Conference Hears Statements from Japan, France, Egypt and Outgoing President

25 August 2005
The Conference on Disarmament today heard a statement from Japan on the United Nations Conference on Disarmament Issues, held last week in Japan, with the theme of The United Nations after Six Decades and Renewed Efforts for the Promotion of Disarmament, and a statement from France on its contribution to new and additional issues, or “out of the box” issues. The Conference also heard a farewell statement from Egypt, and from the outgoing President.

Naéla Gabr, the Ambassador of Egypt, was saluted by the outgoing President of the Conference, who said she had represented her Government with exquisite diplomatic skills during her tenure. In the farewell statement of the Ambassador, she said the problem with regards to disarmament was due to the absence of political will in several capitals. Any movement towards progress could only take place if the interests and priorities of all were taken into account, as it was a multilateral endeavour. The commitment of Egypt to peace had been reiterated year after year, and its vision was a serious one, demonstrated in word and in fact. Priorities in this area should be taken as seriously as this vision deserved, with a continuing commitment to peace and equality worldwide and in the region.

In his closing speech, the outgoing President of the Conference, Ambassador Masood Khan of Pakistan, said there had been no progress on the Programme of Work, and there was no indication from regional coordinators or individual member states that such a possibility existed in the near future. There was no silver bullet which could resolve the procedural squabbles, and a political direction was needed to begin work. When there was no political will to start work, an artificial flurry of activity would not jumpstart the process. The Conference owed to the world citizenry to save the world from a dangerous arms race, and promise them a secure future. He also noted the departure of Colonel Brossard, military advisor of the Permanent Mission of France.

The next plenary session of the Conference will be held on Thursday 1 September at 10 a.m.
Statements

Naéla Gabr (Egypt), in a farewell speech, said the position of Egypt on the subject of disarmament had been made clear on several occasions. The problem in disarmament was due to the absence of political will in several capitals. Any movement towards progress could only take place if the interests and priorities of all were taken into account, as it was a multilateral endeavour. The Conference had not been capable of achieving what other international organizations had, in which experience had shown success. The NGOs played a vital role in disarmament, and it was vital to encourage them to participate and highlight the human element of disarmament, and to ensure more creative approaches.

The Conference should also establish an annual high-level segment, incorporating Ministers from many Governments, which would ensure the political importance of the Conference, as had the Commission on Human Rights. There was optimism that participants were committed to the forum. It was also important to keep the Conference’s annual agenda without changing it, as it was the cornerstone of the work done. The commitment of Egypt to peace had been reiterated year after year, and its vision was a serious one, demonstrated in word and in fact. Priorities in this area should be taken as seriously as this vision deserved, with a continuing commitment to peace and equality world-wide and in the region.

Yoshiki Mine (Japan), spoke about the United Nations Conference on Disarmament Issues, which the speaker attended last week in Japan and which had the theme of The United Nations after Six Decades and Renewed Efforts for the Promotion of Disarmament, with multiple objectives. It also provided a valuable opportunity for disarmament experts from all four quarters of the globe to assemble to freely discuss matters of concern to the international community related to disarmament. Among other things discussed during the conference were the last NPT Review Conference; Iran’s nuclear programme and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea issue; and reform of the whole machinery of the United Nations. Forums that provided the opportunity to share and exchange a wealth of ideas were essential to bring relevant parties together to discuss disarmament issues that affected the international community, and Japan would continue to support such events, and strongly encouraged further efforts toward disarmament and non-proliferation objectives.

Francois Rivasseau (France), said with regards to the main elements put forward by different delegations in the framework of the thought process on new and additional issues or “out of the box” issues, a paper had been submitted to the Conference. It was hoped that this contribution would succeed in continuing to stimulate a substantial discussion within the Conference, and would contribute positively to building up consensus.

Masood Khan, President of the Conference and Ambassador of Pakistan, said there had been no progress on the Programme of Work, and there was no indication from regional coordinators or individual member states that such a possibility existed in the near future. At the beginning of his Presidency, he had mapped out his endeavour by inviting member states and coordinators of regional groups to give their inputs on the Programme of Work, but no inputs or suggestions had been received. Bilateral consultations, while conducted in a very collegial and congenial spirit, had not given a sense of movement or of progress. The suggestion had been made before the beginning of the Presidency that a second round of structure discussions be held on the four topics that had been discussed during the Norwegian Presidency. It was hoped that such a dialogue could be held in the near future.

The next Presidency coincided with the period during which the Conference would prepare and transmit a report of its year-long sessions to the General Assembly. This would require careful reflection and a collective endeavour. There was a deep desire among members to move forward, but the challenge was how to translate this desire into a concrete plan of action. There was no silver bullet which could resolve the procedural squabbles, and a political direction was needed to begin work. It was a challenging time for the Conference, with proposals ranging from its activation, to suspension, to demolition. The sense of the President, after consultations, was that there was a strong desire to preserve and promote the Conference as a negotiating forum and to ensure its continuity and effectiveness. Because of the prevalent political impasse, delegations were looking for a new alchemy that would give them the right formula to commence work in the forum.

The Conference should not be a hollow vessel, nor the President the Captain of such a vessel, the President said. When there was no political will to start work, an artificial flurry of activity would not jumpstart the process. Global peace and security were goals that transcended procedural battles, however heroic they could appear. The Conference owed to the world citizenry to save the world from a dangerous arms race, and promise them a secure future. There was a higher purpose and calling: the calling to prepare the world for nuclear disarmament, and stem the spread of weapons of mass destruction.

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