Reaching Critical Will

Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

Conference on Disarmament

General Assembly First Committee

UN Disarmament Commission

Special Session on Disarmament

Opening Remarks by Ambassador German Mundarain Hernandezof Venezuela to the Conference on Disarmament 19th August 2008

Unofficial Transcript

Distinguished Delegates
I wish to convey my appreciation to my predecessors in the post of President during the sessions of 2008. Ambassador of Tunisia Ambassador Samir Labidi, the Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcüof Turkey, the Ambassador Yevhen Bersheda of Ukraine, the Ambassador John Duncan of UK, and Ambassador Christina Rocca of United States.

My thanks are due to the tireless efforts which they have made to the work of the conference. Should also like to thank the secretary general, Mr Sergei Ordzhonikidze, and through the entire secretariat team for the support which they provide for our work.

It is also timely to place on record our appreciation of the valuable contribution made by the seven coordinators: Ambassador Juan Martabit of Chile, Japan, Ambassador Marius Grinius of Canada, Ambassador Babacar Mbaye of Senegal, Ambassador Petko Draganov of Bulgaria, Ambassador Dayan Jayatilleka of Sri Lanka, and to all the delegates of the CD.

Venezuela also greatly appreciates the honor over presiding over the conference on disarmament and takes pleasure in reiterating it’s commitments to the institutions and agreements which exists in the field of disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation.

We believe that the CD is an essential part of the multilateral system in the field and has been called onto play a major role in this historic period. The Conference on Disarmament whose birth and development were something of such impact must regain the path and develop the activities peculiar to it for the attainment of it objectives. We believe that activities are underway to make up for lost time and efforts to ensure that the conference can reflect the desire s of our people. This perception of growing strengthen reflects today is based on the growing interest in the subject matter and the expectations it gives rise to and the many dignitaries who have visited in recent times.

Distinguished delegates, now is the time of great political complexities reflected all around us. We have the task of living with complexities without losing sight of our objectives, strengthening the living order in the field of arms control. The mandate we have requires unswerving political will based on a dialogue which is constructive, transparent, participatory and capable of assessing all positions. The commitment to peace, disarmament, human rights to people obliges us to get the Conference out of the stall in which it finds itself.

We know we are living in great times of political complexity but we also know that multilateral bodies are inherently those places intended to work for peace and international security they are called to do so. To confirm the challenges and some uncertainties which threaten us, the CD annually approves the agenda reflecting the main issues in the field of disarmament and arms control.

Nuclear disarmament is regarded by many delegations as the very reason of the Conference. Indeed, the first resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly, contained an appeal for the elimination of nuclear weapons and until such time, that nuclear disarmament is achieved, it is necessary that negative security assurances be provided against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons against non nuclear weapons states. It is necessary to arrive at a consensus on the best means of ensuring that such guarantees are granted.

An important step towards disarmament and non proliferation would be represented by the negotiations, the signature and the going into force of the treaty on the prohibition of fissile materials for explosive purposes. While no delegation has refused to negotiate such an instrument, there are nevertheless, remain details on which consensus must still be achieved.

Preservation of outer space as the common heritage of mankind and the place for peaceful activities is a priority for the CD. Everything would suggest that it is necessary to strengthen the legal regime in order to guarantee that.

Distinguished delegates, among the responsibilities which Venezuela assumes with the post of the CD, is as a primordial undertaking to prepare and to present in October this year to the UN General Assembly, the report of activities carried out by the Conference on Disarmament during 2008.

We hope to carry out this responsibility with as full as possible range of consultations and a sense of humility and effectives. We trust on cooperation from all of you with the view to achieving a positive result. We will be presenting the draft Annual Report in accordance with rule 18 of the Conference on Disarmament Rules of Procedure within the timing and the terms specified therein.

Venezuela’s position with respect to the proposed program of work to be found in CD/1840 is prompted by the conviction that it can provide a basis for getting out of the stalemate. We are aware that difficulties in attaining consensus in such plural diverse bodies. That is why it is important to have a program of work which we can view as a minimal basis in emerging from this period of non action.

It would be the best mechanism for ensuring the strengthening and existence of our conference. We appreciate that all works of human beings can be improved and we are to invite all the members of the forum to enrich the proposed program of work, to refine it, to propose realistic and constructive and responsibility amendments, ones reflecting the concerns which we all hold in this regard. With respect to CD 18140, we suggest that all initiatives be regarded that this instrument forged by collective endeaouver should include all of us and with insurance that a program of work which has such characteristics will be robust enough to gain the trust it requires. No noe should feel excluded. Thanks to the steps taken this year. There are grounds for optimism if we compare the progress of the present with the achievements of the past and for that reason among others, we value and appreciate the contribution by the platform of the 6 presidents. We feel that this work has injected drive into the Conference, providing continuity, coherence, and participation to master consensus.

Distinguished delegates, we are convinced that progress has been made to overcoming obstacles and we have witness repeated appeals to push for final agreement, it is necessary to ensure that these context now have substance and it is essential that all of us contribute to it.

Thank you for your attention.