Canada's Explanation before the Vote on L.18/Rev.1

Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

Conference on Disarmament

General Assembly First Committee

UN Disarmament Commission

Special Session on Disarmament

EOV made by Canada before the vote on L.18/Rev.1 - Ambassador C. Westdal

Canada strongly supports this resolution, to enhance effective control over the transfer of arms, military equipment and dual use goods and technology.

We commend the Netherlands for this new initiative and will be pleased to vote for it.

I have asked for the floor before the vote to emphasize the importance of balance in the resolution, particularly the need to recall, as this resolution would have us do in its second preambular paragraph, the undertakings of disarmament and non-proliferation Treaties' States Parties to both control transfers that could contribute to proliferation activities and facilitate the exchange of materials, equipment and technological information for peaceful purposes.

It is Canada's view that this balance is essential to the purpose and value of this resolution.

I therefore urge that the second preambular paragraph be retained in the text as is.