FC 2004 NAC EoV L56

Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

Conference on Disarmament

General Assembly First Committee

UN Disarmament Commission

Special Session on Disarmament

New Agenda Coalition

Explanation of vote L.56

I take the floor on behalf of the New Agenda Coalition (Brazil, Egypt, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa and Sweden) to make an explanation of vote on draft resolution A/C.1/59/L.56 entitled "Bilateral strategic nuclear arms reductions and the new strategic framework." The New Agenda Coalition has joined consensus on this resolution, but would like to make a few remarks of an interpretative character.

The sponsors ask the UNGA to acknowledge the contribution to nuclear disarmament made by the reduction of their deployed strategic warheads. Naturally, we acknowledge that reduced deployment is a positive development. At the same time we hold the view that reductions in deployment and operational status cannot replace irreversible cuts in and actual destruction of nuclear weapons. We therefore look forward to continued developments leading to their total elimination in line with the obligations of the NPT.

Furthermore, while we appreciate the specific information given by the two sponsors, it is of course rather difficult for the UNGA, as such, to explicitly recognize the exact numbers and figures, given that there are no possibilities for us to confirm or verify them. We therefore understand the relevant paragraphs as valuable information given by the two sponsors to the UN member states.

We welcome the determination of the United States and the Russian Federation to work together to fulfill their obligations under Article VI of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Although the draft resolution does not mention the upcoming NPT review conference we take it that the sponsors will bring to bear their determination in the forthcoming NPT Review Conference. And we look forward to a more thorough review on that occasion of the implementation of the obligations under the NPT and of the commitments made at previous review conferences, including the practical steps agreed for the systematic and progressive efforts to implement Article VI of the NPT.