Reaching Critical Will

Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

Conference on Disarmament

General Assembly First Committee

UN Disarmament Commission

Special Session on Disarmament

Statement by Ambassador Dayan Jayatilleka of Sri Lanka
to the Conference on Disarmament 25th January 2008

Unofficial Transcript

Thank you Mr President.

I would like to make clear that I speak on behalf of Sri Lanka rather than as the representative of G21.

Mr President, listening to my colleague from the Netherlands, I was wondering really whether the wisdom of the ages gives us all that much comfort because Heraclites did say “war is the master and father of all things” so that gives us very cold comfort in the conference on disarmament. I am not really sure therefore it is very helpful to quote selectively thinkers of past and present.

What I would like to draw attention is the fact that strivings in the field of nuclear weaponization are a symptom. They are symptom of insecurity – real or perceived. They are an epic phenomenon of sudden projects, of sudden efforts to maintain or gain positions or status. In other words, there are underlying reasons for the build up on proliferation of these awful weapons. It is incumbent upon us to be sensitive to those issues, concerns, dynamics of countries and among countries that result in this phenomenon we are trying to combat.

Now stemming from that consideration I am not at all convinced that a chorus of exhortation to climb on board the bandwagon is the most successful way to go. Because if sudden states (and here I agree with my colleague from China. All states have to be treated as equal partners in this endeavour). If certain states have misgivings which have prevented them from being able to side on to an otherwise worthwhile platform then they must be engaged constructively. Security guarantees must be extended. Their real underlying concerns must be addressed and the whole perspective must be one which is guided by the methodology or the attitude recommended by the ancients that of holism. Without a holistic perspective we will not be able to understand the phenomenon of all doubts so we need understanding, concern, wisdoms, patience, reaching out to these partners of us making modification if necessary, being flexible and drawing everybody in to our constructive pursuit.

Thank You.