Reaching Critical Will

Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

Conference on Disarmament

General Assembly First Committee

UN Disarmament Commission

Special Session on Disarmament

January 26 2006

Statement by Ambassador Mine

(Structure of CD session 2006 )

Mr President,

As it is my first time to speak in the formal meeting of this session, Mr. President, let me congratulate you on your assumption of the presidency and I would like to assure you the full support and cooperation of my delegation in our common efforts.

I commend you for your initiative to bring together the six Presidents so that this year’s session will be smoothly carried out. I need not repeat the assessment of the current state of the CD. Everybody here knows the situation very well. However, I would like to emphasize that the view of the CD by outsiders has reached the point of no tolerance.

We all know each other’s position on the core issues and a programme of work. Consequently, achieving consensus on a programme of work has proven to be difficult. We may try once more to see if it is possible to reach agreement. But if it turns out impossible, we should not waste much time to discussing it. Rather, we must focus on deepening the work on the substance of issues.

I appreciate the rolling discussions to identify issues for the CD to deal with. It may be a fresh idea to take stock of the present situation and establish a good starting point.

Since the CD session is yearly, setting a timetable for the whole year well in advance is a minimum requirement. In any conference we have timetables. In order to hold substantial discussions on certain issues, each member needs time for preparation, such as consulting with their capital, drafting working papers or proposals, as well as dispatching experts. We need to know when certain issues will be discussed and in what manner. Some may consider setting specific timetables could hinder the flexible flow of discussion, but I believe that flexibility is already maintained in the rules of procedure (para 30). Any member can raise any issue related to the CD at any plenary meeting.

A timetable specifying these points is essential. Therefore, we appreciate the intention of the President to announce the timetable of this year within the period of his presidency, but we would appreciate it further if it could be done at the earliest possible date.

Thank you