US Explanation before the Vote on L.14

Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

Conference on Disarmament

General Assembly First Committee

UN Disarmament Commission

Special Session on Disarmament

Explanation given before the vote on L.14, Effects of the use of depleted uranium in armaments.

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Mr. Chairman,

The United States will vote "no on the draft resolution ‘effects of the use of depleted uranium in armaments.' The agenda of the General Assembly does not need an item on this subject, especially since the World Health Organization and the UN Environment Program have already conducted thorough and convincing studies. These studies, in turn, have concluded that the use of depleted uranium in armaments has not been shown to have a notable effect on the environment or on the health of human beings.

Preambular paragraphs 2 and 3 of the draft resolution imply that depleted uranium could be considered a new type of weapon of mass destruction. Although this assertion does not rise to the level of seriousness that might deserve a reply, it reinforces our conviction that voting ‘no’ is the only appropriate alternative for the delegation of the United States and we urge all other delegations to do the same.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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