UN Conference to identify ways of Eliminating Nuclear Dangers in
the context of nuclear disarmament"
German delegation
Mr. Chairman,
I would like to explain our vote on the decision L.2.
Like Mexico, which brought forward this decision, Germany also
sympathises with the sense of urgency and the disappointment at
the slow pace of progress which underlies the proposal to convene
the UN conference.
We reaffirm our determination to contribute to the implementation
of Art. VI of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The NPT is the
cornerstone of the nuclear non-proliferation regime and essential
foundation for the pursuits of nuclear disarmament.
We particularly stress the need for the full implementation of
the 13 practical steps for the systematic and progressive efforts
to implement Art VI of the NPT as agreed at the 2000 NPT Review
Conference.
The implementation of these thirteen steps requires focused efforts;
nothing should detract from the obligations undertaken by the parties
to the NPT.
Thus we consider the pursuit of these efforts within the context
of the NPT process leading up to the next Review Conference in 2005
of key importance.
Likewise we deem it of utmost urgency to overcome the deadlock
in the work of the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. Linkages
which have led to the deadlock should be abandoned with a view to
start negotiations on a fissile material cut off treaty as rapidly
as possible.
In light of these priorities and with a view not to undermine the
NPT-process and the COnference on Disarmament, the single multilateral
negotiating forum, we do not consider it appropriate, at this juncture,
to convene a United Nations Conference to identify ways of eliminating
nuclear dangers in the context of nuclear disarmament.
Therefore we were not in the position to support the decision.
