Transcribed Opening Statement of the Ambassador of Cuba Mr. Carlos Amat Forés President of the CD to the Conference on Disarmament

Distinguished Delegates,
It is with great sorrow that we received news of the tragic earthquake that has afflicted Peru at the outset of this week and in successive days, which has caused great loss of life and grave damage. I do not doubt that 1 interpret your collective sentiments in expressing our solidarity and our condolences to the survivors and to the government and people of Peru on this sad occasion.
As most of you know, Her Excellency Ambassador Anne Anderson of Ireland will soon be leaving her duties as representative of her country to the Conference on Disarmament. During Mrs. Anderson's time here since July 1995, she has set out the position of her government with astounding skill and great elegance. And 1 would say at the same time with the simplicity that characterizes her. Her personal contribution to the collective effort and in particular her sensitivity to the aspirations of non-member states that have applied for admission to the Conference have been appreciated by all and have greatly contributed to the expansion of the Conference on two successive occasions. She had the honor to be the first representative of Ireland to the Conference on Disarmament when her country was admitted to full- fledged membership in 1999. On behalf of us all 1 would like to extend to Ambassador Anderson our very best wishes for success and personal happiness.
Moreover, I would like to announce that on my list of speakers for the plenary meeting today we have Ambassador Anderson and also the distinguished representative of Algeria.
But before giving them the floor may 1 be permitted to make an introductory statement on Cuba's assumption of the presidency of the Conference on Disarmament. Before addressing concrete aspects related to the way in which we plan to do our work during the presidency may 1 be allowed to make some general comments. First of all, 1 would sincerely like to extend my gratitude for the efforts made by all distinguished ambassadors who preceded me in these important duties. None of them have spared time or energy in trying to reach an agreement on the program of work of the Conference. If reaching the necessary consensus has not been possible it is obviously due to factors such as the current political, strategic and international security situation, which has direct repercussions for this unique multilateral negotiating body on disarmament and it can in now way be attributed to the responsibility of those who have led and managed our work. If the consensus in the Conference on Disarmament were directly proportional to the effort and dedication that its presidents display we would affirm that at this juncture we would be negotiating general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control. Upon assuming the presidency let me assure you that we are fully aware of the lofty honor and responsibility that this task implies. We will not spare any efforts either to try and carry this ship to safe harbor. If ultimately I will not assume the general saying that victory has many parents but defeat is an orphan. In either case the
responsibility will be entirely and completely collective. We recognize that the Conference on Disarmament is the unique multilateral negotiating body in the field of disarmament and arms control. Therefore, the international community has placed great hopes in it. The Conference on Disarmament has negotiated important international legally binding instruments that have constituted landmarks in the history of disarmament and non-proliferation. However, today it does not elude me that today as never before it is difficult for the Conference on Disarmament to reach the goals for which it was founded without setbacks. The pervading international situation in the field of disarmament and arms control as well as the increasing tendency to hegemonic unilateralism on the part of the world superpower have their direct replication in this forum and on the stagnation it is experiencing. At the same time 1 am among those who think that if the Conference on Disarmament did not exist we would be working to create it. This is a forum of absolute validity and relevance accumulating a capital of experience and knowledge in favor of the cause of disarmament that should not be wasted. In order to reinforce the substantial benefits that taking a step ahead in the field of arms control and disarmament will represent for international peace and security it will be necessary to have everybody's political will manifest with the spirit and determination of fulfilling responsibly what is already an imperative claim within the international community.

Turning to more specific considerations in connection with our work in the presidency 1 would like to state the following. 1 intend my work as President to carried out in the framework of my predecessor Ambassador Camilo Reyes. Ambassador Reyes upon concluding his mandate, leaves us an open way that confirms interest in reactivating the Conference on Disarmament. We will work towards advancing both the work of the three special coordinators and the substantive issues included in the Amorim proposal as contained in document CD/1624. I intend to carry out intensive consultations on the program of work on the basis of the abovementioned proposal, which 1 believe all member states in the Conference would like to preserve as the basis for further consultations with the aim of reaching agreement on a program of work. 1 also intend to carry out bilateral consultations with as many delegations as possible and naturally we are open to any suggestion, proposal or idea that could be useful for achieving consensus on the program of work. Obviously if the exchanges with the coordinators of the three regional groups and China will be decisive taken into consideration that they represent the positions and views of their respective groups. We will likewise maintain close coordination with all of you and I hope to receive your cooperation and support.
Before concluding 1 reiterate my gratitude to the distinguished ambassadors who have preceded me in the presidency. Very especially to our esteemed colleague Ambassador Camilo Reyes for his always useful and timely advice and suggestions, to Mr. Vladimir Petrovsky, SecretaryGeneral of the Conference, to Mr. Enrique Roman-Morey Deputy Secretary-General and to the whole staff of the Secretariat and the translators and interpreters our confidence we will continue counting on their valuable cooperation.