I have asked for the floor in order to explain the position of
my government on the draft resolution titled, "Missiles"
contained in the document A/C.1/58/L.4.
Mr. Chairman,
The proliferation of missiles as delivery vehicles for weapons
of mass destruction is a matter of grave concern of Japan, as we
believe that it poses a threat to peace and stability in both the
global and regional contexts. FOr that reason, Japan has been making
its own effort to ensure the non-proliferation of, and to reduce
the threat posed by, these missiles. We also contributed to the
discussions of the UN Panel of Governmental Experts on Missiles
established by the Secretary-Genearl of the United Nations.
Japan, however, has not supported draft resolution L.4 but decided
to abstain, because it contains no explicit reference to the conern
about the proliferation of missiles as delivery vehicles for weapons
of mass destruction or to acknowledgement of ongoing non-proliferation
efforts such as the establishment last November of the HCOC, in
which my country participates.
Regardless of our vote, we remain committed to the goal of ensuring
non-proliferation of such missiles while promoting international
and regional peace and stability through a variety of means.
