PROLIFERATION SECURITY INITIATIVE

Geneva, 3 June 2004

Mr. President,

As I take the floor for the first time during your Presidency, let me congratulate you on the assumption of this high office. Let me assure you of my delegation’s full support to your endeavours as the President of this body.

Mr. President, Distinguished Delegates,

The purpose of my intervention today is to share with you information about the First Anniversary Meeting of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), which was recently organized by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kraków, Poland. The Statement
of the Chairman of that Meeting summarized well its goals and proceedings, and I will request the Secretariat to distribute it as an official document of the Conference. Please,
allow me now to read out that Statement:

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“The First Anniversary Proliferation Security Initiative (the PSI) Meeting took place
in Kraków, on 31 May - 1 June 2004. The Meeting was to commemorate the first anniversary
of launching the Initiative by the US President, George W. Bush in his speech at the Wawel Royal Castle in Kraków, on 31 May 2003. Thus, the Proliferation Security Initiative will
also be known as the Cracow Initiative.

The meeting brought together senior representatives from over 60 countries. The participation of a broad representation of countries across the globe in the Anniversary Meeting confirms the growing awareness of the danger of proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, related materials and their means of delivery. It also highlights the worldwide support of the PSI
and its Statement of Interdiction Principles.

The meeting was conducted under the patronage of Aleksander Kwasniewski, President
of the Republic of Poland.

During the meeting the Addresses by the President of the Republic of Poland, Aleksander Kwasniewski and President of the United States of America, George W. Bush,
were transmitted.

The aims of the meeting included emphasising the PSI as a global initiative, further development of international support for the aims and objectives of the PSI, and promotion
of broad international co-operation and participation in PSI activities. The Cracow Initiative
is not about structure and organisation, but operation and cooperation.

During one year the Proliferation Security Initiative has been transformed from a vision
into an active network of partnership and practical cooperation. Common principles have been defined. Interdiction capabilities developed and tested. Regional activities undertaken.

During the meeting, a series of presentations on the nature of PSI, its prospects, character, future development and outreach efforts were made. A special emphasis was made
on the extensive exercise program where many countries have actively participated.

It was stressed that the Proliferation Security Initiative is an important element in responding to the growing challenge posed by the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), their delivery systems, and related materials to or from states and non - state actors worldwide. It was further stressed that the PSI activities had to be consistent with national
and international law and frameworks.

The PSI builds on efforts by the international community to prevent the proliferation
of WMD, their delivery systems or related materials and complements existing treaties
and regimes. It is consistent with newly adopted United Nation's Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) of 28 April 2004. The UN Security Council Resolution states that the Council
is “gravely concerned by the threat of illicit trafficking in nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their means of delivery, and related materials". It calls upon all states “to take co-operative actions to prevent illicit trafficking in nuclear, chemical or biological weapons, their means of delivery and related materials" .

The transparent nature of the PSI activities was reiterated and the contributions from countries that share PSI concerns, principles and goals were welcomed. An emphasis was made that
the PSI is a global endeavour with an inclusive nature. It relies on the widest possible
co-operation between states around the world. This meeting showed the willingness
of strengthening and expanding this co-operation.

The meeting confirmed the importance of continued outreach efforts to build the PSI
and make it harder for proliferators to engage in this deadly trade. States participating were welcomed to engage in such co-operation as well as to undertake national action to identify law enforcement authorities and other tools or assets that could be brought to bear against efforts to stop proliferation facilitators.”
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Mr. President,

The need to adapt the non-proliferation policies and approaches to the new threats
and challenges is self-evident. One of the main tasks is not to allow falling the weapons
of mass destruction into the hands of terrorists. The co-operation of States in preventing such a development with all its unimaginable consequences and in ensuring the success
of non-proliferation arrangements is of fundamental importance.

It is therefore encouraging that the significant progress has been accomplished in building
a broad international support for the Cracow Initiative. Many countries, particularly in South East Asia and Central and Eastern Europe, participated in outreach activities. For example, almost 30 countries participated in the Warsaw PSI Information Meeting, in January 2004.
The Statement on Interdiction Principles was unequivocally supported by the European Union, as the principal purpose of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) complements
the objectives set out in the EU Strategy and Action Plan against the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction.

Poland welcomes the decision by the Russian Federation to join the PSI as a new member
of the core group. Russia’s involvement in the Initiative will strengthen the fight against
the spread of weapons of mass destruction. It also underscores the global character
of the Initiative and will undoubtedly give a new momentum for its further development.

Mr. President,

In his statement at the Kraków Meeting the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic
of Poland Mr. Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz stressed inter alia that “It was our very commitment to the effective multilateralism that was the driving force for Poland to actively engage in the undertakings within the framework of the Proliferation Security Initiative.
[…] we need to work constantly to broaden our Initiative and to include everyone with
the capacity and willingness to help fight proliferation, both internationally and regionally.
We should strive for improvement of operational information-sharing capabilities,
for addressing gaps in legal authority and for tightening controls over the export of nuclear material. The most important is, however, the fact, that the Proliferation Security Initiative
not only constitutes a platform for deliberation but also, more fundamentally, a practical measure aimed at a quick identification and the combating of breaches of international
non-proliferation standards as well as for creating an effective control system.”

Mr. President,

The effective actions against WMD proliferation are part of the overall non-proliferation system. As many delegations pointed out in this room – the non-proliferation
and disarmament are complementary and mutually reinforcing. Let me express my delegation’s deep conviction that the success of the non-proliferation efforts – like the PSI – will lead to the progress also in disarmament area. At the same time, let me stress that
the Cracow Initiative expands and develops first of all due to innovative thinking and political will. Let me express a strong belief, that also in this room we will be able to generate enough political will and innovative thinking to move the Conference on Disarmament
from its current stalemate.

Thank you, Mr. President.

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