Reaching Critical Will

Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

Conference on Disarmament

General Assembly First Committee

UN Disarmament Commission

Special Session on Disarmament

Statement by H.E. Mr Michael Smith

Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations and to the Conference on Disarmament, Geneva

2 February 2006

Mr President

As this is the first time that my delegation has taken the floor during your Presidency, may I welcome the enthusiasm and initiative you have brought to your office? I can assure you of my delegation’s full support for your efforts to reinvigorate this body.

In nine years, this Conference has failed to achieve much of substance. For my delegation, this state of affairs is a particular frustration and disappointment.

We have been one of the vast majority of delegations that has shown flexibility in supporting the various proposals for a program of work put forward during this period.

It is a great regret that the CD has not begun negotiation of a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty. This negotiation is long overdue.

States have a good understanding of the key issues after years of examination. An FMCT would make a vital contribution to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.

Australia believes a most effective FMCT would include appropriate measures to verify parties’ compliance with their obligations.

But the priority should be to start FMCT negotiations. Detailed aspects of the treaty, including the nature of any verification regime, should be left to that negotiation.

For this reason, Australia supports calls for the commencement of FMCT negotiations, without delay and preconditions.

But should the CD yet again fall short of this goal, we would support continued efforts to prepare for negotiation of an FMCT at the earliest possible time.

Mr President

In the nine years we have failed to agree a program of work, other threats to international security have gathered strength.

Of particular concern is the proliferation of Man Portable Air Defence Systems.

MANPADS are a legitimate weapon for states to possess in meeting their defence needs. But their transfer to and use by non-state actors threatens international peace and security.

Experience shows that non-state actors can obtain these weapons easily and cheaply.

And they have been used against some 40 civilian aircraft leading to some 600 deaths since the mid-1970s, according to some estimates.

The international community has taken steps to address this threat.

Australia, for example, has launched an initiative to encourage Asia-Pacific and other states to implement effective controls over the manufacture, storage and transfer of MANPADS.

Mr President

As we struggle to find consensus on a program of work in the CD, an international consensus on the need to prevent the illicit transfer of MANPADS already exists.

Just last year, the UN General Assembly adopted by consensus resolution 60/77 on the Prevention of the illicit transfer and unauthorized access to and use of man portable air defence systems.

In Australia’s view, this consensus provides an opportunity for the CD to examine the threat posed by the proliferation of MANPADS and develop measures to combat this.

In proposing MANPADS as an issue for the 2006 session of the CD, Australia does not intend to divert efforts to achieve agreement on a program of work.

But we also believe that the nine-year long inability of this Conference to find consensus on four issues should not prevent us from examining and even negotiating other pressing arms control and disarmament issues – all the more so where a consensus on the need for action exists.

It is our hope that by including MANPADS during its 2006 session, the CD will identify and develop measures to prevent the proliferation of MANPADS to non-state actors through their illicit manufacture, transfer and use.

To this end, I have written to you outlining our proposal and ask that my letter be distributed as an official document of the Conference.

I thank you.