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SSOD IV
Arguments and appeals for SSOD IV
Recent public appeals for SSOD IV:
Global
Action to Prevent War
Meeting of the Open-ended working group on SSOD IV
28 August 2007
On August 28, Waverly de Bruijn, International
Coordinator for Global Action to Prevent War, advised members on
Global Action's positions vis a vis disarmament and international
security and answered questions regarding the value of and NGO advocacy
for an SSOD IV.
Dear Mr. Chair, Distinguished panelists of the open-ended working
group, and fellow NGO colleagues,
I am pleased to be a part of discussions today as the representative
for Global Action to Prevent War. Indeed, discussions on the merits
and scope of a Fourth special session on disarmament are linked
rather closely with our organizational objectives. Founded in 1998,
we are an organization devoted to charting the course towards a
global climate where inter-state war and internal armed conflict
become increasingly rare and easily mitigated. Our broad and comprehensive
Program Statement is divided into phases over the next 3-4 decades
and deals with conflict prevention, strengthening the rule of law,
nuclear and conventional disarmament, and building a culture of
non-violence. The Program Statement is meant to enhance and mutually
strengthen the work of governments and NGOs on particular areas
of this larger program.
Specifically in the field of disarmament, I recognize that virtually
all agenda items put forth by member states for a possible fourth
special session on disarmament, from small arms and light weapons
to outer space, are addressed in the Global Action Program as disarmament
issues of vital importance. In particular, Global Action stresses
the important link between nuclear disarmament and mutually negotiated
reductions in national holdings of conventional weapons. The benefits
of this link are clear: by reducing the acquisition and holdings
of conventional weapons, states both free up significant sources
of funding which could be redirected into domestic health or education,
while building confidence in a global process of disarmament that
includes nuclear weapons.
It is this linkage that, were it addressed substantively in a 4th
special session on disarmament, would make a significant and valuable
step forward in an area of great concern that has not seen as much
attention in international disarmament machinery as it warrants.
A related area in which we feel a 4th SSOD could positively impact
current initiatives includes the creation of an Arms Trade Treaty.
The objective of establishing international standards for the import,
export and transfer of conventional arms has gained tremendous support
from governments and civil society in the past years, indicating
that it is an area where movement could significantly benefit all,
from communities to the national and international spheres. All
opportunities to discuss and determine common ground for steps towards
such a treaty are valuable and should be pursued.
Furthermore, a 4th SSOD should take up discussion on a Nuclear
Weapons Convention. Resources can be drawn from the 2007 revised
draft Nuclear Weapons Convention in the publication “Securing
Our Survival (SOS): The Case for a Nuclear Weapons Convention,”
compiled by the International Association for Lawyers Against Nuclear
Arms, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War
and the International Network of Engineers and Scientists Against
Proliferation. If an SSOD IV is formed, it is imperative that movement
towards nuclear non-proliferation is re-coupled with the obligations
to nuclear disarmament.
There are of course many factors to consider in assessing the feasibility
and timing of holding a 4th Special Session on Disarmament and it
is by no means an easy task. However challenging, a 4th Special
Session could offer a timely opportunity to move forward on a few
critical and unresolved areas of disarmament while “re-energizing”
processes in other disarmament machinery. Whatever the ultimate
outcome, the valuable lessons gleaned from this open-ended working
group should be conveyed formally and in as much detail as possible
to the General Assembly for review and deliberation.
I thank you all for your willingness and desire to serve in this
working group—Global Action to Prevent War will continue to
support comprehensive measures towards “General and Complete
Disarmament,” and is ready to assist you in your endeavor
to make recommendations towards the establishment of a preparatory
committee on a 4th Special Session on Disarmament.
Indonesia
on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement
UN General Assembly First Committee on Disarmament and International
Security
1 November 2007
During this year’s First Committee, many delegations reaffirmed
the validity of multilateral diplomacy in the field of disarmament
and non-proliferation. They expressed their determination to promote
multilateralism as an essential way to develop arms regulations
and disarmament negotiations.
In the Final Document adopted by consensus at the conclusion of
the SSOD I, the 30th anniversary of which we will be commemorating
next year, we stated, among others, that while the final objective
of the efforts of all States should continue to be general and complete
disarmament under effective international control, the immediate
goal is that of the elimination of the danger of nuclear weapons.
In spite of the best efforts of the international community, the
existing disarmament machinery has not produced adequate or satisfying
results. There is urgent need, therefore, for the revitalization
of the machinery and forum appropriately constituted for disarmament
deliberations and negotiations. This should begin with the strengthening
of the role and responsibility of the United Nations in the sphere
of disarmament, in accordance with The Charter. The way towards
this, we believe, is through the convening of the fourth special
session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament (SSOD-IV).
Mr. Chairman,
In our view, the convening of SSOD-IV is both timely and appropriate,
for the following reasons:
- It can set the future course of action and a balanced approach
to reaching a new consensus in arms control, disarmament, non-proliferation
and related international security matters, including a comprehensive
review of the disarmament machinery.
- There is a need to address the existing and new threats to international
peace and security in a comprehensive and transparent manner with
the broad participation of all Member States;
- In view of these unprecedented threat and challenges, concerted
multilateral efforts under the only auspices which offer the only
legitimate and lasting solutions has become imperative, and the
United Nations should play a more effective role;
- There is a general agreement among member states on the need
to revitalize the disarmament machinery, including the First Committee,
the UNDC and the CD. They cannot afford to allow its agenda to
remain deadlocked. Therefore, the disarmament agenda, as contained
in the Final Document of SSOD-I should be revived on an urgent
basis.
The draft resolution before us contained in document L.17 rev.1
calls for the convening of the Open-ended working group which
was established by resolution 60/61 of 6 December 2006 and for it
to hold its organizational session in order to schedule its substantive
sessions in 2008 and to subsequently submit a report on its work
before the end of the 62nd session of the General Assembly.
NAM continues to underline the necessity of working towards the
convening of SSOD IV, and reaffirms its strong support of that objective,
taking into account the constructive dialogue and active engagement
that have existed among Member States, including key delegations,
during the 2007 substantive sessions of the OEWG.
In this regard, NAM encourages all Member States to continue to
work closely and constructively and to fully utilize the forthcoming
substantive sessions of the OEWG to consider the objectives and
agenda of SSOD-IV and consequently to support draft resolution L.17
Rev.1.
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