Reaching Critical Will

Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

Conference on Disarmament

General Assembly First Committee

UN Disarmament Commission

Special Session on Disarmament

Statement by Ambassador Itzhak Levanon of Israel to the Conference on Disarmament 14th August 2008

Madame President

As this is my last intervention to the Conference of Disarmament before I leave Geneva. I would like to thank you personally as well as my colleagues in the CD for the professional courtesy and personal friendship that have been extended to me during the last 4 years. Considered to be the best club in town, the Conference on Disarmament embraced me warmly. I am also grateful during these years to be able to witness first hand an interesting momentum that has occurred in the CD during my tenure here – the outstanding efforts exerted towards resuscitation of the negotiation process are an achievement in and of itself.

Some of you are no doubt skeptical when I speak about achievement. But everything is relative. Between the nothing and the everything there is always something. During our deliberations, we have demonstrated that the CD could potentially become an efficient instrument in the hands of international community to address global security issues. Member states have all made a significant effort to work towards a better understanding of national positions in their realm. At the same time the deliberations have emphasize the fact that for the states, working in the CD closely relates to vital security needs. And these national considerations must continue to be respected.
My dear colleagues I am very much of the opinion that striving to achieve a long time goals without addressing present ongoing threats, might be counterproductive. It is incumbent among members to work jointly towards creating conditions that would eventually allow general and complete disarmament.

In Israel’s view there are two fundamental threats to global peace and security that deserve to be placed at a higher priority within the CD -the threat of terrorism in all of its dimensions and the proliferation and transfer of weapons of mass destruction. These phenomena plague all regions in the world and should be treated in a comprehensive manner in order to avoid the creation of future conflicts internal and regional instability and above all not to harm civilian populations

Madame President
The consensus mode in the CD is crucial to such an important forum. It is the cornerstone of the world of Disarmament. I hope that during my tenure I have contributed to the active and sincere discussions towards consensus building in both formal and informal negotiations, in plenary sessions as well as within the western group.
I will depart with fond memories and working atmosphere which were present during Israel’s assumption. I hope that this will extend to other UN forums as well.

I personally wish you Madame President and all of my colleagues every continued success and express my thanks again.