Transcribed Farewell Statement of the Ambassador of Cuba Mr. Carlos Amat Forés President of the CD

Distinguished Ambassadors, Distinguished Delegates,

We are gathered here today at the last plenary session corresponding to our last term of office in the presence of the Conference on Disarmament, which is about to conclude. We have tried to fulfill with dedication the lofty responsibility entrusted to us. And we have thus spent weeks of intensive consultations involving the vast majority of the members of the Conference. Time constraints as well as the unavailability of some delegations prevented our having direct consultations with all of them and seeing all of them directly. Today we bring no spectacular announcement to you. Our presidency will not be hallmarked with what could have been known as the Amat proposal, aimed at solving existing difficulties for adopting a program of work for the CD. Perhaps the only criticism that I could address to my dear friend ambassador Camilo Reyes is that at the time of succeeding him in the presidency he forgot to give us the magic wand that makes possible all solutions. In advance I express my apologies to my successor and friend Ambassador Roberto Betancourt from Ecuador because even though I truly would like to do this I will not be able to give him a magic wand either when he takes over.

As president our consultations confirmed that the Amorim proposal continues to enjoy a wide measure of support as the basis for continuing consultations in order to reach a consensus on a program of work of the Conference. This proposal in itself sums up most of the efforts that the members of the Conference and its successive presidents have made for year. As a working thesis we adopt the principle of keeping the Amorim proposal intact unless real possibility of moving forward by introducing some changes emerge.

Although some may not share this approach we are convinced that this was the best procedure in the present situation in our view. To begin to introduce amendments on the Amorim proposal without any real prospects for success in our mind would have been a step back instead of a step forward. During our mandate we have tried to work, we have endeavored to work with the greatest transparency, giving detailed information to each plenary session and the presidential consultations about the progress and course of our work. At the same time we can say today that with the same kind of discretion that is required at certain moments of our presidency we tried to advance some possible formulae for compromise with some major players. Unfortunately, these steps made it absolutely clear to us that regrettably for the time being there are no conditions for the Conference to agree on a program of work and move forward on substantive issues. We have not come here to point accusing fingers at those who are responsible for the lack of substantive progress in the Conference. This is not our role as President and we believe it would not contribute to achieving solutions. But this does not mean that truth should be concealed. It is not a secret to anyone that certain countries play a particularly significant leading role in the present situation on lack of agreement on a program of work in the CD. We all know that there are key decisions that should be made outside of the Conference in order to allow real progress within it. Not only do such decisions continue unmaterialized but it is also an unquestionable reality that our whole new international scenario is emerging, which is at least worrisome and it could possibly have very negative implications for the work of the CD and particularly for multilateralism in general. In fact our contacts made it evident that a great number of delegations tend to think that the prospects for the immediate future of the CD are not very encouraging. On the one hand the majority wish of preserving the CD as a unique multilateral negotiating forum on disarmament will make it very difficult at least in the short term for the CD to be cancelled out. However, if periods without real advance in substantive work continue to be extended this body's credibility becomes seriously affected. This would only serve the interests of those who prefer to move outside the Conference, obviating the interests and positions of the rest of the international community.

Distinguished Ambassadors and Delegates,

We have perceived goodwill on the half of delegations to contribute to the work of the three special coordinators who were designated during the presidency of Ambassador of Colombia Camilo Reyes. Such a designation was without any doubt an important practical step ahead whose effects should not be overestimated but should not be diminished either. At the same time as we unconditionally support the coordinators work, at the same time we are convinced that all possible efforts should continue to be made in order to try and advance in substantive issues, which are ultimately the main reason for the existence of this body. To turn our work on procedural issues into a sort of permanent substitute of CD substantive work should be avoided by all means. The CD procedures and methods of work can and should be improved but they should not be considered responsible for the lack of results in our work. Although its constant repetition make it an empty phrase, it is an unquestionable truth that the key is in the political will and the flexibility of all members of the Conference. We would not be able to make much progress without that.

This week we had the opportunity to carry out an interesting and useful exchange with the three Special Coordinators about the course of their work. I would like to congratulate them for their professionalism and dedication with which they are fulfilling their responsibilities. I would also like to take this opportunity to encourage all interested delegations that have not yet done so to contribute their opinions to the questionnaire prepared by the Coordinators. Bearing in mind the short time available it will be very difficult for the Special Coordinators to be able to conclude their work during this session. During our extensive consultations we have appreciated a wide divergence of opinions in reference to the convenience of ensuring the continuity of the Coordinators' work. To this end I would like to suggest the next president when preparing the draft of the CD annual report to consider the possibility of reflecting in it this convergence of opinion including a possible recommendation for giving continuity to the work of the Coordinators next year. In order to have the most objective possible assessment on the Coordinators' work it could be considered likewise to review the possibility of annexing interim reports of their work to the CD annual report. The CD is a body of vital importance and therefore it should be preserved in the present situation and it should be ready to act as soon as the necessary conditions emerge. It is not the moment to let pessimism prevail but to continue contributing with our common efforts to have this forum work in accordance with its very high responsibilities.

Distinguished Colleagues,

Before going allow me now to take this opportunity to say a few words as representative of Cuba. It is the position that a program of work in the CD should reflect present challenges and interests and priorities of the international community and not only those of a few countries. It is of real concern that the CD cannot move forward on substantive work including key issues such as nuclear disarmament and the prevention of an arms race in outer space due to the inflexible positions of some countries. On earth and in the world there are still thousands of nuclear weapons threatening the survival of humanity and we cannot powerlessly watch how such dangers are passed on to future generations. The top priority of nuclear disarmament cannot be unknown and disregarded and no one can assume that it is an issue to be discussed and solved behind the back of the international security. Pretext cannot continue being alleged for preventing the elimination of the possibility of a nuclear war and the threats derived from the very existence of nuclear weapons. Various recent examples such as the case of the Kyoto Protocol, the preservation of the ABM Treaty, the program of action of the UN Conference on Small and Light Weapons, the negotiations on the Verification Protocol to the Convention on Biological Weapons among others show that unless we do something in time we will run the risk of allowing unilateralism based on power to prevail and carry the day in the world. For many countries including mine, multilateralism has key importance and it should be preserved at all costs. We cannot remain indifferent and unconcerned given the real possibility that some powerful countries might even feel comfortable taking decisions, which affect us all in the field of disarmament outside the multilateral forum particularly the Conference on Disarmament. To achieve this is a paramount responsibility that all states have. Moreover, it is a task that will not be achieved without the valuable support of other players such as non-governmental organizations and the media. International public opinion should be aware of the risks that we all run and we need to act in order to avoid them.

Distinguished Colleagues,

Now I shall reassume my duties as President and I would like to conclude by expressing my gratitude once again for the countless expressions of support that we have received from delegations during our mandate. Nor could I fail to bear special tribute to all the Secretariat of the Conference, translators and other supporting staff due to excellent assistance that they give us in our work. We are particularly grateful to His Excellency Mr. Vladimir Petrovsky, Secretary General of the Conference with whom we had the opportunity to hold one of the most interesting meetings during our Presidency. To His Excellency Mr. Enriqe Roman Morey, Deputy Secretary General for his permanent concern and advice and others whose dedication and professionalism greatly facilitated our work. I wish the greatest of successes to the Distinguished Ambassador of Ecuador Mr. Roberto Betancourt who will assume his duties as President of the Conference next August 20th until December 31, 2001. It is unnecessary even to assure him that he can always count on the support and cooperation of our delegation. Thank you very much.