US Explanation after the Vote on L.17

Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

Conference on Disarmament

General Assembly First Committee

UN Disarmament Commission

Special Session on Disarmament

EOV given after the vote on L. 17,
Relationship between disarmament and development.

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Mr. Chairman,

In the past, the United States did not participate in the voting on this resolution and it has passed by consensus. However, additional language was introduced in this year's resolution which,

among other things, proposes a reappraisal of the relationship between disarmament and development. Accordingly the United States voted "no’ on resolution L.17, which asserts a relationship between disarmament mid development. We continue to believe that disarmament and development are two distinct issues that do not lend themselves to being linked. It was for this reason that the United States did not participate in the 1987 conference on this matter. Accordingly, the United States does not and will not consider itself bound by the declaration in the "Final Document" of the international conference.

Thank you, Mr Chairman.

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