U) Sudan advocated the elimination of SA/LW and stockpiles 
of ammunition.  It called for funding of the UN program of 
action on SA/LW to promote tracing and marking of weapons. 
It said that producer states have a responsibility not to 
export in an uncontrolled fashion. 
 
¶17. India 
 
(U) India stated that SA/LW pose a grave danger to states, 
particularly when used by non-state actors, and they cause 
regional instability.  It will purse the goal of a 
non-discriminatory and global ban on land mines.  It supports 
an ATT that is transparently developed and does not impede a 
state's right to self-defense. 
 
¶18. Philippines 
 
USUN NEW Y 00001030  003.2 OF 003 
 
 
 
(U) Philippines said it supports the UN program of action on 
SA/LW.  It called on producer states only to supply 
"responsible governments" and to strictly use international 
instruments to identify and trace illicit arms.  It supports 
the CCW, the antipersonnel land mine ban and an ATT. 
 
¶19. Iran 
 
(U) Iran noted the inalienable right of states to defend 
themselves.  It said that it developed an indigenous missile 
program for self-defense due to restrictions by "certain 
powers" during the Iraq - Iran war.  Iran said it supports a 
non-discriminatory and comprehensive approach to dealing with 
missiles, and stated that the CCW only takes into account the 
narrow interest of a few states.  It called on the reduction 
of arms transfers to the Middle East, citing the instability 
it causes.  It stated that Israel receives too many offensive 
weapons. 
 
¶20. Congo - Brazzaville 
 
(U) Congo noted the effect of SA/LW on the civilian 
population.  It supports a legally binding and 
non-discriminatory ATT that recognizes states' rights to 
self-defense but restricts excessive stockpiling.  It 
supports the ban on antipersonnel land mines and appealed to 
states for financial help in clearing of these mines. 
 
¶21. New Zealand 
 
(U) New Zealand urged progress on the full range of 
conventional weapons issues, particularly mines and the 
illicit trade of SA/LW.  It advocated a strong ATT that would 
severely impact the illicit trade of SA/LW. 
Rice