Security in outer space and against nuclear weapons

During the eighth plenary meeting of the Conference on Disarmament (CD), the US Chargé d’Affaires commented on the US-Russian satellite collision. The Group of 21 delivered statements on preventing an arms race in outer space and on negative security assurancesand the Iranian ambassador spoke on all four core issues of the CD’s agenda.

Brief highlights

• The United States commented on the US-Russian satellite collision.
• The Group of 21 and Iran called for the establishment of an ad hoc committee on negative security assurances in the CD and for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons. They also urged the development of legally-binding outer space security measures.
• Iran called for the negotiating mandate of a fissile materials cut-off treaty to be based on the Shannon Mandate of 1995.

Outer space security
US Chargé d’Affaires Garold N. Larson explained that the US and Russian governments are in communication regarding the collision between the “privately owned Iridium communications satellite, and the inactive Russian Cosmos satellite.” He argued that the incident “underscores the increasingly congested space environment” and urged “international cooperation between governments and industry.”

On behalf of the Group of 21, Bangladesh’s Chargé d’Affaires Mr. Md. Mustafizur Rahman expressed concern with “the negative implications of the development and deployment of anti-ballistic missile defense systems and the pursuit of advanced military technologies capable of being deployed in outer space which have, inter alia, contributed to the further erosion of an international climate conducive to the promotion of disarmament and strengthening of international security.” He also noted that while multilateral agreements “provide the mechanism” for consultation and cooperation, existing legal instruments regarding outer space security “are inadequate to deter further militarization of space, or prevent its weaponization” or to prevent an arms race in outer space (PAROS). Mr. Rahman thus urged, on behalf of the Group, for the CD to start negotiations on PAROS. The Group also acknowledges that inclusive measures for transparency and confidence-building “could be important complimentary measures.”

Both the Group of 21 and Ambassador Alireza Moaiyeri of Iran welcomed the Russian-Chinese draft treaty on the prevention of the placement of weapons in outer space of 2008 and Iran’s ambassador argued that all efforts should be taken “in order to secure the use of outer space for the well-being and prosperity of all nations around the world.”

Negative security assurances
The Group of 21’s representative emphasized “the right of non-nuclear weapon States not to be attacked or threatened with the use of nuclear weapons.” He also expressed the Group’s concern that strategic defence doctrines “not only set out rationales for the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons, but also maintain unjustifiable concepts on international security based on promoting and developing military alliance’s nuclear deterrence policies.” Mr. Rahman noted the Group’s support for nuclear weapon free zones, including in the Middle East, noting, however, that the Group does not agree that negative security assurances should only be granted to members of nuclear weapon free zones or that current security assurance declarations are adequate.

Iran’s ambassador also argued for legally-binding negative security assurances to be given to non-nuclear weapon states. Both the Group of 21 and Iran’s delegations called for the establishment of an ad hoc committee on negative security assurances in the CD.

Nuclear disarmament
The delegations of the Group of 21 and Iran both emphasized the importance of the complete elimination of nuclear weapons. Iran’s Ambassador Moaiyeri argued there is “no other issue more urgent than nuclear disarmament to be negotiated in the CD,” as nuclear weapons pose “the most serious threat to the security of all States.” He expressed hope for a “positive change” in nuclear disarmament in order to have a successful 2010 Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference.

Fissile materials cut-off treaty (FMCT)
Iran’s ambassador advocated for an FMCT that is “comprehensive, non discriminatory an[d] internationally and effectively verifiable” and that includes “[p]ast production and existing stocks as well as the future production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.” He noted that any negotiations should work from the 1995 Shannon Mandate.

Work of the CD
Iran’s Ambassador Moaiyeri argued that CD/1840, the 2008 proposed programme of work, did not enjoy consensus because it lacked balance between the four core issues on the CD’s agenda

Notes from the gallery
The plenary was held in Room VII again today and civil society participants sat on the floor level with the diplomats, again without problem.

The next plenary meeting of the CD is scheduled for Thursday, 26 February 2009.

- Ray Acheson, Reaching Critical Will of WILPF